Battery operated candles for personal prayer at home?

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Spyridon said:
Or even hold sparklers.

Or bring in a propane torch.
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Sparklers and propane torches pose a more increased fire hazard.

Although maybe the miniature propane torch lighters that guys use to light double corona sized cigars?
 
Hey whatever man, so long as it’s a real flame.

Either a real flame or no flame at all. I simply can’t stomach an LED candle device as a substitute for fire in the Easter Vigil.
 
Spyridon said:
Can you imagine how gaudy the Easter Vigil would be with electric “candles?”
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This is a purely subjective judgement and culturally determined. Do you object to monks chanting from a tablet rather than a Psalter? 3000 years ago you would have complained if monks chanted from papyrus instead of memory.

Should we get rid of electric Church lighting and restore more mysterious catacombal shadows. Etc etc.

Its a silly and petty thing to get snagged on, though emotionally real. But such emotions change from one generation to the next.
 
Actually, personally, I would prefer to due away with electric lighting in Church and use candles and oil lamps only.

I’d also like to due away with sound systems and just have the priest project his voice.

I also would object to using a tablet in the liturgy… A Psalter is definitely preferable.

I was actually talking to my wife the other day about how I think I would enjoy living with the Amish for a month.

See @BlackFriar… I’m nothing if not consistent.
 
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Well join the Amish then.
But they too are inconsistent.
They use coaches. That too is artifice and technology.

Why do you believe religion must be somehow “natural”.
Consistency would be naked pagan like Easter liturgy performed on a full moon under groves of ancient Oak, Kauri or Redwood trees dependent on country. Smelly armpits (hence the incense) and bad breath all around due to lack of soap, deodourants and mouthspray.

Go for it if you wish. I myself think a moderate use of technology is unavoidable. Yes I hate LEDs as much as you. But I also realise its a subjective thing, succeeding genetations will not if they grow up with it.

I remember in the 1980s our curate (an engineer) made a one foot star of Bethlehem suspended by an invisible thread over the altar with these new LEDs on each tip of the 24 pointed star. It was beautiful. The church had a very high gothic vaulted ceiling. I believe he shot an arrow up and over the main arch 100s of feet up to place the nylon line. There is still a lost arrow up there somewhere they say. On a windy day it may fall down!
 
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I don’t think it’s NECESSARY.

I don’t walk into the Cathedral and start cursing the light bulbs or anything.

I just have a personal preference for real candles and keeping the liturgy as pure as possible.

I don’t see why it’s necessary to have a blaring sound system in a tiny chapel which was built with very good acoustics… I’d prefer the priest to just raise his voice.
 
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Such purity is a fantasy, no liturgy is technology free.
That is my point.
Even candles are technology.
And a poor one at that. Just go to Europe and visit any old Church to see the accumulated smoke damage of centuries of candle burning on walls, pictures and ceilings.
 
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BlackFriar said:
Just go to Europe and visit any old Church to see the accumulated smoke damage of centuries of candle burning on walls, pictures and ceilings.
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Sounds great.

Can you buy me a ticket, and pay for my hotel stay?
 
If I thought it would change your romantic views I would happily assist your crowd funding for this 🙂.
 
Christmysavor said:
I have battery operated candles are they allowed to be used for persanl prayers due to not being able to use real candles? Dose the church allow this?

Not sure were to put this
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You could use them at home, but then the symbolism is gone. Besides giving light, when you light a candle for prayer, it’s like incense… symbolic for our prayers going to Heaven.

Now, if the candle is for purely ambiance, then fine. But if you are using it as a votive candle, then I would recommend only using a real one

God Bless
 
I don’t think anything will change my romantic views.

I’ve always wanted to spend a night in a cabin in the 19th century, in front of a fire place, with oil lamps and candles around me, drinking tea and watching the snow fall outside… That’s like heaven in my mind.

And please, don’t ruin my nostalgia by reminding me I’ll have to use an outhouse… 😞
 
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Well my Canadian outback grandmother would disagree.
She forced hermit grandad to give it up and return to “civilisation” DownUnder.

But a few days…who could disagree.
 
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Spyridon said:
I don’t think anything will change my romantic views.

I’ve always wanted to spend a night in a cabin in the 19th century, in front of a fire place, with oil lamps and candles around me, drinking tea and watching the snow fall outside… That’s like heaven in my mind.

And please, don’t ruin my nostalgia by reminding me I’ll have to use an outhouse… 😞
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Except on the most bitter nights they wouldn’t of had the fire going at night, either. And if it was that bitter, you wouldn’t likely be getting snow. Nor would they have run oil lamps and candles in a single room cabin. Maybe one. Not more.
 
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Why would they not have the fire going if it was extremely cold?
 
Spyridon said:
Why would they not have the fire going if it was extremely cold?
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Much of the land was clear-cut for farming. Visit any place that talks about early New England life. They exported lumber…they didn’t want to burn up their profits. They didn’t “heat” their homes the way we do. They cooked over fire and had a tiny one going so they didn’t have to rekindle.
 
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Interesting.

I’m born and raised and live in New Hampshire, so I’m well aware of our winters here.

It snowed all morning today.
 
Spyridon said:
Interesting.

I’m born and raised and live in New Hampshire, so I’m well aware of our winters here.

It snowed all morning today.
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You don’t seem well acquainted with history. I googled “historic villiages NH” and came up with Strawbery Banke Museum. It appears you can get tickets from your library. I also see Fort At #4, a bunch of stuff in Boston and Old Sturbridge Villiage.

You also have the Shakers villiages but they aren’t anti-technology.
 
I’m not anti-technology. I’m anti-fake candles in the context of Divine Liturgy.

I’ll check out those places you listed though, thanks.
 
As a past church cleaner with bad knees now I heartily disagree with you.
As do most PPs who are always looking for volunteer cleaners.

But if your Parish has the excess money needed to pay quadruple time for cleaning the Church after a waxy Easter knock yourself out!
 
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Every parish I’ve worked at simply has staff who do what it takes to get the job done.
 
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