From the Pugh
February 25, 2016 newsletter
The
Paschal candle is a large, white candle used at liturgy in the Western Rites of
Christianity (Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, etc.). A new Paschal candle
is blessed and lit every year at Easter, and is used throughout the Paschal
season which is during Easter and then throughout the year on special
occasions, such as baptisms and funerals.
The
flame of the Paschal candle symbolizes the eternal presence of Christ, light of
the world in the midst of his people; he who is the Second Person of the
Trinity, the Alpha and Omega. The Paschal candle is sometimes referred to as
the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle." The term
"Paschal" comes from the word Pesach, which in Hebrew means Passover,
and relates to the Paschal mystery of salvation.
Description of the Paschal
candle
For
congregations that use a Paschal candle it is the largest candle in the worship
space. In most cases today the candle will display several common symbols:
·
The cross is always the
central symbol, most clearly identifying it as the Paschal candle
·
The Greek letters alpha and
omega signify that God is the beginning and the end (from the Book of
Revelation)
·
The current year represents
God in the present amid the congregation
· Five grains of incense (most
often red) are embedded in the candle (sometimes encased in wax
"nails") during the Easter Vigil to represent the five wounds of
Jesus: the three nails that pierced his hands and feet, the spear thrust into
his side, and the thorns that crowned his head.
In the medieval church
Paschal candles often reached a stupendous size. The Paschal candle of
Salisbury Cathedral was said to have been 36 feet tall. Today, in the United
States and Southern Europe (e.g., Italy and France) the candle is approximately
2 inches in diameter and 36 to 48 inches tall; in Northern Europe the candle
tends to be shorter in height (19 to 24 inches) and wider in diameter (3 to 5
inches).
The
Paschal candle in the Easter Vigil
For churches that celebrate the Easter Vigil on
the night of Black Saturday, the ceremonial lighting of the Paschal candle is
one of the most solemn moments of the service.
On Maundy Thursday of the same week the entire
church is darkened by extinguishing all candles and lamps. This represents the
darkness of a world without God.
At the opening of the Easter Vigil a "new
fire" is lit and blessed. The minister will trace the symbols (mentioned
above) on the Paschal candle, saying words similar to: "Christ, yesterday
and today, the beginning and the ending. To Christ belongs all time and all the
ages; to Christ belongs glory and dominion now and forever. Amen."
The Paschal candle is the first candle to be
lit with a flame from this sacred fire, representing the light of Christ coming
into the world. This represents the risen Christ, as a symbol of light (life)
dispelling darkness (death). As it is lit, the minister may say words similar
to: "The light of Christ, rising in Glory, dispel the darkness of our
hearts and minds."
Typically, the worshiping assembly in school
then processes into the church led by the Paschal candle. The candle is raised
three times during the procession, accompanied by the chant "The light of
Christ" to which the assembly responds "Thanks be to God."
Following the procession the Exultet is chanted, traditionally by a deacon, but
it may be chanted by the priest or a cantor. The Exultet concludes with a
blessing of the candle:
Deacon
chanting the Exultet next to the Paschal candle:
Accept this Easter candle, a
flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God. (For
it is fed by the holy melting wax, which the mother bee brought forth to make
this precious candle.) Let it mingle with the lights
of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of this night! May the Morning Star which
never sets find this flame still burning: Christ, that Morning Star, who
came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all humanity, your Son,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
