Paschal candle
candle used in liturgies of western churches during the Easter season
A Paschal candle or Easter candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity (viz., the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Churches, the Anglican Communion, and the Methodist Churches, among others). A new Paschal candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter. It is used throughout the Eastertide and then throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals and some other special occasions such as the ordination of priests, taking vows or the Consecration of virgins, when the fire from the Paschal candle is carried with a wick to light another liturgical candle, as for example the baptismal candle.
The equivalent of the Paschal candle in the Eastern Orthodox Church is the Paschal trikirion, which differs in both style and usage.
Etymology
The term Paschal comes from the Latin word Pascha, which came from the Hebrew word Pesach (/ˈpɛsɑːx, ˈpeɪ-/; פֶּסַח), meaning Passover, and relates to the Paschal mystery of salvation. It is sometimes referred to as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle".
Description
For congregations that use a Paschal candle, it is the largest candle in the worship space. In most cases, the candle will display several common symbols:
The cross, which is the most prominent symbol and most clearly identifies it as the Paschal candle
The Greek letters alpha and omega, which symbolize that God is the beginning and the end (from the Book of Revelation)
The numerals of the current year between the arms of the cross
Five grains of incense, which are embedded in the candle (usually encased in red or golden wax "nails"). The "nails" represent the Five Holy Wounds: the three nails that pierced Christ's hands and feet, the spear thrust into his side to wound his heart, and the thorns that crowned his head. The grains of incense are to recall the aromatic spices that were used to prepare Christ's body for the tomb.
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