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Why Use
Beeswax Candles
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"The candle we offer symbolizes the purity of the offering which
agrees with the divine sign of Christianity.
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It
symbolizes meekness and our obedience, while its softness symbolizes our
transfiguration."
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"The
beeswax is composed of many flowers and symbolizes the grace of the Holy
Spirit and the offering is made by all and for the grace of all, since it is
composed of almost all the flowers.
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The
candle is even offered for its likeness to fire, in other words to divinity.
A candle's glow resembles fire.
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Just as a candle is united in all its components, this demonstrates
the stability of love and peace."
(From
The Complete Works of Archbishop Symeon of Thesalonica, 1882 an Anthology)
"It symbolizes three virtues:
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faith,
because it dispels darkness;
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hope,
because it turns our minds to heaven,
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and love which wants us to offer our
body and soul to God.
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The burning candle melts
just as a Christian does in his holy struggle to enlighten others with his
words and his deeds. He melts like a candle and he sacrifices himself for
the love of God and his neighbor.
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The light of the candle is
the flame of faith. In holy scripture, God is characterized as light. God on
the first day of creation created light. He Himself appeared in the bush
that burned in front of Moses and was like a burning column that went ahead
and guided the Israelite people.
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We offer our pure beeswax
candle so that its fragrance of purity can be like that of the soul of man.
As it melts away, the candle symbolizes the spiritual joy, as well as the
metanoia of the heart. As the wax is soft, so are the hearts which are
softened by love and forgiveness."
(Theological and Ethical Encyclopedia V7, page 540
)
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