The Paschal Candle

There are several types of candles that are used during worship every Sunday, and others are used at special services. In this Daily Word, I will focus on the Paschal Candle. At St. Martin’s, there are two Paschal Candles, one very tall candle that is set on top of the tall wooden base and another smaller Paschal Candle on a brass base. Regardless of the size of the candle, the Paschal Candle is a distinct and important candle.

The Paschal Candle symbolizes the new life that we as Christians receive through baptism, and is the sign of hope through Christ’s resurrection and triumph over death. “The Light of Christ” dispels darkness and symbolizes His victory over death. The wick represents Christ’s humanity and the halo of the flame represents his divinity. It is through the light of the Paschal Candle that we are drawn deeper into the meaning and mystery of the Church’s greatest Feast: Easter.^[1]

The Great Vigil of Easter begins with the lighting of the Paschal Candle in the darkened room. The Book of Common Prayer describes it like this: “The Paschal Candle is then lighted from the newly kindled fire, and the Deacon bearing the Candle, leads the procession to the chancel, pausing three times and singing or saying, ‘The light of Christ’ and the people respond with ‘Thanks be to God.’” (BCP, p. 285). As it is carried into the chancel, candles held by members of the congregation light their candles from the Paschal Candle which symbolizes the spreading of the light of Christ into the world.

From the Easter Vigil through Pentecost Sunday, the Paschal Candle is prominently displayed near the pulpit and is lit for all liturgies (BCP, p. 287). Once the season of Easter is over, the Paschal Candle is typically placed near the baptismal font. It is lit during the Liturgy of Baptism, representing the new life in Christ that we share in baptism. When we are baptized and made new creatures in Christ, we receive Christ’s light from the Paschal Candle as the priests pray, “Receive the light of Christ.”

The Paschal Candle is a key symbol of Eastertide, the period from Easter Sunday to Pentecost and also has a place of prominence during a funeral service. Besides being carried in the procession of the Easter Vigil, the Paschal Candle may also be carried in the procession during funeral services and is placed near the casket as a symbol for resurrection of life. When the Paschal Candle is present during a service and due to its place of prominence, it is always the first candle lit before all other candles and always the last candle extinguished.

[1] Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church (New York NY: Church Publishing Incorporated, 1952) page 387.