Paschal Candle- Easter-A Biblical Significance (Bible Shots-Holy week Special lesson 4) Fr. Benedict

Описание: Dear Friends,
Holy Week Special lesson 4- Easter- a Biblical Significance
1. The name “Easter” derives from the Anglo-Saxon goddess of Spring (Eostre or Ostara), but the Christian festival developed from the Jewish Passover because according to the Gospels the events of Jesus’ last days took place at the time of Passover.
2. Easter is the feast of the resurrection of Jesus from death. This feast has many symbolic meanings representing Jesus.
3. Paschal Candle- represents the body of Jesus reminding of the lamb slaughtered during the Passover feast.
4. The inscriptions on the candle are as follows:
a. Alphabets: Alpha and Omega- these are the first and last letters of Greek Alphabets which indicate that Jesus is the beginning and end of everything.
b. Numbers: represents the current year indicating that Jesus is the Lord of all things especially space and time.
c. Five grains of Incense are placed in the form of a Cross which represents the five wounds of Jesus- hands, rib and feet. It shows that Jesus is both man and God and reminds us of his great love.
d. Flame of the Candle indicates that Jesus is alive. As he said, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12), so in this candle, he is the great light dispelling the darkness.
e. Holy water indicates cleansing and new life. It reminds the redemption of Israelites from Egypt by crossing the Red sea and Jesus the new Moses redeems us through his blood and water that gushed out of his side on the cross.