St. Paisios on Prayer and Lighting Candles

 

-Elder, when we light a candle, do we say that it is for some purpose?

 

-You are lighting it, but where do you send it? Aren't you sending it somewhere?

 

With a candle, we are seeking something from God. When you light it, you should say: "For those who are suffering in body and soul", "for those who have the greatest need", and among them is also the living and the reposed.

 

Do you know how much rest the departed sense when we light a candle for them? Thus, one has spiritual communication with the living and with the reposed.

 

The candle, in a few words, is an antenna*** that brings us into communication with God, with the sick, with the departed, etc.

 

***Note: St. Paisios is cleverly showing the resemblance of the words "κεράκι" and "κεραία" ("Candle" and "antenna") in Greek.