This is part of our Virtual Vicar series. In these posts we will answer common questions people have about our parish and about the Episcopal Church as a whole. We would love to hear any questions you may have ranging from great theological conundrums to more basic questions about the service or liturgy. We will do our best to find you answers and find resources to help you further seek out information. Please feel free to comment or email privately if you have a question.
What is the purpose of the candle hanging above the altar at Transfiguration?
If you look up while seated in our sanctuary you will see a candle suspended above the altar. It is called the Sanctuary Candle and it is a symbol in the Episcopal Church of the Light of Christ. It burns continuously as a reminder that the Reserved Sacrament is in the space and always present.It is first lighted during our Easter service and then kept lit until the next year when it is extinguished on Maundy Thursday.
By always having a light in our sanctuary we are saying as a church that Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament, is always available for the sick and dying. It is also a reminder that the Lord is always with us.
In the Jewish Tradition the lamp is known in Hebrew as ner tamid, which translates to eternal light or flame. It represents the menorah of the Temple of Jerusalem and also symbolizes God’s eternal presence.
The scripture this tradition is based on can be found in this passage from Exodus 27:20-21
And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel. (KJV)
This lamp would once have been fueled by oil, and while some churches may take advantage of electric lights, here at Transfiguration we use a seven day candle that is changed out every week. The light of the candle is transferred every Saturday by the Altar Guild and never dims or goes out. I took the pictures for this post a few weeks ago and was able to catch the Sanctuary Candle after it was lit and rising back to its position above the altar.
This post was written by Whitney R Holley