Holy Apostles Orthodox Church
345 Ridge Rd, Lansing, NY
Orthodox Church in America
Blessing of Candles

On February 2, when we commemorate the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (see Luke 2:22-40), there's a practice of blessing candles. (This gives the feast its traditional English name of Candlemas.) Below are a selection of the prayers for this blessing:


O Almighty, Pre-eternal God, Who, on this day, didst lay Thine Only-begotten Son in the arms of the Holy Simeon in Thy holy Temple, we call upon Thy deep compassion: do Thou bless and sanctify these candles which we, Thy servants, receive and desire to carry for the majesty of Thy Name, and be pleased to light them with the light of Thy heavenly blessing, that we who are offering them unto Thee, our Lord God, meetly enflamed with Thy sweetest love, through a holy fire, may be counted worthy also to stand in the holy Temple of Thy glory. For Thou art our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.


O Lord Jesus Christ, the True Light that enlighteneth every man that comes into the world: Do Thou pour out Thy blessing upon these candles, and sanctify them with the light of Thy grace. And pleased, O Merciful One, that as these lights, kindled with visible fire, drive away the darkness of night, so may our hearts, kindled with invisible fire, and illumined with the brightness of the Holy Spirit, banish the blindness of every sin, that, by the cleansing of our spiritual eyes, we may be able to see that which is well-pleasing unto Thee and necessary for our salvation; and that having triumphed over the dark forces of this world, we may be counted worthy to attain to the everlasting Light. For Thou art our Savior, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thy Father Who is without beginning, and Thy Most-holy, Good, and Lifegiving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.


(From the Great Book of Needs, Vol. 2, published by St. Tikhon's Press.)


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