How to light candles in church: for yourself, family, enemies…. How to light candles for health in church Which saint should light a candle for ill-wishers
"Save me, God!". Thank you for visiting our website, before you start studying the information, please subscribe to our Orthodox community on Instagram Lord, Save and Preserve † - https://www.instagram.com/spasi.gospodi/. The community has more than 58,000 subscribers.
There are many of us like-minded people and we are growing quickly, we post prayers, sayings of saints, prayer requests, and timely post useful information about holidays and Orthodox events... Subscribe. Guardian Angel to you!
In the traditions of the Orthodox Christian Church, a candle is an indispensable attribute in the sacred ceremony. At the same time, the burning candle itself is considered a visible sign, personifying a warm and bright human heart, filled with burning love for the Almighty, the Most Holy Theotokos, as well as for the Saint in front of whom the candle is placed.
But it should be remembered that placing it with an insensitive heart is a great sin, because as soon as the candle has been lit, it is necessary to say a prayer service, albeit in your own words, but with faith, attentively and with reverence, thereby turning all your feelings and thoughts to the Lord.
It is very important to understand the meaning of this tradition, how to correctly light candles for health and which Saints, and whether there are any special signs if the candle suddenly goes out. You can find answers to these questions in the article below.
There are no mandatory rules for where candles should be placed, but there is a certain tradition according to which the first candle must be placed on a candlestick near the miraculous images of the Mother of God and the Most High, located in the center or a revered church icon.
You can also place a candle near the relics of the Saint (if, of course, there are any within the walls of the temple), the Saint whose name was given to a person at baptism and only after that for health/repose.
Which icons should I light candles for health?
As a rule, candles for health or for any other need are lit to miraculous images of the Mother of God, as well as to the Savior himself. However, at the same time, one can also turn to those images of the Saints, to whom the Almighty has granted special grace, which consists in providing assistance in various human needs, which include the ability to heal from a serious illness.
After lighting a candle for the health and well-being of your family or friends, you should definitely invoke the name of the saint/saint in front of whose miraculous image you are placing the candles.
How to light candles for health in church (for yourself)
- First of all, you need to approach the Holy Face that is closest to you in spirit (for example, Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Heavenly Queen or any others) and then we cross ourselves several times in front of it;
- Then we light a candle using a lamp, making sure not to drip wax into it, or you can also use someone else’s candle;
- Choose a free place and place a candle on it, securing it in such a way that it does not come into contact with nearby candles and does not fall;
- Then it is necessary to say a prayer service before the image of the Saint;
- After reading the prayer address, do not leave immediately, stay there for a while longer and do not be shy about the emotions that appear if tears suddenly appear;
- After completing this ritual, slowly cross yourself and bow, then you can light another candle or move away, making room for other people.
However, remember that you should light a candle for yourself at the very end, after you light candles for the health of your enemies, friends and people dear to you, while mentally saying the prayer “Our Father” (before the image of the Lord).
How to light a candle for the health of your enemies
- First, go to the image (preferably to) and cross yourself several times;
- Light a candle and place it in any free place, securing it in it;
- Read the prayer, and then think about this person, his speeches and forgive him, forgetting about all the bad deeds that he caused you;
- Then cross yourself and bow to the image.
The main thing to remember is that if you pray for others, you will be rewarded for this and will bless your enemies for good deeds towards you.
The candle for health went out: can this be considered a bad sign?
If such an incident occurs, then you should not take it to heart and be afraid that something will happen to you or your loved ones. In reality, a candle can go out for several reasons:
- Blowing wind;
- Poor quality wick;
- Not set on fire enough.
Regardless of whether you lit a candle for health or repose, you just need to try to light it again or buy a new one.
May the Lord protect you!
Also watch a video about how to light candles for good health:
Buying candles in a church means a voluntary donation to God. The gift should be given with a sincere heart and complete repentance. A person’s words to God and the Saints should radiate kindness and warmth, gratitude and request.
Candles for health should be lit before the start of the Liturgy, at the Evening Service and during the break between services.
How to light a candle for health in the Orthodox Church
You should approach the icon, cross yourself 3 times and light a candle from nearby candles. It is forbidden to light from a lamp and use matches and lighters.
The candle can be installed anywhere.
What should you say? After the candle begins to burn, you need to start praying and have a mental conversation with the Saints. Believers say: “Lord, save and have mercy on Your servants (name here the names for whom you are praying) and grant them mental and physical health.” or “Lord, thank you for everything!”
You can also pray in your own words, or according to a prayer book. The main thing is that the words come from the heart. At the end you need to cross yourself, bow and move away.
In front of which icon to light a candle for the health of enemies
An Orthodox Christian who leads a lifestyle pleasing to God may, unfortunately, have ill-wishers and envious people. For their health, candles should be placed in front of the holy images of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. Panteleimon.
In the process of reading the prayer, you need to ask the Lord God for forgiveness, help and spiritual strength in order to forgive them yourself. Then you should ask the Saints to grant your enemy reason, health and guide him on the true path.
Which saint should we pray to and light a candle for health?
Who should light a candle if someone is sick? For loved ones who have serious illnesses, Christian believers ask for healing and light candles at the icons of the Mother of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, St. Panteleimon, St. Matrona of Moscow, St. John of Kronstadt, St. Luke of Crimea, St. Nicholas the Pleasant and in front of the icon of the Saint whose name the patient bears.
People who suffer from alcohol and drug addiction can be cured. To do this, you need to pray in front of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon, order akathists, and pray unceasingly at home.
This holy image has miraculous powers and is capable of curing the most severe addiction.
To protect your children and loved ones who find themselves in difficult life situations, you need to pray to the Guardian Angel.
To return your husband to the family, you should bow before the icon of the Mother of God, pray to Saint Gurias, Saints Xenia of St. Petersburg and Matrona of Moscow.
The husband should be sincerely forgiven, ask for his forgiveness and make peace.
Candles can and should be lit at home during home prayer. The church shop of any temple sells special candles, which are called “For home prayers.”
Is it possible to light a candle for your health?
You can light a candle for your health after lighting candles for your loved ones. Before the icon you need to read the prayer “Our Father” and pray in your own words.
Where in church can you pray for yourself? Standing in the temple in front of the holy images, you need to turn to the Lord God and the Saints with a request for your recovery, and ask the Savior for forgiveness for your sins, because illness is given to us for our sins.
Sins are forgiven only at confession, therefore it is important to go to confession, where believers pour out all their sins before the invisibly standing Lord, promise to change their lives, and receive forgiveness.
Note: If the candle starts to go out, you need to light it again. This sign is not an omen of bad events - it is just a superstition.
Is it possible to light a candle for the health of an unbaptized person?
In fact, the church does not approve of prayer for the unbaptized. However, at the time of difficult trials or serious illness of an unbaptized person, the church allows you to light a candle.
After the sick person has recovered, it is necessary to baptize him as soon as possible. Babies are lowered into holy water and the great Sacrament is performed. An adult is baptized in a completely different way.
A candle is a symbol of eternity, a symbol of prayer, conversation with the Lord, the Mother of God and the Saints. The fire from a lit candle always rushes upward - so in life, a Christian should always, no matter what happens, must remember that no matter how he acts, he will give an answer to God. Therefore, he must measure his actions with the will of God.
How to light candles in church: yourself, family, enemies?
For health or any need, candles are usually lit for the Savior, the Mother of God, the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon, as well as those saints to whom the Lord has given special grace to heal illnesses and provide help in various needs.When praying for yourself or for the health and well-being of your loved ones, after lighting the candle, you must definitely invoke the name of the saint or saint in front of whose icons you place the candles.
How to light candles in church for yourself:
4. Lighting a candle for the health of ourselves (and/or loved ones), we say the following words (whatever we like):
- “Lord Essus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner (name), I have sinned without number, Lord, forgive me.”
- “Holy servant of God (name of the saint), pray to God for me, a sinner (or the name for whom you are asking).”
- “Most Holy Mother of God, save me!”- If we light 1 candle for ourselves and those close to the saint:“Reverend St. (name), pray to God for me and for the servants of God (name1, name2...)”
- to his patron saint:“Pray to God for me, Saint (name of the saint), as I diligently resort to you, a quick helper and a prayer book for my soul.”
- Guardian Angel: “Angel of God, my holy guardian, given to me from God from heaven for my protection, I diligently pray to you: enlighten me today, and save me from all evil, guide me to good deeds and direct me on the path of salvation. Amen."
- To the Saint: “Holy saint of God Nicholas (or holy martyr Tatiano, blessed prince Alexandra, etc.)! Pray to God for me, a sinner (sinner), may the Lord forgive me all my sins and grant me through your holy prayers to reach the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Usually, they light a candle for themselves at the end, after everyone else has lit a candle.
How to light candles in churchfor loved ones:
1. Approaching the icon that suits your spirit (the Mother of God, St. Nicholas or another saint), we cross ourselves 2 times.
2. Light a candle from a lamp (make sure that wax does not drip there) or from other people’s candles.
3. Place the candle in a free place and secure it so that it does not fall and come into contact with another candle next to it.
4. Lighting a candle for the health of loved ones, we say the following words:
- “Lord Essus, Son of God, have mercy on the sinner (name of a loved one), he (she) has sinned without number, Lord, forgive him (her)”
- Or we turn in prayer to the saint who is on the icon with the words:
- “Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father (name), my parents (names), relatives and benefactors and all Orthodox Christians.”
- If we turn to the Mother of God: - If we light 1 candle for all those close to the saint:
6. If you have prayed slowly, crossed yourself and bowed, you can also say another one, or carefully move away to a place convenient for you.
We always light candles for ourselves and our loved ones when we come to church, either at will or if there is a need.
How to light candles in churchfor enemies:
1. Approaching an icon that suits your spirit (it’s better if it’s St. Nicholas - he loves your enemies), we cross ourselves 2 times.
2. Light a candle from a lamp (make sure that wax does not drip there) or from other people’s candles.
3. Place the candle in a free place and secure it so that it does not fall and come into contact with another candle next to it.
4. Lighting a candle for the health of our enemies, we say the following words in spirit:
- “Lord Essus, Son of God, have mercy on the sinner (name of the enemy), he (she) has sinned without number, Lord, forgive him (her)” You can add words of your own while looking at the candle:“I forgive him (her) everything and wish him/her well, happiness and health”
- Or we turn in prayer to the saint who is on the icon with the words:“Holy servant of God (name of the saint), pray to God for the sinner (m) (name for whom you are asking).”
- If we turn to the Mother of God:“Most Holy Theotokos, save (name for whom you are asking)!”
- If we light 1 candle for all the enemies of the saint:“Reverend St. (name), pray to God for the servants of God (name1, name2...)”
The Christian Church considers candles an indispensable attribute of many church rituals and sacred sacraments. Another candle in Orthodoxy is a sign of fiery human faith. The light lit for health, as it were, passes it on to his heavenly helpers. And the essence of this request is to grant health and prosperity to those in need. Where to put candles for health in church?
Church candle for health: placement rules
People experienced in the field of church ceremonies can say that there is no specific place for a candle for health. It can be installed and lit in front of any selected icon, which conveys the appearance of the particular saint who is considered the patron saint of a person. But still, many agree that candles for health are most often placed in the following places:
According to the technique of placing such candles, they are placed in candlesticks closer to the center. After lighting and placing the candles in front of them, they pray for the one who needs help. This can be either a learned canonical prayer or a request in your own words. Where to light candles for health in church for yourself personally?
When the need arises to ask for your own health, you can also come to church and, having bought a candle, place it in front of the image of the saint whom you consider a patron. If you are new to Christianity, but want to pray for yourself, then choose the icon of the saint with whose name you were baptized. His name may be different from yours. You can ask the church employees about the relationship between the names given at baptism.
According to the rules, you need to light a candle fire from a lamp on a special eve. You need to be very careful not to extinguish it or drip wax into it. It is not recommended to use your own lighters or personal boxes of matches.
Prayer for oneself is offered in the same way as for another person. The main rule is sincerity. After all, mechanical installation of a wax candle will not bring the desired result.
Candle with wishes of health to your enemies
Why do people light candles with good wishes for the health of enemies and envious people? Ill-wishers denigrate a person, slander, and possibly beat him. And he goes and lights a candle for their health. Why is this happening?
Simply, Christianity is a religion full of kindness and humility. And by lighting a candle for our enemies, we show ours, and also ask them to reason with us and from the bottom of our hearts we forgive them for their sins and atrocities against us.
This method often helps believers solve their problems with other people in the best possible way. It is believed that a candle for the health of enemies pacifies and cleanses their souls. And people stop being aggressive towards each other by the will of God.
Now you know where to light candles for health in church. You can do this simple church ritual whenever you need it. All actions performed with faith will definitely bring positive results.
1:502 1:511
A candle has several spiritual meanings: it is a voluntary sacrifice to God and His temple, a testimony of faith, a person’s involvement in the Divine light and the flame of his love for the one at whose face the believer places a candle.
When praying for ourselves or for the health and well-being of our loved ones, after lighting a candle, we must definitely invoke the name of the saint or saint in front of whose icons we place candles. For example, “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” Or: “Reverend Father Seraphim, pray to God for me and for the servants of God (name).”
If several candles are placed, then, as a rule, in this order: the Feast (the icon opposite the Royal Doors), the relics of a saint (if they are in the church), for health (your saint, whose name you bear, revered icons of the Mother of God and revered saints) , for the repose (on the eve).
Lighting the candle, cross yourself and read the prayer:
Before the image of the Savior: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Before the icon of the Mother of God: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us”
Before the chosen saint: “Holy Servant of God (name), pray to God for me, a sinner (or the name for whom you ask)”
At the image of all saints: “All saints, pray to God for us”
Before the image of the Life-giving Cross of Christ: “We worship Your Cross, Master, and glorify Your Holy Resurrection.” And venerate the icon, crossing yourself and bowing.
A person who accidentally, out of ignorance, placed candles for health on a tetrapod (candlestick for funeral candles) has no reason for unbridled despair. According to the word of the Holy Scripture, “all are alive with God.”
To whom and in what cases do they pray?
1. O blessing on marriage- icon of St. Mother of God “Kazan”, blgv. Book Peter and Princess Fevronia of Murom.
2. On protection of those entering into marriage- St. Cosma and Damian
3. About the happiness of marriage- St. ap. Simon the Zealot, Archangel Barachiel, Rev. Mother of God
4. On advice and love between husband and wife- St. ap. John the Theologian, martyr. Adrian and Natalia
5. About finding your home- blgv. Book Daniil Moskovsky
6. About every family and household need- blzh. Ksenia of Petersburg
7. About infertility- righteous Joachim and Anna
8. About the gift of children- Prophet Zechariah and Elizabeth, St. Roman
9. If you want to have a male child- Rev. Alexander Svirsky
10. On the safe delivery of pregnant women and the birth of healthy children- icon of St. Mother of God “Quick to Hear”, icon of St. Mother of God “Healer”, icon of St. Mother of God “Feodorovskaya”, St. Melania the Roman
11. If there is a lack of breast milk- icon of St. Our Lady of the Mammal,
12. About children- icon of St. Theotokos “Recovery of the Lost”, Baptist and Baptist John, martyr. Varvara
13. On raising children in Christian piety- mchts. Sofia
14. About the development of the mind in children- Rev. Sergius of Radonezh, St. Cosma and Damian
15. On the welfare of children in society- holy Mitrofan of Voronezh
16. About lost children- martyr St. George the Victorious
17. In sadness about the children, where they are and whether they are alive- Rev. Xenophon and Mary, martyr. Eustathius Plakida, martyr. St. George the Victorious
18. For sleep disorders in infants- Saints of the Seven Youths of Ephesus
19. In infant diseases- mchts. Paraskeva Pyatnitsa
20. About patronage of children- right. Simeon the God-Receiver, martyr. Gabriel of Bialystok
21. About marriage and chastity- St. ap. Andrew the First-Called, VMC. Catherine, St. Nicholas of Mirlikiy
22. About salvation from violence- mcc. Thomaida of Egypt
23. For female illness and infirmity- Rev. David of Gareji, holy martyr. Hypatia Gangarsky
24. About arranging family troubles- mchch. Guria, Samon and Aviv
25. On the intercession of widows and orphans- holy Dmitry Rostovsky
26. About the well-being of the second marriage- Venerable Athanasius
27. About the imminent return of the spouse from a long absence- 40 Martyrs of Sebastia,
28. About help in everyday affairs- holy martyr Blaise of Sevastia
29. In trouble, sadness and sorrow- martyr Tryphon
30. About protection from an offender- martyr John the warrior
31. About those who hate and offend us- first hour Stefan
32. On the reconciliation of warring parties- icon of St. Our Lady "Softening Evil Hearts"
33. On the pacification of enmity between neighbors- blgv. Knn. Boris and Gleb
34. About help in poverty and need- holy John the Merciful
35. Against sedition- Lord Jesus Christ
36. If you are afraid of drowning- icon of St. Theotokos "Savior of the Drowning", St. Zosima and Savvatiya, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
37. When bitten by a snake
38. From hunger- Hieromartyr Harlampius, St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, prophet Elijah
39. About the conversion of the lost- Mother of God
40. From drought, thunderstorm, hail- Prophet Elijah, blessed. Procopius
41. About patience with illnesses and misfortunes- right. Job the Long-Suffering
42. For various ailments and diseases- martyr Panteleimon the Healer, St. Luke of Crimea, St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, martyr. Tryphon, icon of St. Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow”, St. Cosma and Damian, martyr. Tryphon
43. For headaches- St. John the Baptist
44. For eye diseases- holy Demetrius of Thessalonica, icon of St. Mother of God “Kazan”, martyr. Lawrence, St. Alexy Moskovsky, martyr. Longinus the Centurion, St. book Vladimir
45. For dental diseases- priest Antipas
46. For heart disease- holy Joseph of Belgorod
47. When mute- Rev. John of Rylsky
48. For hearing loss and ear diseases- icon of St. Virgin Mary "Unexpected Joy"
49. For chest diseases- holy Dmitry Rostovsky
50. For celiac diseases, hernia- right. Artemy Verkolsky, St. Theodore Studitus, St. Seraphim of Sarov
51. For leg diseases- right. Simeon Verkhotursky
52. For hand diseases- icon of St. Mother of God “Three-handed”, St. John of Damascus
53. For fever, fever, heat- St. ap. Petru
54. For leprosy and skin diseases- Rev. Anthony the Great, right. Artemy Verkolsky
55. When suffering from insomnia- Rev. Irinarch of Rostov, seven youths of Ephesus
56. For paralysis- Rev. Jacob Zheleznoborovsky
57. For blood disease- martyr John the Warrior
58. For abscesses- mchch. Cyrus and John
59. If you have cancer- icon of St. Mother of God “Quick to Hear”, icon of St. Our Lady of the Goalkeeper, St. Nectarius of Aegina
60. When the soul is overwhelmed by unbelief- ap. Fome, ap. Pavel
61. Desperate- holy John Chrysostom
62. Despondent- holy Tikhon of Voronezh, St. Ephraim the Syrian
63. About the granting of repentance- icon of St. Theotokos "Helper of Sinners", St. John the Baptist, St. Andrew of Crete, St. Mary of Egypt, St. Ephraim the Syrian
64. From pride and conceit- Rev. Alexy, man of God
65. From love of money- Rev. Theodore and Vasily Pechersky
66. From the disease of drunkenness- icon of St. Mother of God “Inexhaustible Chalice”, martyr. Boniface
67. When overwhelmed by carnal passion- Rev. Moses Murin, Saint. Euthymius of Novgorod, St. Mary of Egypt, martyr. Thomaida of Egypt
68. For mental illness- St. Juliania Olshanskaya,
69. About strengthening in the transfer of fasting- martyr Theodore Tiron
70. About the return to the Church of those who fell away from it due to the devil’s libel- Rev. Simeon the Stylite
71. When possessed- Rev. Anthony the Great, St. John of Novgorod, right. John of Kronstadt, St. Savva Krypetsky, martyr. Tryphon, Saint Theodosius of Chernigov
72. When attacked by evil spirits, against the harm of sorcerers and magicians- Holy martyr. Cyprian and martyr. Justina, martyr. Tryphon, saint Cornelius of Pskov-Pechersk, right. John the Russian, St. Mary of Egypt
73. From mental demonic temptations- Rev. Seraphim of Sarov
74. About helping soldiers- St. blgv. Alexander Nevsky, martyr. St. George the Victorious, blessed. Knn. Boris and Gleb, martyr. John the Warrior
75. When imprisoned- vmchts. Anastasia the Pattern Maker, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Peter of Athos
Where in church to light candles for health
Which icons should I light candles for health?
As a rule, candles for health or for any other need are lit to miraculous images of the Mother of God, the icon of the healer and great martyr Panteleimon, as well as the Savior himself. However, at the same time, one can also turn to those images of the Saints, to whom the Almighty has granted special grace, which consists in providing assistance in various human needs, which include the ability to heal from a serious illness.
Useful information: Prayer for the health of the sick
How to light candles for health in church (for yourself)
How to light a candle for the health of your enemies
The candle for health went out: can this be considered a bad sign?
May the Lord protect you!
For health or any need, candles are usually lit for the Savior, the Mother of God, the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon, as well as those saints to whom the Lord has given special grace to heal illnesses and provide help in various needs.
When praying for yourself or for the health and well-being of your loved ones, after lighting the candle, you must definitely invoke the name of the saint or saint in front of whose icons you place the candles.
How to light candles in church for yourself:
1. Approaching the icon that suits your spirit (the Mother of God, St. Nicholas or another saint), we cross ourselves 2 times.
4. Lighting a candle for the health of ourselves (and/or loved ones), we say the following words (whatever we like):
*“Lord Essus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner (your name), I have sinned without number, Lord, forgive me.”
“Holy servant of God (name of the saint), pray to God for me, a sinner (or the name for whom you are asking).”
“Most Holy Mother of God, save me!”- If we light 1 candle for ourselves and those close to the saint:
“Reverend St. (name), pray to God for me and for the servants of God (name1, name2...)”
*to his patron saint:
“Pray to God for me, Saint (name of the saint), as I diligently resort to you, a quick helper and a prayer book for my soul.”
*Guardian Angel:
“Angel of God, my holy guardian, given to me from God from heaven for my protection, I diligently pray to you: enlighten me today, and save me from all evil, guide me to good deeds and direct me on the path of salvation. Amen."
*To the Saint:
“Holy saint of God Nicholas (or holy martyr Tatiano, blessed prince Alexandra, etc.)! Pray to God for me, a sinner (sinner), may the Lord forgive me all my sins and grant me through your holy prayers to reach the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Usually, they light a candle for themselves at the end, after everyone else has lit a candle.
How to light candles in churchfor loved ones:
1. Approaching the icon that suits your spirit (the Mother of God, St. Nicholas or another saint), we cross ourselves 2 times.
4. Lighting a candle for the health of loved ones, we say the following words:
*“Lord Essus, Son of God, have mercy on the sinner (name of a loved one), he (she) has sinned without number, Lord, forgive him (her).”
*“Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father (name), my parents (names), relatives and benefactors and all Orthodox Christians.”
*If we turn to the Mother of God:
“Most Holy Theotokos, save (name for whom you are asking)!”
If we light 1 candle for all those close to the saint:
“Reverend St. (name), pray to God for the servants of God (name1, name2...)”
5. After reading the prayer, stay close to the person(s) for whom you prayed. Remember their faces, their speech... Don’t be shy about tears if you cry.6. If you have prayed slowly, crossed yourself and bowed, you can also say another one, or carefully move away to a place convenient for you.
We always light candles for ourselves and our loved ones when we come to church, either at will or if there is a need.
How to light candles in churchfor enemies:
1. Approaching an icon that suits your spirit (it’s better if it’s St. Nicholas - he loves your enemies), we cross ourselves 2 times.
2. Light a candle from a lamp (make sure that wax does not drip there) or from other people’s candles.
3. Place the candle in a free place and secure it so that it does not fall and come into contact with another candle next to it.
4. Lighting a candle for the health of our enemies, we say the following words in spirit:
*“Lord Essus, Son of God, have mercy on the sinner (name of the enemy), he (she) has sinned without number, Lord, forgive him (her)”
You can add words of your own while looking at the candle:
“I forgive him (her) everything and wish him/her well, happiness and health”
*Or we turn in prayer to the saint who is on the icon with the words:
“Holy servant of God (name of the saint), pray to God for the sinner (m) (name for whom you are asking).”
"Save me, God!". Thank you for visiting our website, before you start studying the information, we ask you to subscribe to our video channel Prayers and Icons. Also subscribe to our VKontakte group (Prayers for every day) and the community on Odnoklassniki (Prayers for every day). We have a lot of useful information. "God bless you!".
In the traditions of the Orthodox Christian Church, a candle is an indispensable attribute in the sacred ceremony. At the same time, the burning candle itself is considered a visible sign, personifying a warm and bright human heart, filled with burning love for the Almighty, the Most Holy Theotokos, as well as for the Saint in front of whom the candle is placed.
But it should be remembered that placing it with an insensitive heart is a great sin, because as soon as the candle has been lit, it is necessary to say a prayer service, albeit in your own words, but with faith, attentively and with reverence, thereby turning all your feelings and thoughts to the Lord.
It is very important to understand the meaning of this tradition, how to correctly light candles for health and which Saints, and whether there are any special signs if the candle suddenly goes out. You can find answers to these questions in the article below.
There are no mandatory rules for where candles should be placed, but there is a certain tradition according to which the first candle must be placed on a candlestick near the miraculous images of the Mother of God and the Most High, located in the center or a revered church icon.
You can also place a candle near the relics of the Saint (if, of course, there are any within the walls of the temple), the Saint whose name was given to a person at baptism and only after that for health/repose.
As a rule, candles for health or for any other need are lit to the miraculous images of the Mother of God, the icon of the healer and great martyr Panteleimon. and also to the Savior himself. However, at the same time, one can also turn to those images of the Saints, to whom the Almighty has granted special grace, which consists in providing assistance in various human needs, which include the ability to heal from a serious illness.
After lighting a candle for the health and well-being of your family or friends, you should definitely invoke the name of the saint/saint in front of whose miraculous image you are placing the candles.
How to light candles for health in church (for yourself)
- First of all, you need to approach the Holy Face that is closest to you in spirit (for example, Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Heavenly Queen or any others) and then we cross ourselves several times in front of it;
- Then we light a candle using a lamp, making sure not to drip wax into it, or you can also use someone else’s candle;
- Choose a free place and place a candle on it, securing it in such a way that it does not come into contact with nearby candles and does not fall;
- Then it is necessary to say a prayer service before the image of the Saint;
- After reading the prayer address, do not leave immediately, stay there for a while longer and do not be shy about the emotions that appear if tears suddenly appear;
- After completing this ritual, slowly cross yourself and bow, then you can light another candle or move away, making room for other people.
However, remember that you should light a candle for yourself at the very end, after you light candles for the health of your enemies, friends and people dear to you, while mentally saying the prayer “Our Father” (before the image of the Lord).
How to light a candle for the health of your enemies
- First, go to the image (preferably the icon of St. Nicholas) and cross yourself several times;
- Light a candle and place it in any free place, securing it in it;
- Read the prayer, and then think about this person, his speeches and forgive him, forgetting about all the bad deeds that he caused you;
- Then cross yourself and bow to the image.
The main thing to remember is that if you pray for others, you will be rewarded for this and will bless your enemies for good deeds towards you.
If such an incident occurs, then you should not take it to heart and be afraid that something will happen to you or your loved ones. In reality, a candle can go out for several reasons:
- Blowing wind;
- Poor quality wick;
- Not set on fire enough.
Regardless of whether you lit a candle for health or repose, you just need to try to light it again or buy a new one.
May the Lord protect you!
Also watch a video about how to light candles for good health:
The custom of placing a candle in front of an icon is very ancient. Everyone knows that this should definitely be done, but not everyone knows about the reasons why this ritual is performed. 
The custom of lighting candles in churches came to Russia from Byzantium, but it arose in Old Testament times. In the Tabernacle of Moses, lamps were a necessary accessory to the priestly service: they were lit in the evening before the Lord and served as a symbol of God’s guidance, that the Law of God is a lamp for man in his life.
“We never perform divine services without lamps,” said the teacher of the Church Tertullian, “but we use them not only to disperse the darkness of the night, - our Liturgy is celebrated in daylight; but in order to depict through this Christ - the uncreated light, without which we would wander in darkness even at midday.” Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
Gradually, rules for lighting candles in churches were developed. First, a burning candle preceded the bringing out of the Gospel, and during the reading, all the candles were lit. Subsequently, candles began to be placed in front of other sacred objects, in front of the tombs of martyrs, in front of icons. The custom of lighting candles has survived to this day. Moreover, it has become so familiar to us that when lighting a candle, many do not think about what this action means?
A candle lit in front of an icon is a symbol of prayer, a sign of spiritual aspiration towards God. Pure wax, from which candles are made, is a symbol of the fact that a person repents of his sins and is ready to obey in the face of God. Speaking about how to place candles correctly, it is worth starting with the fact that this should not be done automatically, but with awareness and with a feeling of love in the heart for the one to whom the candle is placed. When you buy a candle in a temple, it becomes your voluntary offering, a symbol of your faith and love.
External action is accompanied by internal action - prayer. A praying person often cannot find words to accurately convey his state, to express everything that he wants to say to the Lord, especially when he is surrounded by other people. And here a candle helps him, the flame of which is a symbol of this prayerful feeling that is inexpressible in words.
How many candles to place and in front of which icons depends on the desire of the believer. But they always light a candle with a prayer. If this is an icon of our Lord Jesus Christ or the Crucifixion, then you can say: “Lord, have mercy on Thy servant (name)” or “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.” Or you can also read this prayer: “Lord, accept this sacrifice for Your servants (for whom you put your name).”
If this is an icon of the Mother of God, then with the words: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us, Thy servants (names),” before the icon of the saint: “Holy servant of God (name), pray to God for me (or for us and list the names).”
It is very good to add to these prayers a prayer in your own words, expressing your request and thanksgiving.
Approaching the candlestick, you need to light a candle from other candles or from a lamp on the candlestick, then put it in a free place (or, if all the places are occupied, just put it next to it - they will definitely put it in the vacant place). After this, you should cross yourself twice, venerate the shrine, cross yourself again and bow.
The candles that believers buy in church have another very important spiritual meaning: they are a person’s voluntary sacrifice to God and the Church. This has been the case since ancient times: at first, believers themselves donated wax for candles, then the production and sale of candles became one of the income sources for monasteries and churches. The proceeds from the sale of candles are spent on the maintenance, repair and decoration of the temple, on the maintenance of the choir, Sunday school, on the salaries of clergy and workers. Therefore, candles should be purchased only in the temple where a person came to pray. You cannot bring candles purchased outside the walls of the church with you and place them in front of icons, because they may not be consecrated.
Since the level of well-being of believers is different, they can donate different funds. An expensive large candle is not at all more beneficial than a small one. It is better to put a small one with humility and pray fervently than to grumble and regret an expensive one. And remember at the same time that the most important thing is the burning of a believing heart. If we do not have ardent love and reverence, then the candles have no meaning, our sacrifice is in vain.
So, where and to which of the saints to put candles is up to you to decide. But it is advisable to maintain order. If you are going to light several candles, then the first one should be placed to the Lord Jesus Christ and in front of the icon of the holiday (usually it is always located in the center of the temple on a lectern). Then a candle is lit for the Mother of God, then for the Archangel and the saints, to whom the Lord has given special grace to heal illnesses and help us in various needs.
It is customary to light candles for the saint whose name the person bears and for the Guardian Angel.
To commemorate the repose of the deceased, one should light a candle on the eve - a special rectangular candlestick with a Crucifix.
If the required icon is not in the church, then you can put a candle in front of any image of the Lord, the Most Holy Theotokos, or in front of the icon of All Saints and say a prayer. And pray in your own words, as long as they are sincere. Let the clear fire of candles help build a warm, bright prayer in your heart!
It is good to light church candles and at home in the red corner, in front of the icons. Candles and lamps are lit not only while reading the morning and evening prayer rules, but also when solving important life problems (choosing a life partner, choosing a profession, getting a job, purchasing a house, car, etc.), when we are overcome by illness, grief, sadness, or with the obvious action of demonic forces on a person.
During the Six Psalms (when the reader comes out into the middle of the temple and all the lamps in the temple are extinguished), the candles are extinguished. But after finishing this reading, the candles are lit again. Therefore, having lit your candle during this period of time, there is no need to look for any bad sign in this, much less swear.
About candles in questions and answers
How to place a candle correctly?
- The candles are lit one from the other, burning, and placed in the nest of the candlestick. The candle should stand straight. It is PROHIBITED to use matches and lighters in the temple if there are already burning candles in the temple candlesticks. You should not light a candle from a lamp, so as not to drip wax into the oil or accidentally extinguish the lamp.
Who should light candles and how many?
– There are no mandatory rules about where and how many candles to put. Their purchase is a voluntary sacrifice to God. First of all, it is good to light a candle for the “holiday” (central analogue) or a revered temple icon, then - for the relics of a saint (if they are in the temple), and only then - for health (for any icon) or for repose (on the eve - square or rectangular table with a Crucifix).
Is it possible to put a candle on a candlestick if there is nowhere to put it?
- That’s what you should do. As a last resort, you can light the candle wick, extinguish it and place it on the candlestick. Those who put two candles in one cell or remove someone else's candle to put their own do it wrong.
Is it possible to hold a burning candle in your hand and stand with it?
– It is customary to stand with lit candles at a memorial service during the service of Matins of Great Heel. Candles are also lit on polyeleos, but this tradition is mainly preserved only for clergy. A burning candle must be handled with care: make sure that the wax does not drip onto the floor, and that the clothes and hair of the person standing in front do not accidentally ignite. The rest of the time, it is more correct to place the candle on a candlestick that is specially designed for this purpose. In the temple one must follow the established order, and not do as one pleases.
Who should I light a candle for remission of sins and what should I read?
– Sins are forgiven only at Confession after a sincere, detailed confession of all of them in the presence of a priest and the reading of a prayer of absolution to him. A candle is a symbol; in itself it does not free one from sins and does not connect one with God.
Is it possible to light a candle for an unbaptized newborn baby who is sick?
– You can pray for the unbaptized with your personal prayer and light candles for them, you just cannot write their names in church notes, since the Church does not pray for the unbaptized. A sick child should be baptized as soon as possible. If the child is seriously ill, you can call the priest home or to the maternity hospital. In the Sacrament of Baptism, the child will receive a special grace that will help him. If a child dies unbaptized, the parents will bear the sin. And a baptized child can be given communion, order magpies, prayers for health - this is first aid in illness.
Is it possible to light a candle for yourself?
– Of course, you can light candles and pray for your health. A candle is a symbol of prayer to God. And most prayers are written in the first person.
Is it possible for a pregnant woman to light candles for her repose?
– Everyone can and should light candles and pray for the departed.
Is it possible to light a candle for the tragically deceased and, in general, for the repose of the unbaptized?
– You can light candles and pray for the unbaptized, but you cannot give notes in church with the names of the unbaptized.
Is it possible to light candles for health and repose on Easter?
– You can always light candles for health and repose, but the Church does not perform prayers for the departed on Easter and Bright Week; they are transferred to Radonitsa – the second Tuesday after Easter.
Candles can be lit, bought in another temple?
– Candles are usually purchased in the temple where they come to pray - this is a small sacrifice to this particular temple.
What to do with a candle after blessing Easter cakes and eggs? Can I take it home?
– You can take it home and light it during home prayer, or you can put it in a church in front of any icon.
When is incense used and can it be used at home?
– Incense is used in the Church during divine services, as well as during funeral services for the dead, and during the consecration of dwellings by the priest. You can also use incense during home prayer.
Some churches collect donations for a common candle. What it is?
– The tradition of collecting funds for a common candle is not found in all churches. As a rule, the funds collected are spent on purchasing candles, which are placed on candlesticks and burned when there is no one in the temples. There is another tradition when a large wax candle is purchased on a candlestick, which is taken out at certain moments of the service.
I read prayers at home every morning. The church candle that I have been lighting for two days has started to crackle loudly (crackling like a log in a fire, only a little quieter) What is this?
– There’s nothing wrong with that, this happens often, and it’s connected with candle production technology. There is no mysticism in this.
I am left-handed, since childhood I have done everything with my left hand, my parents re-taught me some things since childhood, for example, to write with my right hand, also when I go to church, when I need to cross myself I do it with my right hand, sometimes when I light a candle, sometimes with my left hand. I’ve heard that you can’t use your left hand, and I’ve read a lot and it’s written everywhere that the left hand is somehow all bad.
– Don’t pay attention to these stupid superstitions. You can light candles with your right or left hand, there is no difference.
I'm not baptized. My parents died, they were also not baptized. Can I light candles in the church for their repose?
– Yes, you can light candles with a prayer for the repose of the souls of your parents. But you cannot submit notes about their repose to the altar, or order memorial services and perform the funeral service for them.
Please tell me how to properly light a church candle in a church? In one church, I lit a candle from another candle, and they told me that I couldn’t do that, because it was someone else’s sacrifice, and it was unknown with what thoughts the person lit it. The next time I lit a candle from a lamp. They reprimanded me again and said that I couldn’t do that. How to light a candle correctly?
- A candle is lit from another candle standing on a candlestick. It doesn’t matter who and with what thoughts lit the candle from which you will light yours. These are all superstitions, don't pay attention to them. If necessary (when there are no candles lit on the candlestick), you can light a candle from the lamp, but try not to do this so that the wax does not get into the lamp. This, too, has not a symbolic, but a purely practical explanation - the lamp then needs to be cleaned of wax, both outside and inside, so it’s better not to get it dirty.
My mother died a little over 2 months ago, she was Orthodox, I am a Muslim. Mom was buried according to Orthodox customs. My relatives are all Orthodox, and everything they did in the church and beyond was done by them, and I took part in it. I prayed myself and I pray for her soul. Tell me what is the right way in my case to remember my mother, can I light candles in the church for her myself? Maybe something else? And for some reason I dream about my mother being sick...
– Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of your mother. You are doing the right thing by praying for your mom. Yes, you can light candles yourself with a prayer for the repose of her soul. Also do all possible alms and some good deeds in memory of your mother. Usually the fact that we dream about the dead means that they need our prayers for them.
Yesterday my grandmother died... A person I really loved. I want to do something, go to church... It’s very difficult. Please tell me when and how to light a candle for the repose and what else should be done in such cases?
– Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of your grandmother. If your grandmother was baptized, order a magpie for the repose of her soul, arrange a funeral service (they will tell you how to do this behind the candle box - this is the place where they accept notes and sell candles). On the ninth and fortieth day, order memorial services. If the grandmother was unbaptized, light a candle and pray in your own words, asking the Lord to forgive the grandmother her sins and save her soul. In any case, it is good to give all possible alms for your grandmother and do good deeds in her memory. Candles for the repose of the dead are placed on a canon - this is, as a rule, a rectangular candlestick with a crucifix (ask to show where the canon is when you purchase candles).
I have been taking part in the Sacrament of Unction during Great Lent for the 3rd year now. In previous years, parishioners always took a candle with them, so that later, if necessary, they could pray with this candle for health. But my friend says that it is better to leave this candle in the church, explaining this by the fact that many unhealthy people are present at the service during the unction, and the candle absorbs all the negativity, and when used again, it will no longer be beneficial, but harmful. If possible, please answer is this so?
– No, this is a superstition: a candle does not absorb any negativity, and in itself does not bring any harm or benefit. We get benefits from prayer, not from a candle. You can take the candle home, you can leave it in the temple - it doesn’t matter: traditions can be different, both are acceptable. God bless you!
– My friend’s mother is very sick, they are Muslims, can I light a candle for her health in the church?
Yes, you can light a candle with a prayer for the health of your friend’s mother.
I buy large candles from church, light them during prayers at home, and then blow them out until next time. Can this be done or should it burn out to the end?
– Yes, you can blow out the candles after finishing the prayers and light them again next time.
For health or any need, candles are usually lit for the Savior, the Mother of God, the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon, as well as those saints to whom the Lord has given special grace to heal illnesses and provide help in various needs.
When praying for yourself or for the health and well-being of your loved ones, after lighting the candle, you must definitely invoke the name of the saint or saint in front of whose icons you place the candles.
How to light candles in church for yourself
1. Approaching the icon that suits your spirit (the Mother of God, St. Nicholas or another saint), we cross ourselves 2 times.
4. Lighting a candle for the health of ourselves (and/or loved ones), we say the following words (whatever we like):
“Lord Essus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner (name), I have sinned without number, Lord, forgive me.”
“Holy servant of God (name of the saint), pray to God for me, a sinner (or the name for whom you are asking).”
“Most Holy Mother of God, save me!”– If we light 1 candle for ourselves and those close to the saint:
“Reverend St. (name), pray to God for me and for the servants of God (name1, name2...)”
*to his patron saint:
“Pray to God for me, Saint (name of the saint), as I diligently resort to you, a quick helper and a prayer book for my soul.”
*Guardian Angel:
“Angel of God, my holy guardian, given to me from God from heaven for my protection, I diligently pray to you: enlighten me today, and save me from all evil, guide me to good deeds and direct me on the path of salvation. Amen."
*To the Saint:
“Holy saint of God Nicholas (or holy martyr Tatiano, blessed prince Alexandra, etc.)! Pray to God for me, a sinner (sinner), may the Lord forgive me all my sins and grant me through your holy prayers to reach the Kingdom of Heaven.”
1. After reading the prayer, stay close to the person(s) for whom you prayed. Remember their faces, their speech... Don’t be shy about tears if you cry.
2. If you have prayed slowly, crossed yourself and bowed, you can also say another one, or carefully move away to a place convenient for you.
Usually, they light a candle for themselves at the end, after everyone else has lit a candle.
How to light candles in church for loved ones:
1. Light a candle from a lamp (make sure that wax does not drip there) or from other people’s candles.
2. Place the candle in a free place and secure it so that it does not fall and come into contact with another candle next to it.
3. Lighting a candle for the health of loved ones, we say the following words:
*“Lord Essus, Son of God, have mercy on the sinner (name of a loved one), he (she) has sinned without number, Lord, forgive him (her).”
*Or we turn in prayer to the saint who is on the icon with the words:
*“Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father (name), my parents (names), relatives and benefactors and all Orthodox Christians.”
*If we turn to the Mother of God:
If we light 1 candle for all those close to the saint:
After reading the prayer, stay close to the person(s) for whom you prayed. Remember their faces, their speech... Don’t be shy about tears if you cry.
If you have prayed slowly, crossed yourself and bowed, you can also say another one, or carefully move away to a place convenient for you.
We always light candles for ourselves and our loved ones when we come to church, either at will or if there is a need.
How to light candles in church for enemies:
1. Approaching an icon that suits your spirit (it’s better if it’s St. Nicholas - he loves your enemies), we cross ourselves 2 times.
2. Light a candle from a lamp (make sure that wax does not drip there) or from other people’s candles.
3. Place the candle in a free place and secure it so that it does not fall and come into contact with another candle next to it.
4. Lighting a candle for the health of our enemies, we say the following words in spirit:
*“Lord Essus, Son of God, have mercy on the sinner (name of the enemy), he (she) has sinned without number, Lord, forgive him (her)”
You can add words of your own while looking at the candle:
“I forgive him (her) everything and wish him/her well, happiness and health”
*Or we turn in prayer to the saint who is on the icon with the words:
“Holy servant of God (name of the saint), pray to God for the sinner (m) (name for whom you are asking).”
*If we turn to the Mother of God:
“Most Holy Theotokos, save (name for whom you are asking)!”
*If we light 1 candle for all enemies of the saint:
“Reverend St. (name), pray to God for the servants of God (name1, name2...)”
5. After reading the prayer, stay close to the person(s) for whom you prayed. Remember their faces, their speech... Don’t be shy about tears if you cry. The main thing is to forgive everyone who has offended you.
6. If you prayed slowly, crossed yourself and bowed, you can also put another candle, or carefully move away to a place convenient for you.
Enemies are those who do not love us, hate us, those who constantly harm us, or those with whom we want to make peace. In other cases, it is better, if you feel, to avoid “bad people” and not provoke conflicts, try not to react.
And remember: “ pray for others and you will be rewarded” - this is how one can briefly characterize the statements and instructions of the holy fathers of the Church of all times. The same applies to our ill-wishers and enemies:
“Pray for those who use you and persecute you,” said Jesus Christ (Matt. 5.44).
When should you light candles in a temple for your enemies for protection?
There is a custom of lighting candles for enemies 3 days in a row, or 3 days after 3 days (or after 7 days for 3 weeks in a row, etc.), or when they go to church, from time to time.
They also recommend - in 1 day in 3 temples... It all depends on your desire. But remember, lighting a candle for an enemy is not magic and not a “tool against the enemy,” it is only your sincere desire to turn the enemy (usually someone outside the church) to the Lord God or to bless him for good deeds towards you.
