Im not sure but when I used to go to Catholic school and we visited this one church (I cant recall the denomination) and there were all these red candles lit up.
It was explained to us that people who have recently lost someone donate money to the church and get a candle and light it and put it there. That lit candle is supposed to lead the recently deceased to heaven.
Im not sure if that's the explanation you were going for but that was one instance.
I remember that because a fellow classmate then proceeded to blow out some of those candles.
I am an atheist but I found that to be so wrong. I may not believe in it but I dint wish to ridicule someone Else's belief especially when they have lost someone etc.
The practice of lighting candles before the Lord goes back to the Old Testament. God required the Israelites to maintain lamps burning before the Holy of Holies (Ex 40).
Light stands for Christ, so the burning of candles or lamps, has naturally come to symbolize Christ in a special way (Jn 8:12). A candle must burn perpetually before the Real Presence in the Eucharist, therefore, as it did before the Presence in the Temple. It can also stand for the people, present before the Lord, even if physically absent. In the same sense burning incense rising to God can symbolize the prayers of the faithful (Rev 5:8, 8:3).
Something that is "votive" has to do with a vow. God is pleased with our vows, provided we keep them (Mt 5:33, Acts 18:18). A Catholic who lights a votive candle, makes an offering and places an intention before the Lord. The candle symbolizes their intention, it can also stand for their presence in prayer before God, and their union, as a Christian, with Christ the light of the world. The votive element is the exchange of the offering for God's answer to their prayer.
So the practice of votive candles has very biblical roots and is very symbolic of who were are as Christians united to Christ, and of our complete dependence upon God in our need.
We pray for each other.
God will answer our prayers even before we ask, praying puts us in the spirit of receiving God's gifts or answers to our prayers. Praying is like putting out our hand for the gift. God may want to give some one a gift but if they are distracted, angry, pouting, selfish, gossiping, you know, not paying attention, the gifts of God may pass us bye.
The flickering candle light helps us to pay attention while we pray for the needs of others, our needs, and problems, etc.
Actually, 2000 years ago they only had candles, it still seams like a good idea
when lighting a candle in front of an Icon Isimply ask the saint to pray for me and others. Candles bring light which also symbolical represent the prayers braining light the light of the Lord to the world. The imagery Halos on Icons BTW come from the way candles look and represent the saint bringing the light of the lord into the world
Why do Eastern Orthodox Churches light candles?
