The candle symbolizes a sacrifice to God, the Virgin, angels or saints. This is a kind of gift of a person that he brings to the holy temple. In church practice, there is a tradition of lighting candles and asking God or saints for something.
In the Orthodox church, you can put candles for both health and repose. The sacrifice brought to the church candlestick for the health of the living can be addressed to any holy person.
In order to put a candle for health, you must first find out where the corresponding candlesticks are located. In most Orthodox churches there is only one candlestick, where they put about repose (tetrapods). Its feature is that the area of the candlestick necessarily contains the crucifixion of Christ. For those who first went to the temple, it is recommended to ask in the church shop or parishioners what kind of candlestick is the requiem. The rest are for health candles.
Candlesticks are usually in front of holy icons. It is believed that whose image is depicted on the icon, they put candles on a particular candlestick. A pair of candlesticks can stand in the center of the temple on the sides of the lectern with a festive icon. It is believed that candles are put on these candlesticks in memory of the holiday that is celebrated in the Church.
Before you put a candle, you need to cross with your right hand with the three-pointed sign. First baptize the forehead, then the stomach, right and left shoulder. At this time, you can pray to yourself to whom you put a candle. If this is a saint, you can use the general prayer: "Pray of God for us, the holy servant of God (name of the saint), as we are zealously resorting to you, first aid and intercessor of our souls."
In addition, you can pray in your own words, asking for help for someone. At the same time, it is necessary to mention the name of the person for whose health we are praying. Having crossed, it is necessary to bow before the holy icon. Then they put a candle. You can slightly melt the bottom of the candle so that it sticks better to the candlestick. After the candle is placed, it is necessary to once again impose a sign of the cross and bow. Again, you can say a prayer in your own words with the content of the request.
Memorial candles are placed on a special candlestick in the same way as sacrifices for health. First, they are baptized with the words of a prayer for the repose of the soul of the deceased. Then they light a candle and are baptized again. You can pray for the departed with the following words: “God rest the soul of the deceased (her) slave (s) Thy (Yours) and forgive him (her) any sin free and involuntary and grant the Kingdom of Heaven.” In addition, you can pray in your own words.
