Editing Paschal candle

{{short description|Candle used in liturgies of Western churches during the Easter season}}
{{About|the Paschal candle of the Western Churches|the Paschal triple-candle used in [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Byzantine Rite|Byzantine]] [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Catholic]] churches|Paschal trikirion}}
[[File:Manila Cathedral Paschal Candle (003) 2024-04-07.jpg|thumb|The Paschal candle of [[Manila Cathedral]] in 2024]]
A '''Paschal candle''' is a large candle used in [[Liturgy|liturgies]] in [[Western Christianity]] ([[videlicet|viz.]], the [[Roman Catholic Church]], the [[Lutheran Church]]es, the [[Anglican Communion]], and the [[Methodist Church]]es, 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 [[baptism]]s, [[funeral]]s and some other special occasions such as the [[ordination|ordination of priests]], taking [[religious vows|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 language|Hebrew]] word ''Pesach ([[Help:IPA/English|/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  ==
[[File:Ibaan Candela Paschalis closeup 2024-04-21.jpg|thumb|The Paschal candle of [[Ibaan Church]], with the cross and wax nails, the letters [[Alpha and Omega]], and the year it was dedicated (2024). As the cross evokes a [[shepherd's crook]], sheep are depicted below to symbolise the flock.]]
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 alphabet|Greek letters]] [[Alpha (letter)|alpha]] and [[Omega (letter)|omega]]<!--red on purp., see history -->, 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.

In the (medieval) Church, Paschal candles often reached a stupendous size. The Paschal candle of [[Salisbury Cathedral]] was said to have been {{convert|36|ft|m|abbr=off}} tall. At present time, in the United States and Southern Europe (e.g., Italy and France) the candle is approximately {{convert|4|in|cm|abbr=off}} in diameter and {{convert|36|to|48|in|cm|abbr=off}} tall; in Northern Europe the candle tends to be shorter in height ({{convert|19|to|24|in|cm|disp=x|/|abbr=off}}) and wider in diameter ({{convert|3|to|5|in|cm|disp=x|/|abbr=off}}). The Paschal candle of [[Manila Cathedral]] usually reaches {{convert|4|or|4.5|in|cm|abbr=off}} and stands at {{convert|50|in|cm|abbr=off}} tall.

The Paschal candle, like all liturgical candles, must be made at least from the most part of beeswax ''(ex cera apum saltem in maxima parte)''.<ref>Schulte, Augustin Joseph. ''Altar Candles'', in ''The Catholic Encyclopedia''. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907</ref> The [[Church Fathers]] saw the bee as a symbol of the [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Virgin Mary]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mk-online.de/meldung/die-bedeutung-von-licht-und-kerzen-in-der-katholischen-kirche/ | title=Die Bedeutung von Licht und Kerzen aus Bienenwachs | date=26 January 2023 }}</ref> The beeswax symbolized the pure flesh of Christ, received from his mother.<ref>Schulte, Augustin Joseph. ''Altar Candles'', in ''The Catholic Encyclopedia''. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907.</ref>

== Usage ==
=== Easter Vigil ===
For churches that celebrate the [[Easter Vigil]] on the night of [[Holy Saturday]], the ceremonial preparation, dedication and lighting of the Paschal candle is one of the most solemn moments of the service. The Easter Vigil liturgies of the [[Roman Catholic]], [[Lutheran]], [[Anglican]], [[Methodist]] and [[Presbyterian]] Churches are nearly identical.<ref name="Ramshaw2004">{{cite book|last=Ramshaw|first=Gail|title=The Three-Day Feast: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter|year=2004|publisher=Augsburg Books|quote=Many Christians are already familiar with the ancient, and now recently restored, liturgies of the Three Days: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the great Easter Vigil service of light, readings, baptism, and communion. The worship resources published by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and the Catholic Church include nearly identical versions of these liturgies.|isbn=9780806651156|page=7}}</ref>

On [[Maundy Thursday]] of the same week the entire [[Church (building)|church]] is darkened by extinguishing all candles and lamps. This and the empty tabernacle symbolise the darkness of a world without Christ.

At the opening of the Easter Vigil a fire is lit and blessed. The minister will cuts a cross in the wax with a stylus and trace the symbols on the Paschal candle, saying words similar to: "Christ, yesterday and today, [[Alpha and Omega|the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega]]. All time belongs to him and all the ages; to him be glory and power through every age for ever. Amen." He then inserts five grains of incense (reminiscent of the nails used to fasten Christ on the Cross) on the five points of the cross, saying: "By his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ our Lord guard us and keep us. 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). Before it is lit, the minister says words similar to: "May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds."

[[File:DeaconsingingExsultet2007.jpg|thumb|180px|right|Deacon chanting the ''Exultet'' beside the Paschal candle]]
Typically, the worshiping assembly then [[procession|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".

In some communities, it is common for nearby churches of different Christian denominations (e.g. Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian) to make the new Easter Fire together and then after this, each congregation processes back to their own church with their own Paschal Candle for their Easter Vigil celebration; this is considered to be a fostering of [[ecumenism]].

Following the procession the ''[[Exultet]]'' is chanted, traditionally by a [[deacon]], but it may be chanted by the priest or – most parts of it – by a [[Cantor (church)|cantor]]. The ''Exultet'' concludes with the offering of the candle:
<!--<blockquote>
Accept this Easter candle,<br />
a flame divided but undimmed,<br />
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.<br />
(For it is fed by the holy melting wax,
which the mother bee brought forth<br />
to make this precious candle.)<br />
Let it mingle with the lights of heaven<br />
and continue bravely burning<br />
to dispel the darkness of this night!<br />
May the Morning Star which never sets<br />
find this flame still burning:<br />
Christ, that Morning Star,<br />
who came back from the dead,<br />
and shed his peaceful light on all humanity,<br />
your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.<br />
Amen.
</blockquote>-->
From the [[Roman Missal]]:
<blockquote>
On this, your night of grace, O holy father, accept this candle, a solemn offering, the work of bees and of your servants' hands, an evening sacrifice of praise, this gift from your most holy Church. But now we know the praises of this pillar, which glowing fire ignites for God's honor, a fire into many flames divided, yet never dimmed by sharing of its light, for it is fed by melting wax, drawn out by mother bees to build a torch so precious. O truly blessed night, when things of heaven are wed to those of earth, and divine to the human. Therefore, O Lord, we pray you that this candle, hallowed to the honor of your name, may persevere undimmed, to overcome the darkness of this night. Receive it as a pleasing fragrance, and let it mingle with the lights of heaven. May this flame be found still burning by the Morning Star: the one Morning Star who never sets, Christ your son, who, coming back from death's domain, has shed his peaceful light on humanity, and lives and reigns for ever and ever.
</blockquote>
[[File:Blessing of the Easter Water with the Paschal Candle.png|thumb|The blessing of the Easter water with the Paschal candle]]
After the [[Litany of the Saints]], the Paschal candle is lowered three times into the [[Easter water]] to be blessed while the priest sings a prayer of blessing with the request for the descent of the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]]. In some Eastern traditions, wax is dripped into the water for an even richer symbolism.

=== Other times of the year ===
The candle remains in the [[sanctuary]] close to the [[altar]] and is lit at least in all the more solemn worship services until [[Pentecost]] (or in some traditions until [[Ascension Day]] when it is extinguished just after the Gospel).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11515b.htm | title=The Catholic Encyclopedia: Paschal Candle }}</ref> In this context the Paschal candle symbolises the presence of the glorified risen Christ.

After [[Eastertide]], the candle should be kept in the [[baptistry]], so that in the celebrations of baptisms the candles of the baptized may be lit from the candle.<ref>''Paschale Sollemnitatis'', Circular Letter concerning the preparation and celebration of the Easter feasts, No. 99</ref> The Paschal candle is lit during [[baptism]]s to signify the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]] and fire that [[John the Baptist]] promised to those who were baptised in Christ.<ref>{{bibleverse||Matthew|5:16|KJV}}</ref>

Before 1955, the option existed of blessing the baptismal font on the Vigil of Pentecost, and this was the only time the Paschal candle would be lit at services after Ascension. In the [[Mass of Paul VI|Ordinary form of the Roman Rite]], the Paschal candle is lit and should be placed near the [[coffin]] during the Mass of the repose of the soul or the [[Requiem]]. This is to indicate that the death of a Christian is his own passover.<ref>''Paschale Sollemnitatis'', Circular Letter concerning the preparation and celebration of the Easter feasts, No. 99</ref>

==Eastern usage==
{{Main|Paschal trikirion}}
In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Byzantine Rite|Byzantine]] [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Catholic]] churches, there is no direct correspondence to the Western Paschal candle. However, throughout [[Bright Week]], the priest carries a cross and [[paschal trikirion]] at all of the services, especially when [[censing]], during the [[Little Entrance]] or when giving the [[Paschal greeting]]. The trikirion consists of three lit candles in a candlestick, which the priest carries in his left hand. In the Slavic tradition, the three candles may be white or different colors: green, red, blue. The deacon also carries a special Paschal candle which is a single large candle whenever he leads an [[ektenia]] (litany) or censes.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.candlecarving.info The Candle Carving Site]
* {{CathEncy|wstitle=Paschal Candle}}

{{CatholicMass|collapsed}}
{{Lutheran Divine Service}}

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[[Category:Catholic liturgy]]
[[Category:Lutheran liturgy and worship]]
[[Category:Candles]]
[[Category:Sacramentals]]