The first Room in the Temple is the Vestibule. It is actually not part
of the Church proper. It corresponds to the Outer Court or Court of the
Gentiles in the Old Testament Temple. Here you will find such as: Books for the Divine Services, other Church
literature, the Candles, and the Prosphora.
Candles
It is beautiful devotion of Orthodox worship to light candles in Church. They represent our prayers and are a wonderful way to express our prayers
to God.They also represent us, given that Jesus said, "You are the light
of the world" (Matt 5:14). And of course they recall us to the Christ who is the True and everlasting
Light (John 1:9).
In our parish, we don't use electric lights, but only candle light.
It allows the icons to shine and glow in the way they were meant to -
allowing us to glimpse the glory of God and and the beauty of the Gospel
of Truth. |