BACKGROUND
In college, 45 years ago, I had a candle-making business called 3D Waxworks. Over a period of years I accumulated equipment, expertise and a love for candles. Although I gave up the business when I got a real job, I kept the "stuff".
Years later, when we bought a house in San Diego, we acquired a beehive and learned to extract honey and wax. As a beekeeper I know that bees consume about 6-8 pounds of honey in order to produce a pound of wax. Any waste or theft of the wax causes a decrease in hive productivity. Beekeepers have to remove the cappings from honeycomb, but they try not to ruin the comb itself.
These experiences prepared me for the subject of today's blog - recycling beeswax candles. Given the shortage of healthy hives nowadays, anything we can do to help save wax helps the bees as well.
The Church
Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and other churches tend to have candles burning whenever the worship space is used for services or private prayers. These candles are located in various places and serve many purposes. In this blog I am primarily interested in the Orthodox church use of candles.
Altar
Candles are used in the altar area. Two candles are normally placed on the altar table. They are replaced by the trikiron and dikirion ( 3-candle and 2-candle holders) during a hierarchical service. Below you can see one of each being used during a bishop's visit.
A seven-branched candle stand may appear on the altar table or a freestanding candelabra may be used.
Some churches use candles in their chandeliers rather than electrical lamps.
Nave
Candles may be found upon stands in front of icons in the nave, on the iconostasis, and as memorials before the golgotha (icon of Christ crucified).
Narthex
Candle stands are placed in the narthex of some churches. Some stands are comprised of a large flat tray filled with sand, which makes it easy for parishioners to light and place candles. Other stands have many small holders; each accepts a single candle.
During processions, candles are held by the deacons, members of minor orders, and acolytes. Both individual candlesticks, or candles in a glass chimney may be used. During Pascha, a deacon carries a Paschal candle and the bishop or priest uses the Paschal trikiron.
Many Orthodox believers maintain an icon corner in their home, with candles and/or vigil lamps.
Type of Candles
Beeswax candles are preferred over petroleum, soy, gel or artificial candles. There are many reasons suggested for this preference, including:
THE RECYCLING PROJECT
When we began visiting some Orthodox churches about a year ago, I noticed burnt candles being thrown into a box or bin. Chunks of waxy sand were being discarded along with partially-burned candle, stubs and drips.
It seems prudent to use the candles for devotional purposes, but not waste anything in the process. So I asked the priest if I could investigate recycling the wax. He said yes.
Subsequent blog posts will review how we are going about this recycling and reuse project.
- more natural
- no dripping (as long as drafts are minimal)
- no soot (on ceiling or icons)
- smell better
- burn longer
- traditional
- income for monasteries
- non-animal fat (compared with "tallow" candles)
THE RECYCLING PROJECT
When we began visiting some Orthodox churches about a year ago, I noticed burnt candles being thrown into a box or bin. Chunks of waxy sand were being discarded along with partially-burned candle, stubs and drips.
It seems prudent to use the candles for devotional purposes, but not waste anything in the process. So I asked the priest if I could investigate recycling the wax. He said yes.
Subsequent blog posts will review how we are going about this recycling and reuse project.
