Lighting Candles prior to the Worship Service

[chip1]

Could you please explain approximately how old is the tradition of lighting candles as part of the worship service? And in the early Catholic Church what significance did it play in the worship service … or is it a relatively recent part of the worship service?

Thanks,

 

[Semper_Fi_1]

Please see: secondexodus.com/html/articles/ourjewishheritage.htm

God bless,

 

[asquared]

I am going to save that link to spend more time with it, thanks it looks terrific. Certainly lamps or candles were part of Jewish worship, in the temple and in the home rituals that are so central to Jewish life. I was only going to comment that if early Christians were forced in some cases to meet underground in the catacombs, or at night in secret places, naturally light would have been necessary, and part of the ritual from the beginning.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

chip1:

Could you please explain approximately how old is the tradition of lighting candles as part of the worship service? And in the early Catholic Church what significance did it play in the worship service … or is it a relatively recent part of the worship service?

Thanks,

Well in the beginning before candles they lit oil lamps. Primarily so that they could see what they were doing!

 

[mosher]

Later the candels began to be used to help teach a theological point about prayer and at times the candel symbolizes Christ. However, these seem to be later developments in the 3rd or fourth century.

 

[Cradle]

What is a “Worship Service”??