There are always lamps in the homes of Orthodox Christians. They are placed next to the most revered icons. It is believed that the fire of the lamp purifies the air from all filth. Those who have such an opportunity try to keep the lamps burning constantly. But modern conditions do not always allow this. There are not so many families where someone could always be at home. Therefore, in most cases, people light lamps when they return home and extinguish when they leave. Even in such a sacred matter, elementary fire safety rules must be observed, otherwise the sacred fire may begin to behave as usual, and then trouble cannot be avoided.
It is necessary
- - Lamp.
- - Lamp oil.
- - Church candle.
- - Matches or lighter.
- - Gauze or cotton cloth.
Instructions
Step 1
Buy lamp oil and a wick in a special church store or in a shop at the temple. If there are none in the neighborhood, then you can make the wick yourself. Cut off a piece of bandage or other cotton fabric. Twist it tightly into a bundle and insert the lamp into the float. Instead of special lamp oil, you can use olive oil.
Step 2
Now some believers light lamps from everything that is at hand. But earlier it was believed that the icon lamp cannot be lit directly from a match, but it is imperative to use a church candle, which is always in an Orthodox house. You can buy candles at the same church store. A candle can be lit both from a match and from a lighter. Do this and read the prayer "Our Father".
Step 3
Light a lamp from a candle. For this occasion, there is a special prayer: “Kindle, Lord, the extinguished lamp of my soul with the light of virtue and enlighten me, Thy creation, the Creator and Benefactor, Thou art the insubstantial Light of the world, accept this material offering: light and fire, and give me an inner light to the mind and fire to the heart. Amen.
Step 4
Make sure that the fire of the lamp is not too high. The lamp, in any case, should not smoke. A light slightly larger than a match head will be enough. If you have several lamps in your house, light them one by one from the same church candle with the appropriate prayer. You can light lamps of different colors on different days. For fasting, dark lamps are intended, and on a holiday it is necessary to light a red one.
