Questions about Beeswax Taper Candles

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Hi,

Thanks everyone who has responded to my post. I appreciate it very much.

No problem! Glad to be of assistance!

I think I've always been interested in Eastern Orthodoxy. I had heard of Greek and Russian Orthodox Christians. That's the only ones at that time.

They are actually just different cultural "flavorings" of the same Church. Both fall under the umbrella of Eastern Orthodoxy.

Honestly I'll have to say that at first it was probably aesthetics that intrigued me. I know that probably sounds shallow and I'm sorry. I was fascinated by the look of Orthodox priests and monks. It was very different from what I'm used to. I fell in love with iconography. I thought that there seemed something so spiritually nourishing about icons. They seem to drawn you in. There were other things, such as the music and I'll admit the candles.

Then I started to actually read some stuff about Orthodoxy. The more I read the more I feel drawn to it. I do want to pursue more of a study of Eastern Orthodoxy to see what God wants for me.

I know I'm not really happy in the Catholic Church. To me they have modernized themselves way too much. Most of the parishes around here seem to be very Protestant-like. It's basically like stepping into the Episcopal Church. Then the music is horrendous. I'm tired of singing all these songs that were written in the last 30 years when there are all these centuries worth of beautiful sacred music. I've always been more drawn to pictures than statues though. At my devotional area at home, I had actually been putting up pictures of the saints instead of statues. I see people go into Mass wearing shorts and other things I would never be caught dead in. They talk all during the Mass. I hear a lot of complaints from the older Catholics about the state of the Church.

To me the Orthodox Church seems like the ancient Church. It doesn't seem like it's trying to get with the times. From what I've seen online it really seems like it would be spiritually fulfilling, that God is really there. Does any of that make sense or not?

I do want to read and study more about the Orthodox Church. Who knows what will happen.

Those are all good and valid reasons. We have a couple converts from the RCC on here who became interested in the EOC for many of the same reasons. Having been raised in both the Baptist and EO Churches (long story there) I can sympathize with your longings for a more "sacred" form of worship.

What is your best methods of cleaning up after using a votive candle?

Put the candle holder in the freezer for half an hour. Take it out, tap the bottom of the candle holder a few times, and the wax should come right out.

Hope this helps!

In XC,

Maureen

 

[Xpycoctomos]

When looking at the sources of the tradition, remember that it is not beeswax vs. parafin but rather beeswax vs. tallow. (Was it petroleum based wax in 18 c Russia ?) I think the soot difference might be much more substantial a few hundred years ago.

What's tallow?

 

[eoe]

I'm tired of singing all these songs that were written in the last 30 years when there are all these centuries worth of beautiful sacred music.

This is for you then.

Ti ipermaho stratigo ta niki tiria.
Os lithotisa ton thinon efharistiria,
anagrafo si i polis su, Theotoke.

All os ehusa to kratos a prosmahi ton
ek pandion me kinthinon eleftheroson,
ina krazo si:
Here nimfi animfevte!

One of my favorites so far.

In english...

 

[choirfiend]

Tallow is animal fat rendered into candles. It's smelly, smoky, and messy.

 

[EvangeliGirl]

Hi ravynangel1980! I'm from NC too, though in the SW part of the state (in the foothills). It's near Greenville, SC, but I've never been to Greenville, NC. In the area I'm from, there was only one Catholic parish in the whole county, and certainly no EO parishes (though about five Baptist churches on every street). I'm in Northern Illinois now, however. Quite a difference! Anyways, just wanted to say hi and welcome to TAW!

I've been inquiring into Orthodoxy for a few months now, and I've heard about wonderful things going on in small, EO mission parishes! Let us know how it is if you go!

 

[ravynangel1980]

Hi,

Thanks for the continuing response to my post. I appreciate it.

Eoe: Thanks for those beautiful clips. Beautiful. That's what I call sacred church music. I'm so sick of singing folk songs that sound like something John Denver or Peter, Paul, and Mary would have sung. Or praise and worship songs like the Charismatics sing while they wave their hands in the air.

EvangeliGirl: That's cool that you are also from NC, just a different part of it. What's funny is that part of the time when I've told people I'm from Greenville, NC they think I meant Greenville, SC. We've got a few Catholic parishes around here, but it's still not a hotbed of Catholic activity. We have two though here in Greenville. I know there is one Greek Orthodox mission church that's close by. I do think I'm going to try to get to a DL service sometime soon. Besides that everything is like 50 miles or so from here at the closest. I wish I lived in the Triangle area. There looks to be quite a few there.

Thanks Maureen for the tip about putting the candleholder in the freezer for awhile and then being able to tap the wax residue out. Sounds like a fabulous idea. That sounds like a great way to clean up after using a votive candle.

I think I asked this earlier. If I use the long beeswax tapers at home, what do I need to get? Some sort of bowl (like of brass or something like that) and then fill it with sand so the candles can stick in that? Are there any places that sell the candles in a smaller size than like 9" or is that like the standard? Can you cut the candles in half or is it better to leave them long like that?

To me so much about Eastern Orthodoxy seems so much more sacred and holy than what I've been experiencing in the Roman Catholic Church. I've especially been noticing that it seems to be getting worse in the Catholic Church as I've gotten older.

Take care. Thanks again everyone.

God bless you,
Sarah

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

I think I asked this earlier. If I use the long beeswax tapers at home, what do I need to get? Some sort of bowl (like of brass or something like that) and then fill it with sand so the candles can stick in that? Are there any places that sell the candles in a smaller size than like 9" or is that like the standard? Can you cut the candles in half or is it better to leave them long like that?

I'm not sure about cutting them down, but I would just burn them like you would burn any taper candle. The first time you burn them, just put it on a paper plate or something to see if and how much it will drip. Other than that, I would just use a regular taper candle holder. You could do the whole bowl & sand thing, but it's not neccasary. In regards to size, I guess it would be up to the individual merchant as to what size they sell.

If you enjoy Orthodox music, you may want to check out Ancient Faith Radio. It's an Orthodox Internet Radio station that broadcasts Orthodox services, music, and lectures 24/7. What's great about the music is that they vary the styles between Slavic, Greek, and Arabic, and also broadcast it in different languages. It's pretty cool!

As far as good Orthodox resources, check out the sticky "For Those New to Orthodoxy" for recommended reading and websites.

Hope this helps!

In XC,

Maureen

 

[Xpycoctomos]

Tallow is animal fat rendered into candles. It's smelly, smoky, and messy.

Thanks Choirfiend. that really does add a lot of insight as to why the east might have used Beeswax... if those were the two alternatives.. the choice seems quite obvious. tallow... nasty!

 

[Oblio]

If you are short on tallow, you can always light a frozen penquin. I saw one on an icon of St. Herman once, he was using them to mark out a helicopter landing spot.

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

If you are short on tallow, you can always light a frozen penquin. I saw one on an icon of St. Herman once, he was using them to mark out a helicopter landing spot.

Yes, because we all have frozen penguins readily available!

 

[Xpycoctomos]

If you are short on tallow, you can always light a frozen penquin. I saw one on an icon of St. Herman once, he was using them to mark out a helicopter landing spot.

**hoping the penguin was dead and not just comatose**

 

[choirfiend]

If you are short on tallow, you can always light a frozen penquin. I saw one on an icon of St. Herman once, he was using them to mark out a helicopter landing spot.

Haha, very funny

 

[Khaleas]

Yes, because we all have frozen penguins readily available!

What do you mean, you don't have frozen penguins available??? Must be an MP thing...

 

[ravynangel1980]

Hi,

Thanks Maureen for the response and the suggestions about handling the taper candles. I'll just have to experiment when I buy some of those candles to see what works best for me here at my home.

Thanks for the link to Ancient Faith Radio. Wow. That is an amazing site. I love it so much already. I look forward to listening to it more in the future. It's neat that they play music of various cultures. I like that.

Thanks also for the link to the sticky about Orthodox resources for newcomers. I look forward to checking that out. I'm eager to read more about Eastern Orthodoxy.

Take care. God bless you.

Sincerely,
Sarah

I'm not sure about cutting them down, but I would just burn them like you would burn any taper candle. The first time you burn them, just put it on a paper plate or something to see if and how much it will drip. Other than that, I would just use a regular taper candle holder. You could do the whole bowl & sand thing, but it's not neccasary. In regards to size, I guess it would be up to the individual merchant as to what size they sell.

If you enjoy Orthodox music, you may want to check out Ancient Faith Radio. It's an Orthodox Internet Radio station that broadcasts Orthodox services, music, and lectures 24/7. What's great about the music is that they vary the styles between Slavic, Greek, and Arabic, and also broadcast it in different languages. It's pretty cool!

As far as good Orthodox resources, check out the sticky "For Those New to Orthodoxy" for recommended reading and websites.

Hope this helps!

In XC,

Maureen

 

[Theophorus]

This is my prayer corner....at night.

The big one in the middle is beeswax, purchased for lent. The two on either side are paraffin, blessed at a service at my parish. The one on the right is beeswax, hand made by a dear friend.


Sometimes I light only one, sometimes I light three for the Trinity, sometimes I light all for for each icon on the wall. Sometimes I light none of them.

 

[EvangeliGirl]

This is my prayer corner....at night.

The big one in the middle is beeswax, purchased for lent. The two on either side are paraffin, blessed at a service at my parish. The one on the right is beeswax, hand made by a dear friend.


Sometimes I light only one, sometimes I light three for the Trinity, sometimes I light all for for each icon on the wall. Sometimes I light none of them.

Oooooo, pretty...

 

[ravynangel1980]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing that with us. It is quite beautiful. It looks as if it would defintely be a very spiritually inspiring place for devotion and prayer. It is nice to see what different people have done at their homes with their prayer/icon corners.

As a Catholic, I've had three candles at the back of my devotional table. They are my altar candles. I use three to represent the Trinity. I've been using paraffin tapers for that. At the front of my table, I have a votive candle that I light when I pray, similar to the ones we have at our church.

God bless,
Sarah

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Hi,

Thanks Maureen for the response and the suggestions about handling the taper candles. I'll just have to experiment when I buy some of those candles to see what works best for me here at my home.

Thanks for the link to Ancient Faith Radio. Wow. That is an amazing site. I love it so much already. I look forward to listening to it more in the future. It's neat that they play music of various cultures. I like that.

Thanks also for the link to the sticky about Orthodox resources for newcomers. I look forward to checking that out. I'm eager to read more about Eastern Orthodoxy.

Take care. God bless you.

Sincerely,
Sarah

Glad to be of help! Feel free to ask any questions you may have!

 

[ravynangel1980]

Hi,

I do hope that everyone is doing well. Thanks again for all the great response I've gotten. I appreciate it very much.

I mentioned in an earlier post of mine how I have the candles set up on my devotional/prayer table. Right now I've been using a nightstand, but I think it's too small. I want to start using an old student desk that I really don't use for anything anymore. Like I said I've been using three candles at the back of the nightstand as altar candles. I know a lot of people probably use two, but I liked to use three to represent the Trinity. I've been using either tapers for that or the glass candles. Then at the front of the table, I have a votive candle that I light when I say my prayers and do my devotion. I will also light a stick of incense (it's usually a stick of myrrh/frankincense incense).

I've never been much of a fan of statuary for some reason. I know a lot of Catholics are more into statues, but I've always preferred pictures. The more I discover about icongraphy I am falling in love with the sacredness and beauty of them.

I also really like the beeswax candles, both the long skinny tapers and the votives, that I've seen used by Orthodox Christians. I like the idea of using them in my home.

What I'm thinking of doing is this. I'm curious to hear anyone's thoughts on this. That I could continue to use three candles at the back of my table as altar candles. I could use beeswax votives for them. Then at the front of my table, I could use the long skinny tapers for when I say my prayers and do my devotion. I guess I could usually lit one, unless I have several people that I'm praying for. That's how I've done in my private practice up to this point. What do you think about that?

Do Orthodox Christians usually light candles when they say their prayers or just light incense?

How do you put out those candles? Is it ok to blow them out or should you use something like a candle snuffer?

Thanks. Take care. God bless you.

Sincerely,
Sarah

 

[Xpycoctomos]

Do what ever helps you pray. More importantly than the candles and even the icons is a good prayer book. If you feel you are ready or that it would aid you there are some good prayer books out there that we can recommend

1. the famous littel red Prayer Book the Antiochian Chruch puts out.

2. the Jordanville Prayerbook (much more intense... written for monks... but a priest can help adapt it to lay people)

and there's a lot of great pryers on line that people can reccomend you. But, of course, this is important to check with a spiritual father of some sort. So, you may want to hold off until you can get in touch with that priest at the small mission.