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In October 2025, I shared that we are looking into a paschal candle. 

A paschal candle is a way to make our Easter worship more wonderful in a visual way. 

The Paschal Candle is a symbol of our Lord’s resurrection and His visible presence here on earth during the 40 days after Easter.

The candle is lighted from the new fire kindled at the beginning of the Easter services.

This Easter candle symbolizes many things:

  • Before the minister lights the candle, he draws a cross in the wax. Above the cross he inscribes a letter “A” and below it the letter “O”, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These symbolize that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
  • Then he draws the year on the candle to signify that the risen Christ shall be a “pillar of fire” also in this year to lead us to the heavenly promised land.
  • There are wax nails put into the cross to symbolize the five wounds of Christ.  
  • After the Easter service, the Paschal candle is put next to the altar. It stands there and is light for all the services until the Ascension service.
  • On that day we extinguish it when we hear the words of the Gospel: “He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19)”  (Adapted from What an Altar Guild Should Know, Paul H D Lang

 

A number of people have stepped up to make this paschal candle happen. Someone has gifted it to the congregation. A few people have agreed to make the stand. It will look like the included image. Look for one in the coming months!