The Paschal Candle

In the Bible it says that Jesus rose from the dead while it was dark. From very earliest times, Christians have come together during the night before Easter Day to remember Jesus' resurrection. This service, which is called the Easter Vigil, begins with the blessing of the New Fire, and the preparation of the Paschal Candle. The word 'Paschal' comes from the word for the Jewish festival of Passover. It is also another word for the Easter.

In our churches we bless our paschal candles at the beginning of the first Easter Day service. In our cathedral it happens at 5am, just before dawn.

paschalCandle

The Paschal Candle is lit (and stands near the altar) in churches for all the services in the fifty days after Easter, to remember the time Jesus spent with his disciples after he rose from the dead. At other times of the year, the Candle is lit only for Baptisms (Christenings) and Funerals. At a Baptism, the person baptised is given a candle which has been lit from the Paschal Candle. At baptisms and funerals it represents the new resurrection life found in Jesus.

This candle is traditionally the first to be lit and the one from which all other lights are taken. The candle will display the Greek letters alpha and omega (the beginning and the end), together with the year. Five grains of incense are embedded in it to represent the wounds of Christ (each hand, each foot and side). It is kept near the font outside the Easter season and stands at the head of the coffin at funerals.

In the medieval church they often reached a stupendous size. The Paschal Candle of Salisbury Cathedral was said to be 36 feet tall.