To whom candles are lit for the repose of the soul. Candle for the repose of the soul prayer

A REMINDER ON HOW TO LIT CANDLES FOR THE REST!!! Any baptized person is interested in the question: how to light candles for the repose in church? For this purpose, any Orthodox church has a kanun or eve table. This design is a medium-sized table with a marble or metal board. It can be easily found: on the eve table there is a rectangular candlestick with the Crucifixion of the Lord installed on it. In most cases, eves are installed in the temple to the left of the entrance. This is the very place where in church they light candles for the repose. If for some reason there is no icon of the Crucifixion in the church, then a candle for the repose can be placed at any icon. The main thing is not to do it “automatically”, thoughtlessly and senselessly. It is necessary to remember the image of each deceased person, for whom a candle is lit and placed. How to correctly place candles for the repose: We have sorted out the question: where in the church to place the candles for the repose. Now we need to give a complete algorithm for further actions. Here it is: Go to the icon of the Crucifixion of the Lord and cross yourself twice. Light a candle from a lamp or from other burning candles (but in no case from a lighter). Place the candle in a free cell and secure it in such a way that it does not fall and does not have any points of contact with the candles standing next door. What do you say when you light candles for the repose? While installing the candle, you need to say a short prayer: “Rest, O Lord, the soul of Your departed servant (name).” After this, without any fuss or haste, you need to cross yourself and bow. If you need to put more candles, then everything is done in the same way. In cases where a candle is lit for the repose of one person, then after the completion of the ceremony you need to quietly step aside. Is it possible to light candles for suicides? It is impossible to light candles for the repose of a suicide, just as it is impossible to pray for him in church, and even more so to perform a funeral service. Moreover, in ancient times, suicides were not even buried in graveyards - only behind the fence of the cemetery. But times have changed, and now all those who voluntarily departed for another world are buried in cemeteries, along with the ordinary dead. You can light candles for the repose of a suicidal person only at home, and then only with a special blessing. Only his closest relatives can pray for him at home. Funeral services are permitted only in very rare cases, but this is a special rite, and such issues should be resolved with the priest. Usually, a funeral service is performed for a suicide if during his lifetime he was mentally ill, and then one has to seek permission from the bishop himself or his representative. Is it possible for pregnant women to light candles for their repose? If a woman is pregnant, then she can go to church, pray and light candles for the repose of the soul of the deceased. The fact is that carrying a child in your womb is God's blessing. After all, an unborn baby is the fruit of the joint creation of two loving people and our Lord. There is even a saying that says that a pregnant woman carries under her heart what belongs to God and herself. But not so long ago, a pregnant woman was not allowed anywhere: they were afraid of the evil eye. Now, visiting church by a woman in an interesting situation is even welcomed, but with reservations: you cannot attend church for forty days if a miscarriage has occurred, and during the same period after childbirth, until the bleeding completely stops. Then another question arises: if you are menstruating, should you light candles for the repose or not? During this not very pleasant, but inevitable period, it is better to refuse to go to church altogether. But there is another opinion. It is believed that physiology is not a hindrance to attending church. And on “critical days” you can perform any rituals; there is nothing indecent or unclean about it. Natural physiological processes cannot defile a person, for only sins defile him. Do they light candles for the repose of the unbaptized? There is a rule: do not pray out loud for unbaptized people in church. And during the Liturgy, the unbaptized are not remembered at all: neither out loud, nor mentally. Therefore, they pray for them only at home or in church, but without mentioning their name out loud. Naturally, you cannot submit notes either, but to the question: “Is it possible to light candles for the repose of an unbaptized person?” any parishioner will receive an affirmative answer. Why do they light candles for the repose of living people? If they light candles for the repose of a living person, then we can say with confidence that they wish him harm or are trying to bring damage to him. In this case, the person will begin to dry out, illnesses that have come from God knows where will fall on him, he will lose interest in life, and will soon die. There is another reason, psychological. When someone finds out that a funeral candle has been lit for him, this person begins to get nervous and show concern. These experiences can easily drive him not only into depression, but also into the grave. Sorcerers and other “well-wishers” light candles for the repose of the living. But they don’t think at all that such actions cause harm not to other people, but to themselves. And it is very difficult to harm a living person in this way. After all, God sees everything. But what to do if candles are lit for the repose of a living person? Nothing. Just remember that any evil is punishable and tends to return a hundredfold. And our Lord himself knows what’s what. When to light candles for repose after death? When should you light candles for the repose if a person died today? In fact, you can start lighting candles on the day of death, and so on for forty days. This is very important both for the soul of the deceased and for his relatives. But, before the forty-day period, candles are lit for the newly deceased, and then for the repose of the soul. How often do you light candles for the repose? Yes, as you wish. There will be no harm from this. In some houses, funeral candles burn until the fortieth day. It is clear that there is nothing wrong with this, but on the contrary. But in most cases, candles are lit on the day of death and burn until the body of the deceased is removed, and at the funeral meal too. And then they light up only on the ninth and fortieth day. At the same time, you need to know: how to correctly light candles for the repose at home, and whether it is possible to light candles for the repose in the evening. A funeral candle is lit at home in front of the icon. It is imperative to pray for the soul of the deceased. But a candle placed in a temple is considered not only a sacrifice to God, but also a sign of a person’s participation in collective prayer. In fact, a memorial service is held in the church, at which they pray for all the departed. Therefore, a church candle has a number of advantages over a home candle. However, you can install it at home. By the way, you can light not only a candle, but also a lamp in front of the icon. As for the second question, you can light a candle for the repose at any time of the day: even in the morning, even in the evening. You just need to know for sure that the person really died. Is it possible to light candles for repose on Saturday? Yes, and on Sunday too, but during the period from Easter to Trinity, this cannot be done. Some subtleties that you need to know about: Every person should know where to place candles for health and peace. Health candles are placed on a round table, and funeral candles are placed on a rectangular table (eve). If someone mixed something up, then there is nothing reprehensible in this. God already knows for whom and what a believer prays, and to whom and for what candles are lit. It doesn’t matter which icon they light candles for its repose. Any. Where in the temple they place candles for the repose can be easily determined. If you see a rectangular table with a marble top and a mounted Crucifix of the Lord, then you need to go straight to it. It's eve. But when he is absent from the temple, a funeral candle can be placed on any icon. How many candles are lit for the repose? Yes, as much as you think is necessary. Some light several candles for one person, and some light one candle for the souls of several dead. It is only important to remember them all in prayer. This is the answer to the question “how to light candles for the repose of many people?” It doesn’t matter at all: on which side they light the candle for repose. With anyone.

Any baptized person is interested in the question: how to light candles for the repose in church? For this purpose, any Orthodox church has a kanun or eve table. This design is a medium-sized table with a marble or metal board. It can be easily found: on the eve table there is a rectangular candlestick with the Crucifixion of the Lord installed on it. In most cases, eves are installed in the temple to the left of the entrance. This is the very place where in church they light candles for the repose.

If for some reason there is no icon of the Crucifixion in the church, then a candle for the repose can be placed at any icon. The main thing is not to do it “automatically”, thoughtlessly and senselessly. It is necessary to remember the image of each deceased person, for whom a candle is lit and placed.

How to light candles for the dead?

We have sorted out the question: where in the church to place candles for the repose. Now we need to give a complete algorithm for further actions. Here he is:

• 1. Go to the icon of the Crucifixion of the Lord and cross yourself twice.
• 2. Light a candle from a lamp or from other burning candles (but in no case from a lighter).
• 3. Place the candle in a free cell and secure it in such a way that it does not fall and does not have any points of contact with the candles standing next door.
• 4. What should you say when you light candles for the repose? While installing the candle, you need to say a short prayer: “Rest, O Lord, the soul of Your departed servant (name).”
• 5. After this, without fuss and haste, you need to cross yourself and bow. If you need to put more candles, then everything is done in the same way. In cases where a candle is lit for the repose of one person, then after the completion of the ceremony you need to quietly step aside.

Is it possible to light candles for suicides?

It is impossible to light candles for the repose of a suicide, just as it is impossible to pray for him in church, and even more so to perform a funeral service. Moreover, in ancient times, suicides were not even buried in graveyards - only behind the fence of the cemetery. But times have changed, and now all those who voluntarily departed for another world are buried in cemeteries, along with the ordinary dead.

You can light candles for the repose of a suicidal person only at home, and then only with a special blessing. Only his closest relatives can pray for him at home. Funeral services are permitted only in very rare cases, but this is a special rite, and such issues should be resolved with the priest. Usually, a funeral service is performed for a suicide if during his lifetime he was mentally ill, and then one has to seek permission from the bishop himself or his representative.

Is it possible for pregnant women to light candles for their repose?

If a woman is pregnant, then she can go to church, pray and light candles for the repose of the soul of the deceased. The fact is that carrying a child in your womb is God's blessing. After all, an unborn baby is the fruit of the joint creation of two loving people and our Lord. There is even a saying that says that a pregnant woman carries under her heart what belongs to God and herself.

But not so long ago, a pregnant woman was not allowed anywhere: they were afraid of the evil eye. Now, visiting church by a woman in an interesting situation is even welcomed, but with reservations: you cannot attend church for forty days if a miscarriage has occurred, and during the same period after childbirth, until the bleeding completely stops.

Then another question arises: if you are menstruating, should you light candles for the repose or not? During this not very pleasant, but inevitable period, it is better to refuse to go to church altogether. But there is another opinion. It is believed that physiology is not a hindrance to attending church. And on “critical days” you can perform any rituals; there is nothing indecent or unclean about it. Natural physiological processes cannot defile a person, for only sins defile him.

Do they light candles for the repose of the unbaptized?

There is a rule: do not pray out loud for unbaptized people in church. And during the Liturgy, the unbaptized are not remembered at all: neither out loud, nor mentally. Therefore, they pray for them only at home or in church, but without mentioning their name out loud. Naturally, you cannot submit notes either, but to the question: “Is it possible to light candles for the repose of an unbaptized person?” any parishioner will receive an affirmative answer.

Why do they light candles for the repose of living people?

If they light candles for the repose of a living person, then we can say with confidence that they wish him harm or are trying to bring damage to him. In this case, the person will begin to dry out, illnesses that have come from God knows where will fall on him, he will lose interest in life, and will soon die.

There is another reason, psychological. When someone finds out that a funeral candle has been lit for him, this person begins to get nervous and show concern. These experiences can easily drive him not only into depression, but also into the grave.

Sorcerers and other “well-wishers” light candles for the repose of the living. But they don’t think at all that such actions cause harm not to other people, but to themselves. And it is very difficult to harm a living person in this way. After all, God sees everything. But what to do if candles are lit for the repose of a living person? Nothing. Just remember that any evil is punishable and tends to return a hundredfold. And our Lord himself knows what’s what.

When to light candles for repose after death?

When should you light candles for the repose if a person died today? In fact, you can start lighting candles on the day of death, and so on for forty days. This is very important both for the soul of the deceased and for his relatives. But, before the forty-day period, candles are lit for the newly deceased, and then for the repose of the soul.

How often do you light candles for the repose? Yes, as you wish. There will be no harm from this. In some houses, funeral candles burn until the fortieth day. It is clear that there is nothing wrong with this, but on the contrary. But in most cases, candles are lit on the day of death and burn until the body of the deceased is removed, and at the funeral meal too. And then they light up only on the ninth and fortieth day.

At the same time, you need to know: how to correctly light candles for the repose at home, and whether it is possible to light candles for the repose in the evening. A funeral candle is lit at home in front of the icon. It is imperative to pray for the soul of the deceased. But a candle placed in a temple is considered not only a sacrifice to God, but also a sign of a person’s participation in collective prayer. In fact, a memorial service is held in the church, at which they pray for all the departed. Therefore, a church candle has a number of advantages over a home candle. However, you can install it at home.

By the way, you can light not only a candle, but also a lamp in front of the icon. As for the second question, you can light a candle for the repose at any time of the day: even in the morning, even in the evening. You just need to know for sure that the person really died. Is it possible to light candles for repose on Saturday? Yes, and on Sunday too, but during the period from Easter to Trinity, this cannot be done.

Some subtleties you need to know about:

• 1. Every person should know where to light candles for health and peace. Health candles are placed on a round table, and funeral candles are placed on a rectangular table (eve). If someone mixed something up, then there is nothing reprehensible in this. God already knows for whom and what a believer prays, and to whom and for what candles are lit.
• 2. It doesn’t matter which icon they light candles for repose. Any.
• 3. Where in the temple they place candles for the repose can be easily determined. If you see a rectangular table with a marble top and a mounted Crucifix of the Lord, then you need to go straight to it. It's eve. But when he is absent from the temple, a funeral candle can be placed on any icon.
• 4. How many candles are lit for the repose? Yes, as much as you think is necessary. Some light several candles for one person, and some light one candle for the souls of several dead. It is only important to remember them all in prayer. This is the answer to the question “how to light candles for the repose of many people?”
• 5. It doesn’t matter at all: on which side the candle for repose is placed. With anyone.

I agree that this is how the soul is sold or lost. It has become a popular action. Even mothers forgotten by their children light a candle for the repose: “so that he gets into trouble and remembers me.” Creepy, as Ellochka the Ogre would say, DARKNESS!
“More recently, we considered questions about how to properly light candles in churches. After all, many people have different goals. Some need to remember those who have passed on, while others want to do something good for living loved ones... However, this topic has affected many of our readers. And the editors received a lot of letters. Most of them, to my surprise, were that many people, trying to harm someone, deliberately light a funeral candle for a living person and even ask me how best and safest to do this in order to do so! avoid negative consequences...
Olga from the Primorsky Territory wrote: “Recently I accidentally witnessed a conversation between two people about how one person, wanting to take revenge on the offender, decided to light a candle in the church for the repose of his soul... But this is a great sin. Are there any signs or superstitions about this?” - Olga asks. Similar questions concern Svetlana K. from the Chita region, Valery and Polina Ch. from Vladivostok, Mila L. from St. Petersburg. V. Grensberg from Cologne, Germany, in particular, clarifies: “What could happen to such a person who deliberately lit a funeral candle for a living soul?”
This has probably happened before, when people, unable to cope with their own emotions, decided to do similar things. But such actions became more frequent in the nineties. One priest I know even once said that now they have introduced a rule about presenting a Death Certificate in order to accept an order for a funeral service, otherwise people have often begun to order such rituals for the living. They say they have completely lost their conscience, they don’t even remember it in church. Some sell their immortal soul to the devil for thirty pieces of silver, while others, look, are ready to give it away for free!.. I think that these words of the priest contain all the answers to the questions of readers interested in this topic.
For a long time, in Orthodox churches there was not a particularly clear distinction between which icon a person should put a candle for health, and next to which - for repose... For there has always been an unspoken rule that a person comes to church with pure intentions and an open soul. Even a sinner. If you have crossed the threshold of the temple, it means that you have repented from the bottom of your heart and are ready to confess. Only this way, not otherwise. Wherever the soul is drawn, to which image, put a candle to that, you can’t go wrong... However, times have changed, and it has even become “popular” to light a candle for the repose of a well-to-do person, often an offender, and often one of whom there is envy, evil feelings, desire to harm...
But, as my wise grandmother said: “Remember, my granddaughter, everything that you do in secret from others, you do in front of God!..” This will be stronger than any argument that people who directly violate God’s laws can hide behind in the temple of God! What happens at the moment when a person decides to light a funeral candle for a living soul and place it directly in front of the icon of the crucifixion? And the following happens. Thus, a person himself, voluntarily, without any conditions or incentives, gives a part of his soul to the Devil as a gift. Knowledgeable people claim that three such cases are enough for your immortal soul to forever come under the influence of the devil’s hand, and never again leave this black captivity. And the person who committed such an atrocity (lit a candle for the repose of a living soul!) may not even have a clue about what happened, what ordeals he himself, with his own hands, doomed his soul to...
In many European countries, including Russia, it was believed that such people who wanted to commit such a thing in the temple, for what they had done, turned into “black servants” of Satan, in order to then commit all sorts of unseemly acts under his tireless influence. They were assigned the role of the lowest executors of the devil's power. And they knew neither peace nor freedom."

And then she began to light candles for the homewrecker on the eve! That is, for her repose, write her in notes “about her repose” and wait for her to finally die!

Hold it in both hands, live! Apparently she has a strong prayer book, you can’t overcome it!
Both nod their heads in agreement.

This is a real conversation between two middle-aged women in a church, and in the conversation - one of the wildest superstitions near the church - lighting candles on the eve for living people.

And such aunties and grandmothers are sure that passing a candle with your left hand is a terrible sin, rearranging other people’s candles on a candlestick is moving someone else’s destiny.

And if at a wedding a candle falls or goes out, or at an unction, then that’s it - immediately cover yourself with a sheet and crawl to the cemetery!

If your candle cracks, then you are damaged! It is a sin to scorch the lower end of the candle for stability on the candlestick. And so on and so forth.

In a surprising way, these harmful nonsense seep into the church environment and take root in it. But superstition is faith in vain, a useless and empty faith in nothing.

But the candle in the temple is precisely a symbol of our fervent prayer, standing before the Lord. Therefore, usually believers, when they light candles, pray for loved ones and for themselves.

It doesn’t matter at all whether your candle costs 50 rubles or 10; your participation and your sincerity are much more important here.

There is no point in scolding church authorities for paying ten rubles for a candle. The church itself buys these candles. However, in some churches they are simply freely available, and donating for them is your own business.

Indeed, in Russia candles are placed for the dead and the living in different places. For the dead on the so-called “eve table”. It is easy to recognize: it is not round, but square, above it is a cross with the crucified Christ. And for the living on all other candlesticks (round). If you mix everything up, no one will ever suffer from it: with God everyone is alive. Therefore, in many countries in Orthodox churches, candles for both the living and the dead are placed on one candlestick.

It doesn’t matter whether you place it (pass it) with your right hand or with your left.
The candle itself is usually lit from a burning candle already standing on the candlestick. You pass on a candle if there are people in the church and it is impossible to approach the icon you need. But remember that all these actions during the service greatly distract people from prayer. Therefore, it is better to wait until the end of the service or light a candle to the icon that you can approach yourself.

And never listen to those who try to tell you about the left hand or other “candle” superstitions. Your candle is your personal small sacrifice, your personal prayer.

I know that there is no person who would light a candle for their loved ones and not feel at least a little joy.

And joy is the result of prayer.

What else can you add? Our famous, wonderful elder Pavel (Gruzdev) said that he always lit candles for those deceased for whom there was no one to pray for.

He did this for many years, and then a serious illness occurred, the priest was between life and death. And in this state, he suddenly saw many people praying for him and asking for him, and Father Pavel, coming to his senses, realized that these were exactly those for whom he had been praying and lighting candles all these years.

So not a single sacrifice of ours, not a single prayer will go in vain. The main thing is that we have faith, not superstition.

To avoid any unnecessary inconvenience when visiting a church, we have created this article with complete rules and traditions for installing candles in churches.

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 the candle.

A burning candle is a symbol, a visible sign; it expresses our ardent love of goodwill towards the one to whom the candle is placed. This is a sign of our faith and hope for God’s gracious help.
The light in an Orthodox church is an image of heavenly, Divine light. In particular, it signifies Christ as the Light of the world, Light from Light, true Light, which enlightens every person coming into the world.

Why light candles in church?

Candles in the temple are our modest material offering to God. You need to understand that a candle bought outside the walls of the temple and then brought into the temple is not a sacrifice, but an attempt to pay off. And you can’t put such candles near icons. Asking the Omniscient Creator for something for yourself and being cunning at the same time is the same as playing fools with yourself. Such a game is not worth the candle.

It is better to buy only two candles for twenty rubles in the temple than to come with a dozen bought for the same amount outside the temple. Buying candles is a small sacrifice to God and his temple, let it not be burdensome, most importantly, voluntary.

The number of candles cannot “appease” the saints. You can ask for spiritual help by bringing your own only from a pure heart.

A pure heart is the best sacrifice to God. With a pure heart, light a candle in front of the image, even if it is small, but pleasing to God. A burning candle is a visible sign of the warm, bright burning of the human heart, ardent love for God, the Mother of God, and the saint to whom the candle is placed. But if all this is missing, then the candles have no meaning, the sacrifice is empty.

Lighting a candle formally, with a cold heart, is a sin. When lighting a candle, you need to pray, at least in your own words, but carefully, reverently, with faith. Turning all your thoughts and feelings to God.

How to properly light candles in church

If the candlestick is filled with sand, then placing a candle is very simple.
If it is metal, then the bottom of the candle should be heated from any already burning wick. The candles are lit one from the other, burning, and placed in the socket of the candlestick. The candle should stand straight. This can be done not only before the service, but also during it. You just need to not interfere with other parishioners’ prayers.

You should not use matches or lighters in the temple if there are already burning candles in the candlesticks. You should not light a candle from a lamp, so as not to drip wax into the oil or accidentally extinguish the lamp.
It happens, especially on patronal feasts, that all the candlesticks are occupied. How to light candles in church in this case? Under no circumstances should you worry about this, much less get angry.
Those who put two candles in one cell or remove someone else's candle to put their own do it wrong.
The candle should simply be placed on the edge of the candlestick or close to it. It will definitely be installed by other believers or ministers as soon as the place becomes available. All that remains is to be glad that there are so many parishioners in the church, and their faith is so strong.

Having placed a candle in front of the saint of God you have chosen, mentally say: “Holy Servant of God (name), pray to God for me, a sinner (or the name for whom you are asking for).”
Then you need to come up and venerate the icon.

Lighting the candle, cross yourself and say:

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 Mother of God, save us"
Before the chosen saint: “Holy Servant of God (name), pray to God for me, a sinner (or the name for whom you are asking)”
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 we glorify Your Holy Resurrection”

And venerate the icon, crossing yourself and bowing.

Superstitions about church candles

There are many superstitions associated with candles, and they are all meaningless. They are spread mainly by unchurched, religiously illiterate people.

You shouldn't believe the talk about
that the candle should be lit only with the right hand;
that if it goes out, it means there will be misfortunes;
that the lower end of the candle should not be scorched to ensure stability in the hole, and so on.

But what is definitely not allowed is purchasing church candles for some magical actions, divination, witchcraft. In itself, all this is a monstrous sin. And if you committed it, even foolishly, in childhood, not to mention conscious participation in these ungodly deeds, then confess as soon as possible and bring deep repentance. And let the candles that you light inform the sky only about your godly intentions.

Who should light candles and how many?

There are no mandatory rules about how many candles to put and to whom. Their purchase is a voluntary sacrifice to God.

First of all, it is good to light a candle to the “holiday” (central analogue) or to a revered temple icon, then to the relics of a saint (if they are in the church), and only then to health (to any icon) or to repose (on the eve of – square or rectangular table with a Crucifix).

If you pray for a person suffering from an illness, pray in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Healer” and light a candle.
If a person has taken the path of alcoholism, then a candle can be placed on the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon. They often light candles for their patron saints.
If you light a candle(s) for yourself, then you say to the Lord, the Mother of God or the saint in front of whose image you place the candle, so that this candle will be accepted for you, your health and salvation.

If several candles are placed, then, as a rule, in this order:

Parishioners usually try to light several candles. First of all, a candle is placed for the holiday icon, which is located on a lectern in the middle of the church, and only then candles are placed for health or for repose.

— Holiday (icon opposite the Royal Doors).
- The relics of the saint (if they are in the temple).
- For health (to your saint, whose name you bear, to the revered icons of the Mother of God and to the revered saints).
- For the repose (on the eve).

About health candles are placed for the Savior, the Mother of God, and saints to whom the Lord has given the grace to heal illnesses. They also often pray for the health of the sick and light candles in front of the icon of the great martyr and healer Panteleimon.
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.

About family well-being They pray to the Mother of God, Saints Guria, Samon and Aviv, and Saint Blessed Xenia of Petersburg. It is also useful to remember and realize your guilt in relation to your husband, ask for forgiveness, and try to reconcile

About getting rid of passions(drunkenness, drug addiction, etc.) you can pray and light a candle in front of the icons of the Mother of God “Inexhaustible Chalice”, martyr Boniface, righteous John of Kronstadt.

How to light candles and pray for health

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 Sergius, pray to God for me and for the servants of God (name)”

“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."

In the temple, it is customary to place candles for health in any candlesticks (usually they are like in the picture, but on a high leg, except for those that stand on the eve table and are intended for candles that are placed for repose (see material below). But there are churches , in which there are no eve tables and candles for health and repose are placed in any candlestick, because the main thing is prayer:

“Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father (name), my parents (names), relatives and benefactors and all Orthodox Christians.”

A candle for health will be lit in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem near the Throne, located directly above the place of the Nativity of Christ (Star of Bethlehem).

How to light candles and pray “For repose”

Each temple has especially revered shrines, in front of which candlesticks are placed. To commemorate the dead, eve tables are installed in churches - usually located on the left side of the church, in front of the image of the Holy Cross - where candles are placed with a prayer for the repose of the deceased (“for the repose”)... Such a table is easily recognized by the rectangular candlestick on which the Crucifix is ​​installed. (pictured). If you have brought any food so that the church ministers can pray with you to remember your family and friends, put it in the baskets that stand right here on the table, and then go to the candlestick.

Decide in advance how many candles you will put. It's difficult to advise anything here. You can light one candle for everyone you remember, or you can light it for each one separately.

Approaching the candlestick, you should cross yourself twice and bow to the shrine (usually with a bow from the waist), then light a candle from other candles, melt the bottom and place it in the socket of the candlestick. She should stand straight without falling. If it doesn’t work the first time, melt the bottom again and put it in the nest again.
You should not use matches or lighters in the temple if there are already burning candles in the candlesticks. You should not light a candle from a lamp, so as not to drip wax into the oil or accidentally extinguish the lamp.

To renounce earthly things, look at the flickering light for a while, calm down, forget about the worldly and read the prayer mentally or in a whisper. If you don’t remember by heart, take a piece of paper.

“Rest, O Lord, the souls of Your servant (names) and all my departed relatives and benefactors, and forgive them all their sins, voluntary and involuntary, and grant them the Kingdom of Heaven.”

After reading the prayer, stay close to those for whom you prayed. Remember their faces, their speech... Don’t be shy about tears if you cry. Before you slowly leave, make the sign of the cross and bow.

It may happen like this: the candle you just lit was extinguished by a church minister for some reason. Do not be indignant not only in word, but also in spirit. Your sacrifice has already been accepted by the All-Seeing and All-Knowing Lord.

When there is a Divine service, and because of the crowd of people you cannot get through, then there is no need to push your way to the eve table. You will disturb those praying. Hand over the candles and food, saying to put it “for the dead.”

It happens, especially on weekends and holidays, that all the slots in candlesticks are occupied. Those who put two candles in one cell or remove someone else's candle to put their own do it wrong. In this case, put your candles in a special box (drawer). Candles sacrificed will definitely be burned. The attendant monitors this. But, after placing or passing the candles, do not forget to pray. The main thing is prayer. Read from the heart, it will reach the Lord and be properly accepted by Him.

In this prayer we do not mention our name, but: “pray for others and you will be rewarded” - this is how we 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

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.”

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos for the sake of Her icon “Inexhaustible Chalice”

“Oh, most merciful Lady! We now resort to Your intercession, do not despise our prayers, but graciously hear us: wives, children, mothers; and the serious illness of drunkenness of those possessed, and for this sake from your mother - the Church of Christ and the salvation of those who fall away, brothers and sisters, and heal our relatives.

Oh, merciful Mother of God, touch their hearts and quickly raise them from the falls of sin, bring them to saving abstinence.
Pray to Your Son, Christ our God, to forgive us our sins and not to turn His mercy away from His people, but to strengthen us in sobriety and chastity.

Accept, O Most Holy Theotokos, the prayers of mothers who shed tears for their children, of wives who weep for their husbands, of children, orphans and wretches, abandoned by those who have gone astray, and of all of us who fall before Your icon. And may this cry of ours, through Your prayers, come to the throne of the Most High.

Cover and protect us from the evil trap and all the snares of the enemy, in the terrible hour of our exodus, help us to pass through the airy ordeals without stumbling, with Your prayers deliver us from eternal condemnation, so that the mercy of God will cover us for the endless ages of ages. Amen."

For the dead, candles are placed on the eve of the crucifix.

By the way, you cannot light a candle for the remission of sins. 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.

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. You can pray in your own words, as long as they are sincere.

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.

It is advisable for those who come to the temple to light candles before the service begins. If you are late, wait until you can light a candle. so as not to disturb other believers and not to violate decorum. If you pass the candle to those in front, then indicate which icon to put it on.

It is better to purchase candles only in the temple where you came to pray - this is a small sacrifice to this particular temple. It is believed that a Candle purchased in a temple is an object of veneration for a believer; it is intended to serve as a sacrifice to God, but a Candle purchased by you outside the walls of a temple, even in a pious place, and then brought to the temple is not a sacrifice (I don’t know why ?).

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 Great Heel Matins. Candles are also lit on polyeleos, but this tradition is mainly preserved only for clergy. A burning candle must be handled carefully: make sure that the wax does not drip onto the floor, and that the clothes 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.

TO WHOM SHOULD I LIT A CANDLE FOR REMOVAL OF SINS?

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.

WHICH SAINT IS BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE IN THE EVENT OF FAMILY DISORDER, WHEN THE HUSBAND WANTS TO LEAVE THE FAMILY?

For family well-being they pray to the Mother of God, Saints Guria, Samon and Aviv, and Saint Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg. It is also useful to remember and realize your guilt towards your husband, ask for forgiveness, and try to reconcile.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIGHT A CANDLE FOR AN UNBAPTIZED NEWBORN CHILD 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.

WHO SHOULD LIGHT A CANDLE ABOUT A PERSON WHO IS ADDITED TO DRUGS?

You can pray for deliverance from this passion and light a candle in front of the icons of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”, the martyr Boniface, the righteous John of Kronstadt.

WHO SHOULD I LIT A CANDLE IF A CHILD IS SERIOUSLY ILL?

A candle can be placed next to any icon: the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, the holy saints of God. In addition, you need to know that a child’s illness is a time of prayer and repentance for the whole family. It seems to stimulate spiritual life. The baby should be given holy water and washed with this water.
And the most important thing is the communion of the sick child with the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Communion can take place at home, in a hospital, or in a church, depending on the condition of the baby. If a child already knows how to pray, let him do it himself, but if he doesn’t know how, then his parents and godparents should do it for him. And, of course, spiritual work must be combined with treatment that a professional doctor can recommend.

WHICH ICON IS BETTER TO LIT A CANDLE BEFORE THE UPCOMING OPERATION?

You can light candles and pray to the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon, the holy unmercenary doctors Cosmas and Damian. You also need to prepare for Confession and Communion, order a prayer service for the successful outcome of the operation, find out the name of the doctor and pray that the Lord will control his hands.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIGHT A CANDLE FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH?

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 LIT CANDLES FOR THE RIP OF THE REST?

Everyone can and should light candles and pray for the departed.

WHOM SHOULD I LIGHT A CANDLE ABOUT WELFARE IN BUSINESS?

Anyone who wants to receive anything from the Lord or from the saints must not only pray to them, but also build his life according to the commandments. Through the Gospel, God appeals to everyone with a request to be kind, loving, humble, etc., but people often do not want to listen to this, but themselves ask Him to help them in business. For prayers to be successful, you must pray with words coming from the heart, with faith and hope for God’s help. And it should be remembered that not everything that a person asks from the Lord is useful for him. The Lord is not a machine that fulfills all desires; you just have to press the right button, that everything He sends is aimed at the benefit and salvation of the soul, although sometimes people think this is unfair.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIT CANDLES FOR A TRAGICALLY DIED UNBAPTIZED ONE AND IN GENERAL ABOUT THE REST OF UNBAPTIZED PEOPLE?

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 LIT CANDLES FOR HEALTH AND REST 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.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIT CANDLES PURCHASED 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 THE CANDLE AFTER THE Blessing of 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.

WHY DO THEY REMOVE CANDLES THAT ARE ONLY HALF BURNED, BECAUSE WE PAY MONEY FOR THEM?

Due to the large number of people who want to light candles, they are sometimes removed not completely burned out. There is no need to be embarrassed by this, or by the fact that the candle that was not completely burned out was extinguished after the end of the service - the sacrifice has already been accepted by God.

WHEN IS INCENSE USED? CAN I USE IT 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.

We must remember: in order for prayers to achieve success, one must pray to the Holy Saints of God with faith in the power of their intercession before God with words coming from the heart.