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The Blessing of Fire and Veneration of the Light is a service in which the altar is ceremonially dressed and the Paschal Candle is blessed in preparation for the dawning of Easter day.
During this service, the Meriti and priests will bless the holy anointing oil that will be used for healing, consecration and initiation throughout the coming year.
See the 'Paschal Candle' tab for details about preparing a personal Paschal candle.
Priests, have your stole with you.
Priests, have your stole with you.
Please be somewhere private and quiet. Speaker view will be best.
The service begins with the bare altar. During the service the altar is dressed in preparation for Easter morning, and the new light and fire is blessed. If you wish to do that yourself at home, have flowers and unlit candles nearby.
During this service we will bless the Paschal candles (see 'Paschal Candle' tab) and light them for the first time. Please make sure you have a lighter or matches. This new light is used to lighten and bless the atmosphere of the world.
PRIESTS — have your stole with you.
Download and print the sheet with the songs and responses for this service ...
| Songs for Veneration of Light – 30 March 2024 |
Join the service, either by clicking on this link
or use the Meeting ID: 893-8508-8863 and the Passcode to join: 123456
or use the Meeting ID: 893-8508-8863 and the Passcode to join: 123456
The link will be accessible 15 minutes prior to the service
This service will be best viewed using 'Speaker View'. (You may like to use 'Gallery View' at the beginning to see others participating in this service.)
During this service we will bless the Paschal candles and light them for the first time. This new light is used to lighten and bless the atmosphere of the world. Have your unlit Paschal candle and some matches or a lighter close by.
Preparation BEFORE the service –
Create a personal Paschal candle ...
Create a personal Paschal candle ...
During this service the Paschal candle is blessed and lit for the first time. The Paschal candle is a symbol of the presence of the Risen Christ and it is burned at every service and times of private devotion throughout the Mystical Interval.
Paint or decorate a candle (a pillar candle is perhaps the easiest) with a symbol that will remind you of your connection with the heavens, a symbol that speaks to you of what guides, leads and protects you as you enter into a new life.
A distinguishing feature of the Paschal candle is the five grains of incense, or five incense nails. These five nails symbolise the five wounds of the crucified Christ who is now risen and glorified. The nails also remind us how our own soul is crucified when it is limited to the world of our five senses, but when we rise to a new life how our senses can uplift and beautify life.
If you are really keen you can prepare five incense nails to fix into the candle. To make the incense nails you will need loose grain incense, a strong glue and tacks. It is best to make small holes in the candle into which the tacks can be inserted. Alternatively, you could simply use glue to fix a few grains of incense into the candle.
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