Easter candle

The Easter candle in the Easter vigil lit for the first time and symbolizes the Catholic and the Protestant liturgy the light of the risen Christ and rooted in the tradition of lucernarium . It's a big candle, decorated with the cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega and the year. The Catholic Church also five grains of incense (Easter nails) added that the five wounds of Christ on the cross symbolize.The Easter candle is lit in the Easter Vigil, the main celebration of the ecclesiastical year. The priest lights the Easter candle through a fuse to the Easter fire that he has previously blessed. This can happen outside the church or chapel, which the deacon or priest carries the Easter candle solemnly inside. Also can burn a small bonfire in the church to which the candle is ignited. The light of the Easter candle dispels the darkness of the building: the candles of the faithful are ignited at the Easter candle. The Easter candle thus symbolizes the light of Christ, which the darkness has overcome the evil according to the Christian tradition.

The Easter candle is lit continue in all celebrations of the Easter season. After Pentecost, the Easter candle is lit in baptisms andfunerals . The coffin with the font and lighted Easter candle to place the links with baptism and resurrection made graphically. In baptism celebration baptism candle is lit on the Easter candle, after all, is confessed in baptism that you died with Christ and are buried and rise to new life.

There are churches where the Easter candle outside the Easter season at any solemnity ignites, or even on every Sunday, the day of the resurrection.