Paschal candle

The paschal candle is a large candle of bleached beeswax, which is consecrated and ignited in the liturgy of the Western churches ( Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran Church ), prepared at the beginning of the Easter Vigil at the Easter fire.

The Eastern churches use a so-called Trikirion ( τρικήριον ), three candles of unbleached wax that are tied crossed with a fabric belt. This Trikirion is used exclusively during the Easter Vigil. The Easter light is obtained in the chancel by an oil candle until next Easter.

History

The custom of lighting a special candle at Easter, is very old. The oldest written records date back to the fourth century ( 18 letter of St. Jerome to the deacon Präsidius of Piazenza from the year 384 ). This custom is linked to a pagan tradition. To worship in ancient times belonged to the victim a hymn in which the deity was praised, who was the victim. The Easter candle is originally a burnt offering, and the Paschal hymn, the Exsultet (this name is derived, similar to other prayers, from the first word of the Latin text from ), a hymn is similar, but actually sung a homily. In addition to actually quite forgotten pagan origin, perhaps only known in the form of the Olympic flame us, its own interpretation of the Easter Candle soon developed. In the pure "body" of the candle made ​​of expensive, bleached beeswax you saw a metaphor for the human nature of Christ or his transfigured body after the resurrection, while To interpret the flame as a sign of his divine nature. The flame should not be fueled by burning, malodorous animal bodies, but of pure, fragrant elements ( beeswax, oil and papyrus, which was used for the wick ). The Easter candle is thus a burnt offering, which is offered to God in the liturgy and can be compared with other sacrificial rites.

Production

The candle is drawn from liquid wax. No later than mid-second century were wax candles so well developed that they could be used in enclosed spaces without being annoying by carbon blacks and unpleasant odor. The material from which the candle is especially appreciated in the Easter Proclamation ( " Because the flame is fed by the melting wax, which has prepared for this candle to the diligence of the bee. " ) Beeswax was considered very precious, because it is associated with hard work and was due to the diligent and virgin " mother bee ". Thus, the diligence of the bee is praised in detail, at least in the original version of the Gallican Easter praise and rightly so.

Symbolism

The Easter candle is in connection both with paganism, because of their origin, as well as with Judaism. It is considered a pure offering to God and is the pillar of fire of the New Covenant. As today the people of Israel pass over time through the desert and through the Red Sea, followed by the pillar of fire, so pull the Christians at the Easter Vigil in the Church and follow the burning flame of a candle, sign of the risen Christ.

For centuries the Easter candle was decorated with flowers and leaves. Because of their size, it represents the new Tree of Life dar. The old enemy, death, has triumphed on the tree itself was defeated on the tree. The usual symbols, cross, date, and "Alpha" () and "Omega" () (first and last letter of the Greek alphabet ), only appear on the end of the 9th century. Today's standard red or golden wax nails, symbols for the wounds of Christ, the ancient tradition of the Easter candle are foreign. If the Easter candle is lit and the reputation Lumen Christi sounds, that is the sign that death must yield to life and the darkness before the light.

Liturgy

Most the Easter fire is kindled in front of the church. The deacon or priest says the prayers for the consecration of the Easter fire and the preparation of the paschal candle and lit it with the help of a wick and light the Easter fire. He then pulls the Easter candle under the triplicate reputation Lumen Christi ( German version: " Christ, the Light " ) before the congregation in the still dark church. The community will answer with " Deo Gratias " ( thanks be to God). After that, the Easter candle is placed on the candlestick in the sanctuary next to the ambo, and the deacon or the priest sings the Easter Proclamation.

From the Easter candle, starting the light is passed on to the celebrants who bring their own candles and hold the Easter Proclamation and in the renewal of baptismal promises in his hands: the light and the warmth of Christ will kindle the hearts of the faithful. In particular, the own candle reminds the faithful to their baptism and mission to live as " children of light ". On Ascension Day, the Easter candle is extinguished in some places according to the Gospel, to make symbolically divorcing Christ from the earth and the movement up in the sky clearly. The candlestick with the Easter candle is everywhere during the Easter season in the chancel; after Pentecost, it is placed in the baptistery. At christenings to kindle her the baptismal candle, at weddings, young woman Harriers, disguises and solemn religious vows the candle of the revelers is lit from the Easter candle. At the funeral ceremony, the Easter candle stands at the coffin of the deceased.

Until the Holy Week Reform of the Roman Rite was a candlestick on Easter fire (similar to the Byzantine practice) with three candles lit (which should symbolize the three women weeping at the grave ). This chandelier deacon or the priest entered the church and raised him under the vocals Lumen Christi. When Exsultet the deacon interrupted the singing at two fixed locations to five grains of incense inserted into the prepared holes of the Easter candle and to ignite at the Easter fire brought from her candlestick; only after their light has been passed on to other candles in the room.

Easter candles are found increasingly in evangelical churches. These are, unlike the custom in the Roman Catholic Church, usually set fire to the whole church year in worship.

In many places there are very skillfully crafted Easter candlestick for the Paschal candle.