Lighting Candles

Lighting candles is an important part of Orthodox worship. We light them as we pray, making an offering to accompany our prayers. Orthodox typically light candles in the Narthex when coming into Church - and many bring candles to the front of the Church, to light for a specific Saint. It is not proper to bring those candles up to the front during the Epistle or Gospel readings, sermon, and most of the time when the faithful are standing. If you find yourself arriving at Church after the Liturgy has begun, a good rule of thumb to remember is - if everyone is standing, wait until they are sitting to light a candle.