Need Help!!! Asap

[eg6994]

Hello.
I was wondering, for general knowledge, do christians who come to jerusalem light candles in the churches?
and if they do, what is the mean and the importance of this action??
thank u.

 

[epy]

I don't know about the specific action you are talking about, but Christians light candles in churches all over for various reasons. That would include Jerusalem.

 

[eg6994]

why do they light candles??
and...
is there anything exceptional about jerusalem??

 

[epy]

Candles could be used for comfort, to show the sanctity of something, to represent a prayer, or simpley as an interesting light source. The list is as long as the imagination can take it.

Jerusalem has a special place in Jewish tradition. To some if not many, it symbolizes God's presence with Jews(or even Christians). That is why there isn't really an Israel without Jerusalem. Short of the city, Israel might as well be located in some remote part of China. ("To some" should be applied to the rest of the paragraph that followed it.)

Christians recognize Jerusalem as where Jesus walked. A place that He lived. Some people more than others have a connection to it.

There are probably numerous better answers out there, but I hope it was somhow useful.

 

[heron]

This is a short description of why Catholics light candles:
http://www.cptryon.org/ask/ask/candles.html

Here's a history of candles in the church:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03246a.htm

From the bottom of this article, referring to Catholics, "Candles were, and are, commonly used to burn before shrines towards which the faithful wish to show special devotion. The candle burning its life out before a statue is no doubt felt in some ill-defined way to be symbolical of prayer and sacrifice."

I have attended Protestant churches, where candles are only used at weddings and Christmas, for the symbolism of joining together in unity and letting His light within us shine; and Advent, symbolizing each week. (Festival of lights concurrent.)

Did someone do something offensive? I could imagine it would be strange and questionable for guests to perform an unusual ritual in someone's sanctuary.

 

[heron]

There was something in that article about the simple historical need for candles to be able to see inside a dark building... which grew into
more symbolic gestures.

 

[eoe]

Jerusalem is a major city to all of Christainity as that is where Christ was crucified and it was a Holy City since it's foundation. It has been a major center since the beginning of the religion. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is one of the five major Patriarchates in Eastern Orthodoxy. The main Website is being revamped but HERE is the JP-USA website.

As far as why Orthodox Christains light candles? Candles are a symbol of our prayers. They represent the coming of the light - Christ - into the world. There are many reasons why. HERE is a series of an introduction to Orthodoxy and the very first lesson at minute ~8 discusses the use of candles.

(Job 18:6) The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.

(Job 21:17) How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.

(Job 29:3) When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;

(Psalms 18:28) For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

(Proverbs 20:27) The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

(Proverbs 24:20) For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

(Proverbs 31:18) She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

(Jeremiah 25:10) Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

(Matthew 5:15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

(Mark 4:21) And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

(Luke 8:16) No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

(Luke 11:33) No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

(Luke 11:36) If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

(Luke 15:8) Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

(Revelation 18:23) And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

(Revelation 22:5) And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.