Since those ancient times, when Christianity, having stepped beyond the borders of Palestine, illuminated many countries and continents with its unfading light, a candle has become an integral attribute of the sacred rite, regardless of where it was performed - in a temple or at home. At the same time, her fire always personified the warmth and light of the human heart, filled with love for the Lord, His Most Pure Mother and those saints before whose images it was kindled.

Words coming from the heart

However, it should be remembered that a person who lights candles for health (or peace) with a cold and indifferent heart is like a pagan making a sacrifice and expecting to receive reward for this. In order not to fall into such a grave sin, you should first of all direct your feelings and thoughts to the one whose image is captured on the icon, and then say a prayer with reverent awe.

And it doesn’t matter whether her words are taken from any liturgical book, say, the “Prayer Book,” or born in her own heart, the main thing is that they are sincere and filled with deep faith. If it is not there, but the soul longs to find it, one should prayerfully ask the Lord to grant this highest grace, without which a person is not able to become a partaker of eternal life.

What every parishioner should know

In addition, you need to know how to light a candle for health in church or at home, and understand what this tradition, which has passed through centuries, entails. It is also useful to have an idea of ​​in what cases and to which of the saints it is customary to light a candle in order to fully receive the grace that gives mental and physical strength to us and our loved ones.

And it is even more necessary to know how to behave in those cases when external circumstances, for example, an extinguished candle, become a reason for their interpretation in the light of certain popular beliefs, sometimes filled with superstition, completely alien to church teaching. Despite the fact that there are no specific rules dictating the order of how to light a candle for health in the church, there is a tradition that has been established since ancient times and consecrated by the names of the holy fathers of the church.

Where should I start?

Usually, upon entering the temple, the first candle is placed on a candlestick located near the images of the Savior and His Most Pure Mother. As a rule, it is located in the central part of the room. In many churches it is also customary to place the first candle in front of a particularly revered icon.

It is also recommended that before lighting a candle for the health of any particular person, light it in front of the image of his heavenly patron, of course, if he is in the church, and only after that move on to the icon (or icons) before which a prayer service will be performed for getting rid of illnesses. This rule fully applies to those cases when candles are lit for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

According to the Orthodox tradition, on which the entire order of our sacred rites is based, prayers for health, as well as for any other needs, are offered before the icons of the Most Holy Theotokos and Her Eternal Son - our Lord Jesus Christ. Candles are placed in front of them. However, it should be remembered that the Savior gave grace to His saints to intercede before Him for that help to people in which they themselves succeeded during the days of earthly life.

That is why, when asking yourself the question of which icon to light a candle for health, you should choose the saints who were once famous for healing not only human souls, but also bodies. Among them, the most famous is rightfully the holy healer and great martyr Panteleimon. Let us dwell on this name and in a few words tell you about what has earned him unfading fame.

Holy healer Panteleimon

Born in 275 in Nicomedia (Asia Minor), which was then mired in paganism, the future saint in his youth became a student of the famous physician Euphrosynus. Under his tutelage he learned the secrets of human flesh and became such a skilled healer that he brought him closer to the court. Despite the idolatry that reigned around him, he early joined the Christian faith, the preacher of which for him was the future great martyr Presbyter Ermolai, who secretly lived in Nicomedia.

Having been baptized, Panteleimon set out on the path of free service to the suffering, whose ailments he healed without demanding any payment. He often visited prisons, where he provided assistance to prisoners, among whom there were many Christians. With his art, supported by the grace of God, he saved them from physical and mental torment.

However, soon the pagan emperor became aware of the true faith professed by Panteleimon, and he handed him over to the executioners in order to force him to renounce Christ, but his efforts were in vain. The holy great martyr, having endured all suffering, ended his earthly journey and found eternal life. For the firmness in faith and dedication with which Saint Panteleimon healed the sick, the Lord always inclines His ear to his intercessions for those who pray for the sending of mental and physical strength. That is why it is recommended to light candles for health in front of the image of the holy healer and great martyr Panteleimon.

Saint Luke of God

Another saint for whom it has become a tradition to light candles for his health is St. Luke, canonized among the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia. In the world his name was Valentin Feliksovich Voino-Yasenetsky. Having graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of Kyiv University in 1904, over the years of medical practice he gained fame as an outstanding surgeon who gave life to many thousands of his patients. His scientific works, written almost a century ago, have not lost their relevance to this day.

But Valentin Feliksovich dedicated his life not only to the healing of human bodies. Being a deeply religious man, he combined medicine with ministry. Having been ordained to the priesthood, he took the name Luke and, without stopping work in the hospital, already in the rank of archbishop he headed the Tambov, and then

The heyday of his spiritual activity fell in the 30s, that is, the period in which the godless authorities waged an anti-church struggle with particular cruelty. Saint Luke repeatedly became a victim of repression and spent almost 11 years in camps and exile. In 2000, for his religious asceticism and for his work in healing the sick, he was numbered in the Russian Orthodox Church.

The answer to this question can be obtained by opening chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew. There, in verse 44, the commandment of the Lord is set out, in which He commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who offend us. Only such all-encompassing love will help people become true sons of the Heavenly Father, who commands the sun to equally send its rays to all people - both good and evil.

These words of the Savior are one of the expressions of the greatest humanity inherent in Christianity and not known to any other religion in the world. Accordingly, the candle lit for the health of the enemy is our fulfillment of God’s commandment.

How to place a candle correctly?

Sometimes people who rarely attend church do not know how to light a candle for health. This is a simple matter, but you still need to know the basic rules. First of all, you should approach the icon, which depicts the image of the one to whom the prayer will be addressed, and make the sign of the cross. As mentioned above, this could be our Savior Jesus Christ, His Most Pure Mother or the saints who became famous for their intercession for us before the Throne of God.

You can light the brought candle either from a lamp or from any other candle. Let us immediately note that the popular opinion that there are some prohibitions on this matter (for example, that you cannot light it from a lamp) has no basis.

After the fire has ignited, you should choose a free place in the common candlestick, and it does not matter on which side you place the candle for your health. By bringing its lower end to the flame of one of the burning candles, you should soften it a little. After this, the candle is placed in the chosen place, and this is done in such a way that it does not come into contact with those standing nearby and does not fall.

and about myself

The next part of the ritual, the most important, is the prayer offered to the saint to whom the candle is placed. The importance of putting sincerity and faith into the spoken words was already mentioned at the beginning of the article. Let us only note that upon completion of the prayer one should not immediately move away from the icon and be embarrassed by the external manifestations of surging emotions, for example, tears appearing in the eyes. You need to slowly make the sign of the cross and make a deep bow. After this, you can step aside, giving way to other worshipers.

According to the tradition accepted in Orthodoxy, you can light a candle for yourself, but this should be done at the very end, after the candles have been lit and prayers have been said for the health of relatives, friends and even enemies. The entire ritual ends with the reading of the prayer “Our Father” before the image of the Savior.

Afterword

We often hear the question of whether it is possible to light a candle for good health at home? The answer to this is beyond doubt: of course, it is possible, since believers perform home prayers only in front of consecrated icons, which have the same grace-filled power as those in the church.

At the end of the article about how to light a candle for health, I would like to refute one false opinion. It exists among people who, although they attend church, are nevertheless prone to superstition. You often hear from them that if the candle for health goes out, then this is a bad omen.

We can say with complete confidence that such a statement is an idle fiction, since nowhere - neither in the Holy Scriptures, nor in the writings of the church fathers - is this mentioned. For the most part, the reason for this is a bad wick or simply a draft.

A person who has once been baptized is always interested in various rules in the church, for example, how to properly light a candle for the repose? The first thing you need to know is that in any church there is an eve or eve table for this. This place is not so difficult to find, because above it or it has an icon of the crucified Christ. Most often the location is on the left side right at the entrance. But there are also churches in which there is no special place for commemorating the dead; you can go up and do everything at any icon. But the main thing is to think about this person and don’t come with your head full of problems, leave everything at the door.

Competent ordering of a candle for the repose of the dead?

So, your goal is to come to church and remember the dead with the help of a candle:

• You need to go up to the icon of the Crucifixion of the Lord and cross yourself twice correctly.
• You need to light the candle correctly, you cannot use a lighter for this, there is always a special fire in such a place or an already burning candle, take advantage of this.
• Next, you need to place the lit candle in the available free space, but so that it does not come into contact with others.
• But at the same time you will need to know a small prayer, often they are available near this place, but if not, then prepare a small one and remember the deceased for whom you came.
• After this procedure, cross yourself calmly and slowly, repeat everything if necessary. Once you've done everything, you can leave.

This procedure is simple, so there is no need to fuss, remember about the deceased person and then it will be easy for him. After the death of a person, you can begin to light such candles. But do everything correctly, if you don’t know something, just go to the grandmothers in the temple, they will always explain everything and give advice, and then you can do everything correctly yourself.

There are some more customs and subtleties that everyone should adhere to when visiting a temple and lighting candles:

• All people should have knowledge of where to light candles for different people.
• You can also place a memorial at any icon.
• If there is a Crucifixion of the Lord, then this is definitely the eve of repose, but it is not always there, for this reason it can be placed on any existing icon.
• How many candles can you put? There is no counting in this, you can do it every day and in the amount you think is needed. They are placed differently, one for all the deceased, but their names must be mentioned in prayer, or one for each, also with prayer.
• You can approach the icon from any side and place a candle.

When visiting a temple, dress appropriately, do not make noise or use foul language within the walls. Behave with dignity, as this is the holiest of holies and everyone should remember and honor it!

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The custom of placing a candle in front of an icon is very ancient. Everyone knows that this should definitely be done, but not everyone knows about the reasons why this ritual is performed. One of the first divine commands to Moses from the Lord was to build a lamp with seven lamps. And after this, services were often held by candlelight. But the meaning of this is much deeper than just illuminating the place where services were held, although during the period of persecution of Christians, when they had to hold their meetings secretly, the light of a candle really became a guide.

This ritual of lighting a candle has many meanings. The light from it is the divine light that Jesus brought into the world. The life of people in sin and ignorance is darkness, which the Savior will dispel. Likewise, a candle with its radiance drives away the darkness around. Pure wax, from which candles are made, is a symbol of the fact that a person repents of his sins and is ready for obedience before the face of God. Speaking about how to place candles correctly, it is worth starting with the fact that this should not be done automatically, but with awareness and with a feeling of love in the heart for the one to whom the candle is placed. When you buy a candle in a temple, it becomes your voluntary offering, a symbol of your faith and love. Candles are lit for health and peace. “For the repose” are usually placed in the church on a special memorial table - eve, in order to honor the good memory of a person who has passed on to another world. Candles “for health” are lit for various reasons: in gratitude for something, to help with a difficult decision, before a serious trip, a risky undertaking, and so on. Often

The question arises: which icons and which saints should we light candles for? Of course, the main thing is the emotions and thoughts with which the candle is lit. With kind thoughts and love in your heart, you can light a candle for a person to an icon of the Savior or the Virgin Mary. Your good wishes will be heard. If you don’t just want to light a candle for a person, but express special wishes, you need to decide which saints to light the candles for. So, for example, if you are worried about a loved one suffering from a disease, pray in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Healer”, with which you can light a candle. If a person has taken the path of alcoholism, then a candle can be placed on the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon. Knowing what miraculous properties are endowed with certain holy images, you will know which icons to light candles in order to protect, preserve and help your loved ones in difficult times and difficult life decisions. They often light candles for their patron saints. If you have personalized icons in your home, you can light a candle and pray to your guardian angel.

What do candles mean and why are they placed in the temple?

A candle is a symbol of prayerful burning before the Lord, His Most Pure Mother, and before the holy saints of God.

A candle is a sign of voluntary sacrifice to God and His temple and a symbol of a person’s involvement in the divine light.

A burning candle is a visible sign that expresses ardent love and goodwill towards the one to whom the candle is placed. And if there is no this love and favor, then the candles have no meaning, the sacrifice is in vain. Therefore, you cannot light a candle formally, with a cold heart. External action must be accompanied by prayer - at least the simplest one, in your own words. The fire of a candle symbolizes eternity, a prayerful appeal to God, to the Mother of God, to the saints. The fire always rushes upward, no matter how the candle is tilted, so a person, in any life circumstances, must turn all his thoughts and feelings to God.

Many people are interested in how to light candles for health in church. You cannot light candles formally or for show; you must pray, even in simple words spoken to God in a conversational manner. A lit candle is a sign of a person’s love for God and the saints. If there is no love and reverence, mere formality will not bring any benefit.

Is it possible to light a candle for your health: what the saints said.

Which icons should we light candles for health?

One of the most common questions is whether it is possible to light a candle for one’s health. Yes, you can have your own guardian angel at the icon, but you need to do this sincerely and with all your heart. They also give credit for the health and needs of the Savior, the Mother of God and those saints who are endowed by God with a special gift to heal illnesses and help in human troubles.

Knowing which icons to light candles for health, and when lighting the fire, you need to pray for your need, be sure to name the name of the saint in front of whom the candle is placed. It is advisable to know the biography of the saint in front of whom the candle is placed. Many, except for the name, cannot say anything about this or that saint. How can you love saints without knowing who they are and what kind of lives they lived?

How to put it?

Subsequence:

1. First, they quietly approach the image of the saint and cross themselves twice.

2. Then carefully light the candle from the lamp, making sure that the wax does not drip into the lamp. You can light your own candle from other people's candles.

3. Place the lit candle in a free place, securing it so that it stands firmly and does not lean against others.

4. At the same time, they slowly and thoughtfully read a prayer that is applicable to the occasion, for loved ones, themselves or enemies.

After prayer, they quietly step aside or continue to light candles for other people.

People often ask why they light candles for the health of enemies. The Bible tells us to pray for those who offend us and persecute us, for those people who offend, harm and hate us. Prayer is great power. It can bring a person back to God and change his heart.

Many people think that by lighting a candle in church, they have fulfilled their duty to God. Meanwhile, in ordinary life such people do not remember God and the saints at all. It doesn’t matter who you light candles for health. For this you need.

The flame of faith is symbolized by every candle lit in the temple. Its flame becomes not just a physical process of oxidation of the materials that make up the wick and wax - Grace is present in it. On the day of Holy Easter it acquires special properties and does not burn, but at other times its significance is also great.

Why do you need to know this?

An unchurched person often strives with his soul for consolation. But in those moments of life when he experiences grief, embarrassment often occurs to him. He sometimes doesn’t know how to light candles in church and is very embarrassed about it. Unfortunately, in almost any temple there is an overly zealous advocate for the correct execution of rituals.

His comments may add to the unease experienced by those who come here infrequently. The conversation about the sinfulness of such behavior is special, because this is how pride manifests itself. Alas, it is usually difficult to re-educate such “guardians,” but it is possible and necessary to give advice to new parishioners on how to light candles in church.

Tip one - about clothes

In order not to provoke comments, you should dress appropriately. Women should cover their heads, cover their arms, and the skirt should be below the knees. The use of cosmetics is highly undesirable. The requirements for men are less strict, but extravagance should still be avoided.

Tip two - how to enter the temple correctly

It is better to come to church, once such a decision has been made, not when it is convenient, but before the start of the service. Having entered it, you should cross yourself three times, then buy candles. Now is the time to put them up.

Advice three - for health or for peace?

A.P. Chekhov has a funny story about an old woman who was always confused about who to pray for. To prevent this from happening, it is better to think in advance about how many candles you will need. You can get by with two: one for the living, the other for the dead. It is not difficult to determine where to place candles in church for each of these occasions. Candlesticks have two main shapes - round and rectangular. In the first place they light candles for health, in the second - for peace.

Tip four - how to light candles in church

There are no special rules strictly describing how to light a candle in a church. This can be done either with the right or left river. The main thing is not to rush. You need to put faith, hope and love into this action. If the candlestick is filled with sand, then everything is very simple. If it is metal, then the bottom of the candle should be heated below, having previously ignited it from a lamp or other already burning wicks. This can be done not only before the service, but also during it. You just need to not interfere with other parishioners’ prayers.

Tip five - in case there is nowhere to put the candle

It happens, especially on patronal feasts, that all the candlesticks are occupied. How to light candles in church in this case? Under no circumstances should you worry about this, much less get angry. The candle should simply be placed on the edge of the candlestick or close to it. It will definitely be installed by other believers or ministers as soon as the place becomes available. All that remains is to be glad that there are so many parishioners in the church, and their faith is so strong.

Tip six - do as everyone else does

This recommendation concerns not only how to light candles in church, but generally all behavior in church. Most parishioners, including the above-mentioned guardians of the purity of faith, do not have a theological education, and at best know only the basic provisions of the service. Therefore, if a remark is made, there is no need to be offended by it. It is best to thank such an enlightened person and express joy over the knowledge gained. It is precisely this reaction that characterizes those who have delved into the very essence of Orthodoxy.