I received this email to my personal account but thought that you might enjoy the answers.......
Fr Joseph,
I saw on the St. Seraphim website that there is a "stump the priest"
section. I have a particular question which I think I already know the
answer to but am just checking cause I find these sorts of things
interesting. While the clergy takes communion behind the iconostasis,
one of the altar boys/subdeacons places a large burning candle in front
of the royal doors and then removes it just before they are opened and
the chalice(s) come out. The question is "What is the significance of
the burning candle?" My guess is this: relating back to Genesis, after
Adam & Eve were expelled from paradise, a burning sword descended from
heaven blocking the way into paradise. The burning candle represents
the sword reminding the faithful that we presently find ourselves
outside of paradise, reflected in the fact that we continue to sin.
Only with Christ's coming is humanity transformed and made worthy to
enter into paradise again; it is only with the occasion of Christ's
incarnation, death & resurrection that this possibility even exists. It
is thus our responsibility to prepare ourselves for Christ's coming, as
His Eminence pointed out last week that "Christ's coming" is made
present and real in the Eucharist.
Anyway, that is my best educated guess as to the significance of the
burning candle. I really can't think of any other explanation, though
that certainly does not preclude that one exists. Thanks for
answering/confirming my question.
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2 comments:
Steven,
In answer to your question I would suggest that we try and remember other times a candle is used in such an obvious manner. To me, it harkens to the Presanctified Liturgy when the Bishop or Priest comes out with a lighted candle and says "The light of Christ illumient all (things)."
It is the same, Christ the light of the world, who the clergy and faithful are about to partake of in the Eucharist.
I am not big into too much symbolism which all to often is borne out of some pietistical explanation of things, such as "the little entrance symbolizes St John the Baptist going out before Christ...."
One needs to be careful that the Liturgy does not turn into some recreation of some theatrical play of Christ's life. Thus I use caution in such descriptions.
This is an awkward question, but is it true that a woman should not come to church during her time of the month? I have heard this often from women from a Russian background, but had never heard it from a priest or read anything about it.
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