Chandeliers

A chandelier is a combustion vessel into which oil is poured and a wick is placed which floats in the oil and is lit. Among the Orthodox, it is customary to light a candle before prayer, and it burns during the liturgy or some smaller ceremony. More often, one can see the case where the candle is lit in front of the icon of Jesus Christ, the Virgin or in front of the icon of the baptismal glory.
Bishop Nikolay, in his missionary letters, states the following reasons for lighting candles:
1. First of all, he stated that faith is our light and referred to Christ’s words: I am the light of the light. Based on this, the light of the lamp reminds us of the light with which Christ illuminates our souls.
2. Secondly, while the lamp is burning, it reminds us of the light of the character of the saint before whom the lamp is lit, because saints are also known as sons of light.
3. Thirdly, the lamp serves as a reprimand for our bad deeds, evil thoughts and desires and to invite us back to the path of light. In this way, we try to follow the words of the savior Christ: So that your sight shines before people, so that they can see your good deeds.
4. Fourthly, let it be a small sacrifice to God, who sacrificed himself for us. One small sign of great gratitude and bright love towards the one from whom we pray for life, health, salvation and all that only boundless heavenly love can give.
5. As the fifth, to expel evil spirits and forces that sometimes attack us during prayer and lead us in our thoughts to the other side of Christ, because evil forces love darkness and are afraid of all light, especially that which is intended for God and his subjects.
6. Sixthly, to encourage us to burn ourselves out as the oil and wick burn in a lamp according to our will and to likewise burn our souls with the flame of love in all sufferings.
7. Seventhly, to teach us that just as a lamp cannot be lit without our hand, so our heart, which is in a symbolic sense our lamp, cannot be lit without the holy fire of God’s grace, no matter how filled with virtues it may be.
8. Eighth, to remind us that the creator of the world first of all created light, and then everything else in order. And as God said: Let there be light. And there would be light. So, at the beginning of our spiritual life, the light of Christ’s truth must first shine inside us, and from that light, everything good is created, sprouts and grows in us.
Every Orthodox home should have a candlestick, because in addition to its practical application, it also has strong symbolism and connects spirituality, tradition and decorates the home.