My Experience as a Child
When we were children, we were eager for Easter to come. One day during the Holy Week before Easter our godparents came visiting. They would always be bearing gifts for us. The most important of which was our Easter candle. Every year my godparents asked me what decoration I wanted on the candle. For me Easter will always be linked to the memory of my candles and my godparents who brought it.
When they came, we were always eager to unpack our presents. To our frustration we were not allowed to unpack the candle till the Easter weekend. My godparents were always so nice to me and brought little extra gifts I could unpack right away.
On the night of Easter Saturday we wore our formal clothes and shoes. Usually, these were also gifts from the godparents. We went to the church for the Easter celebration. After the mass we waited for the priest to come out of the beautiful front gate of the church. He carried his own candle, which he used to light ours. So he gave meaning to our gift, the candle from our godparents. When all the candles of the congregation were lit, there would be a procession around the church.
This tradition is a reenactment of the myrrh bearers journey to the tomb of Jesus. The procession stopped at the church doors, which then open. The opening of the doors symbolizes the stone that rolled away to open Jesus tomb. According to Christian belief, his body was no longer there. Then we went back into the church for the midnight liturgies.
The years have passed, we are now in the role of the godparent. Our godchildren ask us to explain the essence of the candle.
What makes candles necessary for Easter?
In general candles have a special symbolic meaning for the Christian Church. No service can be held without them. They not only light the service but also have a spiritual significance. They expresses the Christian teaching of spiritual light. The light illumines man of Christ to the Source of the grace-bestowing light. The candle is also a symbol of our burning and grateful love for God.
The Candles lit during the Holy Saturday liturgies symbolize Jesus Christs victory over death and his resurrection. For many people the lit candle thus gives hope.
