Olive Oil in Lamp

[Dewi Sant]

As a student with no real income, I try to live Orthodoxy to the fullest but occasionally get caught back on issues of finance.

When I went to Greece to meet a friend I stopped in Athens and purchased (what in my eyes was) the perfect oil lamp for domestic use; ie, not too fancy, not too plain.
Anyway, I have worked out that to keep it burning, it requires 3/4 of a litre of oil each week.

I heard somewhere that only the best oil should be burned in-front of the holy icons, and the best being that which you can afford. As such I've been burning extra-virgin olive oil.
Now, regardless of this stuff smelling utterly delicious, is it necessary to use extra-virgin, or would just olive oil be fine?
The price difference between Extra-virgin, virgin, and olive oil, is huge.


Also, out of interest, is the virginity in reference to our Holy Protecting Mother* ?





*I'm quite aware of the production method of olive oil, the above is a question of symbology, not of production.
Oh, and I know I'm going to get an 'ask your priest' answer, and rest assured, I'll be seeing both my priest and godfather before the month is out; and with any luck, my confessor and spiritual father too...a royal flush of sorts

 

[Greg the byzantine]

Anything we burn in front of an Icon, be it a candle or vigil lamp, is a type of offering and sacrifice made on behalf of the devotee. Therefore I think it best to burn whatever we can afford. So if you can afford to burn quality olive oil, then that's what you should burn. If you can't afford it, then a lower quality leer or pumice oil should suffice. In general however it should be olive oil, as it has special symbolism for us as christians.

BTW The "Virginity" Extra Virgin Olive Oil actually comes from the fact that the oil is squeezed before the olives have matured.

 

[Dewi Sant]

I thought the virginity was because of the press.
The first press is the virgin press, the oil with the most flavour and hence value. And as the olives are re-pressed, the grade of the oil gradually worsens.

I wasn't intending to stop using olive oil, just that the extra virgin was rather expensive.

Forgive me for forgetting something I know I should (and probably did) know, but what is the symbolism behind olive oil in particular?
Mount of Olives?
'I shall wash my face with oil and be gladdened' (or something like that, it's nearly 4am here...oops)

I remember oil being used at the end of a rather long Vesperal service, accompanied with bread and wine in celebration of our Patron.

Yes, I see olive oil used a lot, and of course it is not permitted in strict fast; but as to the meaning why, I'm not certain.

 

[Greg the byzantine]

I thought the virginity was because of the press.
The first press is the virgin press, the oil with the most flavour and hence value. And as the olives are re-pressed, the grade of the oil gradually worsens.

I wasn't intending to stop using olive oil, just that the extra virgin was rather expensive.

Forgive me for forgetting something I know I should (and probably did) know, but what is the symbolism behind olive oil in particular?
Mount of Olives?
'I shall wash my face with oil and be gladdened' (or something like that, it's nearly 4am here...oops)

I remember oil being used at the end of a rather long Vesperal service, accompanied with bread and wine in celebration of our Patron.

Yes, I see olive oil used a lot, and of course it is not permitted in strict fast; but as to the meaning why, I'm not certain.

Hmm that's what I was told, it may just be that the classifications are different in Cyprus. My family did some olive cultivation when they were still there, so I may be mixing up facts, because I'm getting this information second hand so I'm probably wrong or confused (which is often the case). I do know however that after "Virgin" the olive pumice is mixed with other (non olive) oils while being pressed to extract the remaining flavor from them.

Why Olive Oil? It was the only oil available in biblical times As such Olive Oil has been given a lot of significance by the church. It is a symbol of God's mercy towards us, as the Greek word Eleos has the double meaning of Oil and Mercy. It also was a symbol of Abundance and Kingship, as Kings were anointed with perfumed oil. It's also the oil used in all oil related rituals of the church, Holy Unction, Holy Chrism, Oil Lamps, It's placed in our coffins, and rubbed all over infants after baptism. Also the Church blesses what were the three essentials of Life in the Ancient Mediterranean at the vigil service and during Artoklasia (which is derived from it) for the sustenance of the community- Wheat (in the form of bread), wine, and olive oil.

 

[Silentchapel]

I burn sunflower oil. It is quite widespread here in Serbia, and is used in churches as well (for vigil lamps - for sacramental use, olive oil is used exclusivly). I remember when I lit the vigil lamp for the first time. I also wanted to burn 'olive oil only' - however, the wick was too high, and the lamp literally drank the entire glass of oil in an hour. At that rate, I'd probably have to put my flat on mortgage to keep the lamp burning.

 

[Khaleas]

I know in Finland most places use Lamp Oil that is sold at some gas stations and home supplies stores. It burns completely clean and scentless and is much cheaper than olive oil. I use mainly votives nowadays, too scatter brained so I worry about leaving the oil lamp on too long (I've cracked one already).

 

[Blackknight]

I'd say burn whatever you can afford without putting yourself in the poor house.

Personally I'm with Khaleas, votives are a lot easier to deal with and I don't have to worry about spilling oil and burning down the house. Another benefit is that you can make your own candles, just buy beeswax and wicks and you're all set.

 

[Dewi Sant]

thanks for the replies.

When I return to university I'm going to have (and be prepared for horror), an electric tea light suspended in the vial.

Naked flames are banned from halls of residence, but I'd still like to have a vigil lamp.
I suppose it's a matter of the sacrificial fuel. Substitute oil for electric batteries .

 

[Khaleas]

thanks for the replies.

When I return to university I'm going to have (and be prepared for horror), an electric tea light suspended in the vial.

Naked flames are banned from halls of residence, but I'd still like to have a vigil lamp.
I suppose it's a matter of the sacrificial fuel. Substitute oil for electric batteries .

I got some nice electric LED votives that run on batteries last year in Finland. Maybe you can find something like that around Christmas time. They have a silicone 'flame' and look quite real.

 

[Blackknight]

I got some nice electric LED votives that run on batteries last year in Finland. Maybe you can find something like that around Christmas time. They have a silicone 'flame' and look quite real.

They sell them year round, just look in the candle section of your store.

 

[Andrew21091]

I never leave mine lit during the day; I only light it during prayer and I don't have to buy a lot of oil. My 32 oz bottle of rose vigil lamp oil can last me a few months.