For health in the church. How to light candles for health in church: rules and signs

A person comes to church to pray to God and ask him for help, protection, and some benefits. A believer says a prayer with a lit candle. What is a candle? What's the point? In which candlestick and for what occasion should candles be placed? These are the most common questions that arise for a person who enters the temple for the first time.

Why do they put candles?

A candle is the oldest symbol of prayer and fiery faith. Even the first Christians used candles in worship for lighting and to pray. At first they were lit during the reading of the Gospel. Then they began to place them in front of the relics of the martyrs, in front of the icons of the Savior and the Mother of God.

Usually candles are lit for health and peace.

Candles about yourself, about the well-being of loved ones and relatives, acquaintances can be placed on any candlestick located in the temple, except one. This candlestick looks like a rectangular table with a crucifix and is called kanun. Candles are placed on it to commemorate the repose of deceased relatives, friends and acquaintances.

Candles for health are placed for various reasons:

before an important trip, for example, if there is a long journey ahead;
as gratitude to God and the saints:
for help in resolving any questions, life situations, etc.;
before a risky, responsible event;
for the health of loved ones and friends;
You can pray in your own words - thank God for something or ask for something. It should be remembered that the candle itself will not fulfill all wishes. You need a certain attitude towards prayer, you should monitor your emotions.

What is the meaning of church candles?

The candles that believers buy in the temple carry several spiritual meanings:

1. Since a candle is purchased, it is a person’s voluntary sacrifice to God and his temple;

2. A candle is a testimony of faith, a person’s communion with the divine light, and the wax from which it is made personifies a person’s repentance for his sins;

3. A candle expresses the warmth and flame of a person’s love for the Lord, the Mother of God, an Angel or a Saint, at whose face the believer places his candle.

A candle placed without prayer or on the advice of a psychic will have no power, it is just a piece of wax.

How to properly place candles in a temple?

When we want to light a candle, we must remember that we are not alone in church. There are times during the service when you cannot light candles at all. If there are many people praying in the temple, then it is better to give the candle to someone who is closer to the candlestick and who will be more convenient to place this candle. This is better than squeezing through, pushing, or even provoking a conflict. The candle is placed on a candlestick, making the sign of the cross; then they read a prayer and ask God for their needs.

Health candles are usually placed on high-standing round candlesticks. About the repose - on square candlesticks with a crucifix, eve.

You cannot light a candle with matches or a lighter. You need to light it from a nearby candle, and then scorch the bottom of the candle and place it in the cell. It is not recommended to light a candle from a lamp. Because wax falls into the lamp and you have to clean it. Also, do not drip wax into the cell where the candle is placed - it will not hold well and the candle will fall.

Which saint should I light candles for?

Firstly, this is your personal icon or the icon of your Patron Angel. If your name is George, then most likely your icon will be St. George the Victorious. If your name is Andrey, then most likely your patron is Andrey the First-Called. If you doubt or do not know your heavenly patron, then go to the priest and he will tell you which image to pray to.

Secondly, the most common icons in front of which they place candles and pray for health are the icons of the Mother of God and the Savior.

You need to understand what you want to ask for. If you want to protect your loved ones and heal them from illnesses, then pray to the “Healer” icon of the Mother of God. The holy martyr Boniface will also help. If one of the relatives suffers from alcoholism or drug addiction, then they light a candle to the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon. After you have lit the candle, pray to the icon.

A candle is lit to Saints Peter and Fevronia when they ask for blessings for marriage, to strengthen family ties. In front of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Feodorovskaya” they pray for the gift of children to infertile spouses. They pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for dead unbaptized babies.

For toothache they light a candle to the holy martyr Antipas. If you have poor vision, you should pray to the holy great martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki. In case of family troubles, prayer to Saints Boris and Gleb will help.

What does a burning candle mean?

A burning candle indicates that a prayer directed to God will be heard. This is a symbol of the eternity of everything spiritual, a symbol of divine light and the aspiration of the soul towards God. No matter how much you tilt the candle, the flame will still be directed upward. Likewise, a Christian must, overcoming difficulties along his path, try to get closer to the Lord.

When should you light candles?

Candles are placed before the start of the Liturgy or All-Night Vigil. It doesn’t matter whether you pray for health, peace, thank God for something, or remember the dead, be sure to light a candle. You cannot light candles while reading the Holy Gospel and reading some Psalms. The candles are usually left on the candlestick until the end of the Gospel reading, and then the temple employees light them. If all the cells are occupied, you can also place a candle on the candlestick.

How many, by whom and how should candles be lit in church?

There are no strict rules here that a person must light two candles, three or five. The sequence is also not regulated. This is purely individual - everyone decides for themselves. The main thing is for a person to leave all his affairs, thoughts, problems outside the threshold of the temple and remain in a prayerful state of mind.

Is it possible to hold a burning candle and stand with it during a service?

They usually stand with a lit candle in their hand at a memorial service or at the sacrament of Unction. You need to make sure that the wax from the candle does not fall on the floor and try not to burn the person standing in front.

Who should I light a candle for remission of sins to?

The repentant Psalm 90 is read, candles are placed in front of the icon of the Savior. Only God forgives sins during the sacrament of confession. Therefore, it is necessary to go to confession to a priest. The candle itself will not forgive any sins.

Is it possible to light a candle for a newborn child who is sick but has not yet been baptized?

You can light a candle for anyone and in any quantity, with prayer and reverence. You cannot submit health and death notes for unbaptized children. The Church does not pray for the unbaptized. If a child is very ill, it is necessary to give him communion, pray to the Mother of God or Ponteleimon the Healer.

Which icon should I light a candle for before surgery?

Before visiting a doctor, you should first go to confession and receive communion. Before the operation, you can order a magpie for health, this means that prayers will be read for you during forty services. It is necessary to pray before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “The All-Tsarina”, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Matrona. After recovery, it is worth ordering a thanksgiving prayer to the Lord or to the saints to whom you called in prayer and lit a candle.

Is it possible for a pregnant woman to light candles for her repose?

The Church does not prohibit this. With her position, a parishioner does not desecrate the temple in any way - on the contrary, it is even welcomed. All parishioners, regardless of age and gender, should pray for the repose of loved ones and relatives.

Who should light candles for prosperity in business?

If a person wants to receive a blessing from the Lord for a good deed, work, or improve his family well-being, then he must remember the commandments that God gave to man. “Love your neighbor as yourself” - this is said in the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, a person must learn to treat others with love, do more good deeds, and then the Lord will appreciate and reward each of us according to our deserts. About well-being in business or, for example, about a successful road, you can

light a candle and pray to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. Saint Nicholas of Myra has long been considered the patron saint of Russia and is revered in our country.

Is it possible to light candles for the tragically dead unbaptized and about the unbaptized?

For people who died without baptism, you cannot submit church funeral notes, order a memorial service, or have a funeral service in church. But you have the right to light a candle and pray for the deceased.

Is it possible to light candles for health and peace on Easter?

You can always light candles and pray, but prayers for the departed on Easter and Bright Week are not performed in church - they are moved to the second Tuesday after Easter.

Is it possible to put candles purchased in another temple?

It is possible, but this happens extremely rarely. Why carry candles with you when you can buy them right there in the church. It should be remembered that a purchased candle is a sacrifice to the temple.

What to do with candles after lighting eggs and Easter cakes?

Place it in front of any icon, for example the Mother of God or the Savior. You can also take it with you and light it during home prayer.

Why do they remove candles that have burned down to half, since money was paid for them?

Due to the large number of people who want to light candles, the temple servants remove the candles that have not completely burned out. This prevents the candlestick from getting dirty and leaves free space for new candles. But do not worry - the Lord has already accepted your sacrifice.

When is incense used? Can I use it at home?

Frankincense has long been famous for its miraculous properties. In the old days it was worth its weight in gold. Incense is designed to ward off evil spirits and is used in all services, as well as during funeral services for the dead. When lighting an apartment or house, priests also use incense. You can use incense during home prayer. Its lighting can be seen as a reminder to all Christians of the duty to serve God with a pure heart and ardent faith in Him.

Is it possible to use candles during menstruation?

During menstruation, a woman or girl is allowed to light candles, participate in worship, and confess. You cannot take communion, but this is a controversial issue. You should consult a priest and act according to his advice.

1. There is no point in buying candles in advance or in another temple. In every church there is a department or church shop where they sell candles, icons and spiritual literature. Buy here - it's a sacrifice to the temple. Approach the icon and cross yourself twice, then light a candle.

2. The size of the candle is not important for prayer. The difference in price for candles does not matter: be it a candle for 15 rubles, or a candle for 100 rubles. God cares about sincere prayer and repentance for your sins.

3. The candle should be lit before the start of the service. This is done in order to avoid jostling and distracting other parishioners during general prayer.

4. The candle is lit from the one standing next to it, then the bottom of the candle is scorched and placed in the cell of the candlestick. It is forbidden to burn from a lamp, using matches or a lighter. Then you should cross yourself and begin prayer. When you finish your prayer, simply step aside.

5. You should not clean up or blow out other people’s candles - by doing this you show disrespect for other people.

6. If you enter the church in the middle of a service, you should not try to squeeze through to the icon. It is better to ask the person in front to pass the candles so that he can give or light a candle to the icon of the saint you wish.

Remember, it doesn't matter how many candles you light. It is important with what feelings you did it.

Instructions

Come to the temple dressed modestly: women - with covered shoulders, chest, legs, covered heads and preferably without makeup, men - in trousers and a shirt, without a headdress.

To light a candle for health, you need to come to church before the start of the service or after it ends: during the service you cannot walk around the church or pass candles through other parishioners. If you do not have time to stand at the service, choose hours during which liturgies are not held.

According to the established tradition, candles are placed in this order: first for the Feast or a revered temple icon, which is located directly opposite the entrance to the altar, for the relics of the Saint, if they are in the temple, for the icon of the Saint whose name you bear, and then for health. You can choose any of the candlesticks, with the exception of the one on which candles for repose are placed - a rectangular funeral table with a crucifix.

Candles for health are lit for the Savior, the Mother of God, the healer Panteleimon and those Saints who, by the will of God, heal illnesses and help in various situations. For example, infertile couples can light a candle for health to the Righteous Godfathers Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Most Holy Theotokos, and pregnant women can light a candle to the Theodore Icon of the Mother of God. With any ailments, people turn to Matrona of Moscow, Seraphim of Sarov and other revered Saints.

Buy a few candles from the temple or its church shop. Their cost may be different, but it does not matter: both a cheap and an expensive candle are equally pleasing to God if they are placed with sincere prayer.

Approach the icon of the Savior, the Mother of God or the Saint, cross yourself twice, bow, light and place a candle, then cross yourself again, bow and venerate the image. Before the icon of the Savior, read the prayer “Our Father”, and before the Saint you have chosen, mentally say: “Holy Servant of God (name), pray to God for me, a sinner (or the name of the one for whom you are asking).”

If all the places on the candlestick are occupied, simply put your candle on it or in a nearby box: the church ministers themselves will put it there when the others burn out.

Video on the topic

Sources:

how to light candles in a temple

Blessed Simeon, Archbishop of Thessalonica, liturgist of the 15th century, explains the meaning of the candle in this way: pure wax means the purity of the people who bring it. Pliable and soft wax symbolizes our readiness to serve God; the burning of a candle seems to indicate that a person is turning into a new being and is purified in the fire of Divine love. A candle placed in the temple and lit in front of the images is our meager sacrifice to God, the material expression of our prayers, which we address to God, the Virgin Mary and the saints of God.

Instructions

Come light candles before the service begins or after it ends, so as not to disrupt the order of the service.

Buy candles in the church where you will place them. This way you make a small donation. However, the cost does not matter - all of them, even the cheapest ones, are equally suitable for the ritual.

Before lighting candles, you can place them in a place that symbolizes the day being celebrated (usually the holiday icon is placed in the most visible place). You can also light a candle to the icon depicting the patron of the temple, and then to your saint (in whose name you were baptized).

Candles for health can be placed in any candlestick in front of the icon, but not on the eve table (a square-shaped candlestick with a crucifix) - only candles are placed there. Usually candles for health are placed in front of the icon of the Savior, the Mother of God or the healer Panteleimon.

The candle should be lit from one of the other candles in the candlestick, and not from the lamp. Then you need to slightly heat the base of the candle so that the melted wax securely fixes the candle in the candlestick.

note

Remember that you can only light a candle for the health of baptized people.

Sources:

Virtual Chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Even if a person does not consider himself a particularly believer in God, situations arise in life when he wants to somehow express his feelings or desires through religious rituals. One of the simplest and most accessible rituals in Christianity is the lighting of candles for one’s own health, for the health of one’s loved ones, or in connection with some life situation.

Instructions

Before you plan to visit a temple or chapel, make sure you look and dress appropriately. The temple dress code requires that anyone entering be dressed modestly: no shorts, T-shirts or short skirts, and dresses or T-shirts with sleeves must cover the shoulders.

Upon entering the temple, you need to cross yourself and bow towards the altar (you can do this three times). Then go to a candle box or bookstore and buy candles there. One or two of them can be placed in candlesticks standing in the middle of the temple, in front of the icon of the holiday and/or saint who is remembered on this day.

If you come during a service, then if there is a large crowd of people, you should not necessarily make your way to the central part to light a candle, for example, in front of the largest icon or in front of the icon that you liked the most. You can simply pass one or two candles, asking the people in front about it. In general, it makes sense, for reasons of convenience, to wait until the end of the service and then light all the candles.

A candle in front of an icon is a prayerful appeal to God or to a saint in front of whose icon the candle is placed. This is a symbol of divine light and the light of our soul, like a little flame, directed upward, towards God, with prayer. Any prayer will be heard in Heaven, but some saints are approached with specific requests.

Life of a Saint

Great Martyr George the Victorious is one of the most revered saints. It has been popular for a long time, even during the time of early Christianity. In his youth, he entered military service at court, was distinguished by his intelligence, courage and strength, becoming the emperor's favorite. However, when the persecution of Christians began, George distributed all his rich property to the poor and appeared before the emperor, declaring himself a Christian.

He was subjected to terrible torture for seven days, but each time the next day he was miraculously healed. And before his execution, he destroyed the pagan idols in the temple with prayer. All this converted a huge number of people who witnessed miracles or heard about them from eyewitnesses to the Christian faith.

What to pray to Saint George for

George, who was the commander of the imperial bodyguards, is now considered the patron saint of all. During an invasion of enemies, believers pray for defenders of the fatherland. Also, Saint George is the patron saint of farmers (his name comes from the Greek word “”) and shepherds. In some countries, he is also considered the patron saint of travelers. Therefore, people turn to him about the offspring of livestock and about luck in the hunt.

As the legendary conqueror of the Serpent, George is asked to deliver from poisonous snakes and heal diseases. They even pray to the Holy Victorious for the birth of children and for the return of lost children. In general, they trust him with all their aspirations and hopes.

It should be noted that in the Slavic tradition there are, as it were, two images of St. George. One is close to the cult, where the Great Martyr George is the winner of the serpent and a brave warrior. Another (sometimes called Saint Yegor, but this is the same St. George the Victorious) from folk beliefs, he is the owner of the earth, associated with the cult of agriculture and cattle breeding: they ask him to protect the herds from predators and help the shepherds, for rain, livestock offspring and a rich harvest. On the holiday of “spring St. George’s Day” - one of the days in memory of St. George - cattle were driven out to the fields for the first time after winter.

In addition, you can pray to Saint George, like other saints, to strengthen faith in the soul, for intercession before God and forgiveness for sins. The parishioners also ask George for protection from evil, because he is a brave warrior and defender, a fearless fighter for the Truth.
Can

Candlesticks are usually found in front of holy icons. It is believed that whose image is depicted on the icon belongs to a specific candlestick. A pair of candlesticks can stand in the center of the temple on either side of the lectern with a festive icon. It is believed that candles are placed on these candlesticks in memory of the holiday that is celebrated in the Church.

Before putting a candle, you need to make a three-fingered sign with your right hand. First the forehead, then the stomach, right and left shoulder. At this time, you can silently pray to the person to whom you light the candle. If this is a saint, you can use the general prayer: “Pray to God for us, holy servant of God (name of the saint), as we diligently resort to you, a quick helper and intercessor for 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 yourself, you must bow before the holy icon. Then they light a candle. You can slightly melt the bottom of the candle so that it sticks better to the candlestick. Once placed, it is necessary to once again apply the sign of the cross and bow. Again, you can say the prayer in your own words with the content of the request.

Funeral candles are placed on a special candlestick in the same way as sacrifices for health. First, they are baptized with the words of the prayer of the soul of the deceased. Then they light a candle and cross themselves again. You can pray with the following words: “Lord rest the soul of your departed servant (servant) and the newly departed; you can and should pray for their pardon in the Kingdom of Heaven before the icon of the Mother of God. There are quite a few icons of the Mother of God, and in this case there is no special one here. However, they especially pray for the deceased before the “Helper of Sinners,” the “Quick to Hear.”

Icon of Archangel Michael. B - Archangel of the ethereal forces, i.e. the head of the holy army of Angels and Archangels. Archangel Michael has a special mission, being the main fighter against the devil and human lawlessness. The memory of the Archangel is celebrated on November 21. It is very important to pray for the departed on the night of November 20-21. Through fervent prayers at this time, Michael lowers his wing into hell, and many, holding on to him, are saved. You can read both the akathist to the Archangel and a prayer to him.

An icon of a saint or saint whose name it bore. The secular name that a person wears in everyday life and writes on his passport is not always the name given to him at baptism. Ideally, a child should be named by the name indicated in the calendar on the day he was born. But moms and dads don’t always like such names, and the one they choose may not be included in the calendar. You can only baptize with the name that exists in the Orthodox Church. Hence it arises between the names in the world and the names in the church. So you should find out exactly what name the person was baptized with - Stasiki and Slaviki will receive special attention here. Stas may turn out to be either Stanislav or Anastas, and Slava may even turn out to be Vyacheslav, Svyatoslav, etc. The saint whose name the deceased bore is a special intercessor for him before the Lord.

Sources:

Is it possible to remember the dead on Easter week?

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. The question often 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 church candles mean? 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.

What does the candle placed in front of the icon symbolize?

The candle fire 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.

When should you light candles?

Those who come to the temple must light candles before the service begins. It is not good to disturb the decorum of a church by passing candles during a service or by squeezing your way to a candlestick, distracting those praying. Those who are late for the service should light candles after it ends.

How to place a candle correctly?

The candles are lit one from the other, burning, and placed in the socket of the candlestick. The candle should stand straight. You should not use matches or lighters in the temple if there are already burning candles in the candlesticks. You should not light a candle from a lamp, so as not to drip wax into the oil or accidentally extinguish the lamp.

Who should light candles and how many?

There are no mandatory rules about where and how many candles to place. Their purchase is a voluntary sacrifice to God.

First of all, it is good to light a candle to the “holiday” (central analogue) or to a revered temple icon, then to the relics of a saint (if they are available in the church), and only then - about health (to any icon) or about repose (on the eve - square or rectangular table with a Crucifix).

Is it possible to put a candle on a candlestick if there is nowhere to put it?

That's how it should be done. Those who put two candles in one cell or remove someone else's candle to put their own do it wrong.

Is it possible to hold a burning candle in your hand and stand with it?

It is customary to stand with lit candles at a memorial service during the service of Great Heel Matins. Candles are also lit on polyeleos, but this tradition is mainly preserved only for clergy. A burning candle must be handled carefully: make sure that the wax does not drip onto the floor, and that the clothes of the person standing in front do not accidentally ignite. The rest of the time, it is more correct to place the candle on a candlestick that is specially designed for this purpose. In the temple one must follow the established order, and not do as one pleases.

Who should I light a candle for remission of sins to? What to read about remission of sins?

Sins are forgiven only at Confession after a sincere, detailed confession of all of them in the presence of a priest and the reading of a prayer of absolution to him. A candle is a symbol; in itself it does not free one from sins and does not connect one with God.

Which saint is better to light a candle during family discord, when the husband wants to leave the family?

For family well-being they pray to the Mother of God, Saints Guria, Samon and Aviv, and Saint Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.

It is also useful to remember and realize your guilt towards your husband, ask for forgiveness, and try to reconcile.

Is it possible to light a candle for an unbaptized newborn child who is sick?

You can pray for the unbaptized with your personal prayer and light candles for them, you just cannot write their names in church notes, since the Church does not pray for the unbaptized.

A sick child should be baptized as soon as possible. If the child is seriously ill, you can call the priest home or to the maternity hospital. In the Sacrament of Baptism, the child will receive a special grace that will help him. If a child dies unbaptized, the parents will bear the sin. And a baptized child can be given communion, order magpies, prayers for health - this is first aid in illness.

Who should light a candle for a person who is addicted to drugs?

You can pray for deliverance from this passion and light a candle in front of the icons of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”, the martyr Boniface, the righteous John of Kronstadt.

Who should light a candle if a child is seriously ill?

A candle can be placed next to any icon: the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, the holy saints of God.

In addition, you need to know that a child’s illness is a time of prayer and repentance for the whole family. It seems to stimulate spiritual life. The baby should be given holy water and washed with this water. And the most important thing is the communion of the sick child with the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Communion can take place at home, in a hospital, or in a church, depending on the condition of the baby. If a child already knows how to pray, let him do it himself, but if he doesn’t know how, then his parents and godparents should do it for him. And, of course, spiritual work must be combined with treatment that a professional doctor can recommend.

Which icon is better to light a candle before the upcoming operation?

You can light candles and pray to the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon, the holy unmercenary doctors Cosmas and Damian. You also need to prepare for Confession and Communion, order a prayer service for the successful outcome of the operation, find out the name of the doctor and pray that the Lord will control his hands.

Is it possible to light a candle for your own health?

Of course, you can light candles and pray for your health. A candle is a symbol of prayer to God. And most prayers are written in the first person.

Is it possible for a pregnant woman to light candles for her repose?

Everyone can and should light candles and pray for the departed.

Who should I light a candle for prosperity in business?

Anyone who wants to receive anything from the Lord or from the saints must not only pray to them, but also build his life according to the commandments. Through the Gospel, God appeals to everyone with a request to be kind, loving, humble, etc., but people often do not want to listen to this, but themselves ask Him to help them in business.

For prayers to be successful, you must pray with words coming from the heart, with faith and hope for God’s help. And it should be remembered that not everything that a person asks from the Lord is useful for him. The Lord is not a machine that fulfills all desires, you just have to press the right button, that everything He sends is aimed at the benefit and salvation of the soul, although sometimes people think this is unfair.

Is it possible to light candles for the tragically deceased unbaptized and in general for the repose of the unbaptized?

You can light candles and pray for the unbaptized, but you cannot give notes in church with the names of the unbaptized.

Is it possible to light candles for health and peace on Easter?

You can always light candles for health and repose, but the Church does not perform prayers for the departed on Easter and Bright Week; they are transferred to Radonitsa - the second Tuesday after Easter.

Is it possible to put candles purchased in another temple?

Candles are usually purchased in the temple where they come to pray - this is a small sacrifice to this particular temple.

What to do with a candle after blessing Easter cakes and eggs? Can I take it home?

You can take it home and light it during home prayer, or you can put it in a church in front of any icon.

Why do they remove candles that are only half burned, because we pay money for them...

Due to the large number of people who want to light candles, they are sometimes removed not completely burned out. There is no need to be embarrassed by this, or by the fact that the candle that was not completely burned out was extinguished after the end of the service - the sacrifice has already been accepted by God.

When is incense used? Can I use it at home?

Incense is used in the Church during divine services, as well as during funeral services for the dead, and during the consecration of dwellings by the priest. You can also use incense during home prayer.

This custom came to us from ancient times. Candles and lamps were common back then and symbolized the state of the soul, its burning and desire for God. Subsequently, Christians began to light candles in the temple and turn to God with specific requests.

Surely many have wondered how to properly light candles in a church? There is nothing complicated here. Having chosen the icon in front of which you decided to pray, stop for a moment, try to calm down and concentrate. Light the wick from the other candles on the candlestick. Pray in your own words about your problem or person, ask the Lord for help. Then clearly and slowly make the sign of the cross on yourself and place the lit candle on the candlestick.

If there are a lot of people in the church and you want to pray longer, you can stay near the icon. But it’s worth moving a little to the side, freeing up access to the candlestick for other believers.

How to light candles for health in church

Newcomers are often interested in the question of which icon to light a candle for health. The answer is quite simple - to anyone except the funeral eve (there is only one, you can’t confuse it). But if you still find it difficult to choose, light a candle to the icon of your saint (if you pray for yourself), or to the icon of the saint whose name your relative bears.

If on this day one of the main church holidays is celebrated, the memory of a saint or a miraculous icon is celebrated, then it is worth lighting a candle for the “holiday”. This is the central lectern in the temple, where there is usually an icon in honor of the holiday, and next to it a candlestick.

You can light a candle for health using the method described above: light the wick, pray, make the sign of the cross and place the candle on the candlestick. Say, when you light a candle for health, your prayer follows: “God heal my son, mother, sister (and name names)”, “Lord help me make an important decision”, “God help my friend (name)”, etc. We can light candles with prayer for living people with various requests in front of any icon.

There is another difficult question that torments some modern Christians: how to light a candle for the health of enemies? Alas, very often conflicts arise between people in the world, and very rarely are they resolved amicably and peacefully. It happens that we ourselves are to blame for not understanding our neighbor or even a stranger. And sometimes we are sent trials in the form of persecution, seemingly completely without our fault. Perhaps this is actually the case, or it may turn out that we unwittingly caused fire on ourselves. Be that as it may, Christians should not stoop to revenge.

Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded to pray for our enemies and forgive them. And this turns out to be the only way that allows you to maintain peace in your soul and not take the path of revenge or ill-will. And, to the surprise of many, prayer for enemies is really effective.

There is even an icon of the Mother of God, which is called “Softening Evil Hearts.” It is not difficult to recognize it; it depicts the Mother of God, who is pierced by 7 swords (arrows) - this is an image of our sins and sorrows, about which the Mother of God laments.

In front of this icon, you can pray for reconciliation with those who have offended you, or whom you have offended. Ask the Mother of God for admonition for the right words, love and support.

Where and to which icon in the church to put candles for the repose

If you can pray for health at any icon, then where should you put the candles for the repose? For this purpose, there is only one candlestick in the church, but it stands out so much in its appearance that it is impossible not to recognize it. Unlike all round church candlesticks, it is square and massive - a table-candlestick. And a characteristic feature is that there is always a table next to it where people bring food for remembrance. It's eve.

On special church days of commemoration of the dead, on big parental Saturdays, this candlestick is moved to the center of the temple.

There is one more question that newbies have. But what is the correct way to light candles in church: first for health or for repose? There are no specific rules; it is rather decided specifically and situationally. For example, if you came to church to remember your deceased relatives on their memorial day, then this is what you should do first. On Parents' Saturday, all parishioners also try to light the candle on the eve first.

But if you came to pray for someone’s health or passing an exam, then it would be more logical to do just that first.

But to the question: is it possible to light a candle for the repose of a suicidal person, the answer is unequivocal - no! Suicide is a terrible sin, which is aggravated by the fact that a person is no longer able to repent of it. In addition, in the church it is regarded as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, as anger against God, Who gave us all life. You can only pray for suicidal relatives at home. You cannot remember them in church, submit notes for them at the liturgy, or light candles - this is equated to sin.

Human curiosity sometimes asks strange questions, for example, the following: what will happen if you light a candle for the repose of a living person? And it’s good if it comes from simple ignorance, and is not asked with intent.

The fact is that if it is not known for certain whether a person has died or not, in the Orthodox Church he is remembered as if he were alive! Always, even if he goes missing. Firstly, there are a lot of cases in history when missing people are found even after decades, when no one is waiting for them. Secondly, the unhealthy desire to pray for the living as if for the dead is rooted in magical rituals, and the church considers magic, as the teaching of the unclean, a sin.

Therefore, no matter what happens to your loved ones, if you are not sure of their death, pray for them as if they were alive, and light candles for health.

In what situations and why can you light candles?

The Lord commanded us to resort to Him in all our needs, even if it sometimes seems strange to us to turn to God with a minor question. In church missals there are many prayers for completely different needs of both villagers and just ordinary people. The Lord gave special gifts to many saints during their lifetime; after their repose, the saints continue to help people in special situations. Here we will give a small list.

Who should I light a candle for studying? before the exam?

Saint Reverend Sergei of Radonezh. During his life, as a youth, the saint suffered from the fact that he was not given teaching. The Lord revealed wisdom to him, and since then disciples and students have prayed to Saint Sergei. There is also an interesting icon of the Mother of God, it is called “Increasing the Mind.” Candles are also placed in front of her to symbolize successful passing of exams and, in general, help with studies.

Who should put candles in the church for the sale of an apartment?

Blessed Matrona of Moscow and Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker help a lot with housing issues.

Who should I light a candle for success in business?

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker or your saint.

Who should pregnant women pray to?

It is not known where this superstition originated, but very often you can hear a strange question: is it possible for pregnant women to go to church and light candles? The answer is not only possible, but also necessary! It is simply necessary to enlist spiritual support before childbirth, especially since there are even special icons in front of which pregnant women pray.

There are three of these icons. The Icon of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth”, the Icon of the Mother of God “Feodorovskaya” - they place candles in front of them and pray for a successful pregnancy and childbirth. And in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Mammal,” they ask for the sending of breast milk to a woman, enough to feed her baby.

So let pregnant women not be embarrassed by superstitions and go to church completely calmly.

But the answer to those who ask whether it is possible to light candles in church during menstruation can only be answered negatively. The fact is that on these special days of natural purification for a woman, she is not allowed to visit the temple and touch shrines, not only church ones, but also home ones. Shrines include icons, candles, lamps, the Gospel, Epiphany water, prosphora and shrines brought from pilgrimages.

Consecration of the apartment

There is nothing wrong with the desire to have a consecrated home, but the methods that uninformed people sometimes want to resort to sometimes conflict with the foundations of the Orthodox faith.

Let's start with the fact that the apartment or house should be blessed by a priest whom you can invite to your place. Father will worship, sprinkle and bless all those who live here.

As a rule, if people try to live, if not entirely piously, then at least with human decency, and no terrible incidents occur in the apartment, there is no need to consecrate it a second time. But there are situations when unkind people may be in the house, or drunken neighbors will set up such a hangout that the feeling of uncleanness will reach you. What to do then? How to light an apartment with a church candle and holy water at home?

The questions are very relevant and there are answers to them. You can sprinkle your home with holy water at least every day. But this must be done with prayer.

The prayers “May God rise again and be wasted against Him” and Psalm 90 “Alive in help…” protect from evil spirits. Both of them are in every Orthodox prayer book.

You can perform a small incense with “nuns” incense candles, sprinkle with holy water, or walk throughout the house with a lit Jerusalem candle and sing the prayer “Christ is Risen from the Dead.”

If you are not at all calm, talk to the priest - he will advise what to do. In any case, you should not resort to dubious rituals, they may turn out to be magical, after which your home may become much worse, and then it will have to be consecrated again with a full consecration performed by a priest.

Questions and answers

At the end of the article, we answer questions that seem completely unthinkable. But since they are asked, it means people need answers.

Why does the church candle crackle at home?

The candle cracks due to artificial impurities in the composition. At the moment, due to high demand, even wax candles sometimes add a few other components.

Sign: the candle went out in the church.

It is a sin to believe in omens; in addition, the candle can go out due to a draft.

What does it mean if a candle has no shadows, why do you dream about church candles?

In the modern world, despite all its technology, there are still many superstitions that are even difficult to adequately answer. Superstitions are born from ignorance or lack of knowledge. Both can be “fighted” with education. Read the history of the Church, Orthodox spiritual books, talk with priests, and a number of questions will disappear by themselves.

Fortune telling by candles for relationships

Fortune telling in the Orthodox Church is considered sinful, and even more so, doing it with church candles. No one knows the future. The Lord teaches us unconditional love, trust in Him and hope in Him. We must live here and now, and live with dignity, understanding that at any moment we can leave this world. Therefore, we should not guess about relationships, but pray. Ask the Lord for a like-minded person, and then build a loving relationship with him throughout your life.

Tatyana Strakhova

Most people, coming to church, consider it their responsibility to light candles. Some approach the issue fundamentally and purchase the most massive specimens, hoping that in this way they will quickly receive answers to their questions and earn many preferences. But the essence of lighting candles is not the fulfillment of human desires, almost always dictated by earthly passions, but the humble desire of the human soul to join the Divine light. But you still need to know the basic rules of where in the church to light candles for health, so as not to spoil the visit to the temple for yourself or the rest of the parishioners.

What is a church candle?

The burning of a church candle, like the candle itself, has many meanings, and all of them relate to the spiritual component of the connection between God and man. First of all, it symbolizes the believer’s prayerful fervor before the Lord, secondly, it is a voluntary and feasible sacrifice to God and his church, and also means a person’s involvement in the invisible divine light.

The lighting of candles, lamps, and lamps in Christian churches historically dates back to the times when believers had to hold services in caves. But even then, the light of a candle not only helped to illuminate the place of prayer, but was a symbol of Christ. A parishioner in a church must light a candle with fervent prayer and love; in the absence of religious feelings, the ritual takes on a pagan color.

How to put candles?

The main rule is sincere faith, love for God and the person for whom the prayer will be said. The number of candles does not matter; the whole point of the ritual is purity of thoughts and an ardent desire for health to one’s neighbor. The rules of behavior in the church require lighting candles before the start of the church service, so that later, by walking and actions, you do not interfere with parishioners praying, and clergymen conducting the service.

You can also light a candle at the end of the service. There are certain rules of conduct in church when a parishioner lights candles:

Near the candlestick they make two bows from the waist while simultaneously making the sign of the cross.
Next, light a candle; this can be done from any candle standing on a candlestick. Do not light a candle from the central lamp, so as not to accidentally extinguish it with dripping wax.
It is necessary to cross yourself again and place the candle in a free socket.
After installation, a bow is made from the waist with the simultaneous sign of the cross.
Next the prayer is read.
If there are no free places in the candlestick, then you do not need to extinguish and remove other candles without authorization. The candle is placed next to the candlestick or they wait until the church workers find an opportunity to empty the nests of the common candlestick.
You can only stand with a lit candle in church at funeral services or for absolution in the presence of a priest.

Occasion and place

Candles in church are lit for health and peace. Health candles are lit for various reasons - with a prayer for health and long life, in gratitude for an event that has happened, with a prayer for help or protection in any endeavor, and for many other reasons, health candles are used.

Where to put and how to determine the place for the symbol of health? The priests say that there are no special requirements for which icons to place a candle near. If a person does not know where to put it, then the best solution would be the central candlestick, where most often there is a place and the opportunity to refer to the icons of the main iconostasis.

But in every church there is a particularly revered icon, near which parishioners often pray and services are celebrated. These icons are considered the most powerful symbols, and most people prefer to leave their candle there. In this case, you should definitely read the canonical prayer dedicated to this icon and the saint depicted on it, but if the prayer is unknown to the parishioner, then sincere faith will help him and the words will flow from the heart, which is more valuable.

A person who comes to church for the first time is poorly oriented not only in symbols, but in certain actions, especially when he strives to light candles for health. Where to put it so as not to mistakenly set the fire for the repose. A candlestick with funeral candles stands on a separate table and is located in front of the Holy Crucifix. It differs in shape; funeral candlesticks in churches almost always have a circle as a base, while funeral candlesticks have a square or rectangle without a main candle or lamp.

Fundamental approach

If your state of mind requires involvement in spiritual life and you need to express your respect, then you need to know where in the church to light candles for health:

It is good for the soul to place a candle in the candlestick of the central lectern and at the same time bow, pray and make the sign of the cross. Actions should be calm, thoughtful, with awareness and peace of mind.
If there are relics of a saint in the church, then it is necessary to light a candle in honor of his memory.
An icon revered in a temple is also a symbol where a candle will become appropriate and soul-helping along with a sincere prayer to the saint or saint who is depicted on the icon.
A prayer for health (your own or a loved one) is performed near any icon, at the same time leaving a candle on any candlestick in the temple. If you know the name of the heavenly patron in whose honor the parishioner was baptized, then the best choice would be to turn to the icon with the image of the saint and read a prayer for protection and health.

FAQ

A neophyte in a church has many questions, the first of which is where in the church to light candles for health. Over time, an internal understanding of the semantic and spiritual load of one’s stay within the religious space awakens and questions become even larger.

Main questions:

What candles are lit for good health? Church candles are not divided into types according to their purpose. They are the same for all needs. Differences may be in shape (straight, tapered), size or materials of manufacture (wax, paraffin, mixed). To the delight of parishioners, in church shops or from private manufacturers you can buy candles decorated with carvings, symbols, and various colors; this has nothing to do with the canonical rules.
Where in the church should we place an unbaptized child? In this case, a candle is placed on the central candlestick, but it is advisable to baptize the newborn as soon as possible. A priest is invited home to perform the ceremony if it is impossible to bring the child to the baptismal temple. After the sacrament has been performed, you can order magpies, prayer services, etc.
Where in the church to light candles for health and deliverance from addiction to alcohol, drugs, and gambling? The prayer is performed in front of the icons of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”, the holy martyr Boniface and the righteous John of Kronstadt, and a candle is placed there.
Is it possible to pray and light a candle for yourself? They pray for their health, mental and physical, and place candles in front of the icons of their heavenly patron or on the central candlestick. At the same time, they do not forget to exalt for everything they have.
Where in the church do you light candles for good health and successful surgery? Among Orthodox saints, Panteleimon the Healer occupies a special place; he is considered the main assistant in the recovery and successful outcome of all medical interventions. Saints Cosmas and Damian are also venerated and helpful. The patient is recommended to confess, take communion and order a prayer service in church for a successful outcome of the operation. It will be useful to pray for the surgeon who will perform the operation and that the Lord will control his hands.