Katrina Rosales
Incense is used in many religions, including Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, and Shintoism. In Christian worship, incense is used in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic churches. Incense is burned during the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, and other services. While incense is a common practice in many Christian denominations, it is not often associated with Presbyterian churches. However, some Presbyterian churches may choose to incorporate incense into their liturgical practices, especially those that identify with Evangelical Catholic churchmanship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of incense | Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic, Chinese Taoist, Japanese Shinto, Buddhist |
| Reason for use | Symbolism, spiritual experience, prayer, tradition |
| Types of incense | Frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal, other aromatics |
| Incense brands | Three Kings, Alma Incensa |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church has a rich and ancient tradition of using incense during its liturgical celebrations. The use of incense in Catholic liturgy serves to enhance the spiritual experience of worshippers and create a sacred atmosphere conducive to prayer and reflection. The incense smoke is believed to symbolise the purification and sanctification of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
Incense has been used in many religious celebrations for millennia, with the earliest documented history of its use in Catholic liturgy dating back to the 5th century in the Eastern branch of the Church. The rituals of the Divine Liturgies of Saint James and Saint Mark from the 5th century include the use of incense. The Western Church also has a long history of using incense, with the 7th-century Ordo Romanus VIII of Saint Amand mentioning its use during the procession of a bishop to the altar on Good Friday.
The Catholic Church uses a specific blend of aromatic substances for incense, known as "church incense" or "holy incense." This blend typically includes sacred aromas such as frankincense, myrrh, stacte, galbanum, and benzoin. Each type of incense has its own unique properties and symbolism. For example, frankincense is believed to symbolise the presence of God and the divinity of Jesus, while myrrh, with its bittersweet scent, represents suffering and death, as it was one of the gifts presented to Jesus at his birth.
Incense is used in various solemn processions, graveside services, the blessing of new churches, altars, and sacred vessels, and during the singing of the Gospel canticle at Morning and Evening Prayers. It is also used during the Mass, with the General Instruction of the Roman Missal specifying its use during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, at the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, and at the offertory to incense the offerings, altar, priest, and people. During funeral Masses, the priest may incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to God.
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Incense in Orthodox Church services
The use of incense in Orthodox Church services is steeped in history and symbolism. It is an integral part of Orthodox Christian worship, with incense used in every church service. The practice has its roots in early Christian worship, which was influenced by Judaic rituals where incense was a regular feature of temple ceremonies.
In Orthodox services, incense is a symbol of prayer. The smoke rising towards the heavens represents prayers being elevated to God. This imagery is rooted in the Bible, specifically Psalms 141:2, which says, "Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee." Incense is also used to bless icons and the congregation, signifying God's presence and serving as a mark of reverence and purification. The sensory experience of incense creates a sacred atmosphere, setting the service apart from the outside world.
The type and amount of incense used can vary depending on the liturgical calendar and the specific church service. For instance, more incense is burned during high feasts, while less is used during regular services. The preparation of incense for Orthodox services is a meticulous ritual in itself. Priests or their assistants combine frankincense, a tree resin, with aromatic oils to create a unique scent. This blend is then placed in a "censor" or "censer", a device often adorned with bells to create a jingling sound as the priest uses it.
The use of incense in Orthodox Christianity is not just a formality but a gateway to the divine. It serves as a reminder of the faith's rich history and tradition, connecting believers to centuries of ritual and spiritual significance.
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Incense in Lutheran churches
Incense has been used in Christian worship for centuries. Its first recorded use in Scripture is in Exodus 25:6, which mentions it in connection with the construction of the tabernacle. Incense is believed to symbolize several things in Christian worship, such as the prayers that God's people raise to him.
However, it is important to note that the use of incense varies among different Christian denominations. While it is an integral part of Catholic liturgy and worship, with the Catholic Church using a specific blend of aromatic substances known as "church incense" or "holy incense," it has been largely excluded by Protestants. This exclusion can be traced back to the Reformation, when Protestants reacted against many practices associated with the Roman Catholic Church.
Lutheran churches, as part of the Protestant tradition, have generally not included incense in their worship services. The primary reason for this exclusion has been the historical objection that incense is "too Catholic." However, some Lutheran pastors and congregations are re-evaluating this stance and arguing that incense can be a meaningful part of Christian worship, regardless of its association with Catholic traditions.
While there is a growing openness to incorporating incense in Lutheran piety, it is not yet a common practice in Lutheran churches. Those who support its inclusion emphasize that the use of incense in Christian worship extends far beyond Catholic liturgy and that its symbolic value can enhance the spiritual experience of Lutherans as well.
In conclusion, while incense has not traditionally been used in Lutheran churches due to historical objections, there is a growing acknowledgement that it can be a meaningful part of Christian worship across denominational lines. As such, it is possible that incense may become more commonly incorporated into Lutheran piety in the future.
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Incense in Anglican churches
The use of incense in Anglican churches has a complex history. Incense has been used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, and other services. In the Anglican Church, incense is used at virtually every service in Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, and Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship.
The use of incense in the Anglican Church is a reliable guide to churchmanship, indicating how 'high' (more Catholic in liturgical style) or 'low' (more Reformed) the church is. Anglo-Catholic churches may use generous amounts of incense, while some middle-of-the-road Anglican churches use incense sparingly for special occasions.
The number of points within the liturgy at which an Anglican church may use incense varies. If used during the entrance procession, a thurifer leads the procession with a smoking thurible, censing the altar upon arrival. Anglican churches may also use incense at the reading of the gospel, censing the book left, centre, and right. If incense is used at only one point in the service, it is typically during the offertory, where the gifts, the altar, the priest, other clergy, the choir, and the congregation are censed. Incense is also used during Solemn Evensong, a sung celebration of vespers with incense.
The use of incense in Christian worship has origins in the pagan civic and religious practices of the ancient Mediterranean world. Non-Jewish Christians who adopted the practice justified it with references to the Old Testament and the New Testament. They interpreted Malachi 1:11 as a precedent for their use of incense, despite the unmet conditions of Malachi's prophecy.
The practice of using incense in Anglican worship has faced historical opposition. English Reformers, including the reigns of Edward VI and Elizabeth I, rejected the use of incense. During Elizabeth's reign, the interiors of English churches were whitewashed, rood screens were removed, and stone altars were replaced. Some Reformed bishops disapproved of Elizabeth's continued use of a silver crucifix and eucharistic vestments in the royal chapel.
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Incense in Presbyterian churches
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. In the non-Asian world, the Egyptians were the first to use incense during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC). Since then, incense has been used in various religious traditions, including Christianity.
The Catholic Church, in particular, has a long and rich history of using incense in its liturgical practices. The incense is burned during Mass, adding a sensory element to the spiritual experience and creating a sacred atmosphere. The smoke from the incense symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven and the presence of God. The specific types of incense used in the Catholic Church include frankincense, myrrh, and benzoin, each with its own unique aroma and significance.
While the use of incense is prevalent in Catholic liturgy, it is not commonly associated with Presbyterian churches. The Presbyterian form of worship typically emphasizes simplicity and a direct connection with God through prayer and the reading of Scripture, rather than ritualistic practices. However, it is important to note that there may be some individual Presbyterian churches or denominations that incorporate incense into their worship services as a way to enhance the spiritual atmosphere.
The Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterian Churches is a prominent religious organization within the Presbyterian tradition. While there is no indication that this particular group uses incense in their services, they do place a strong emphasis on biblical authority and evangelism, which may leave room for the incorporation of symbolic rituals such as the use of incense.
In conclusion, while the use of incense is not a common practice in Presbyterian churches, it is possible that some individual congregations or denominations may choose to incorporate it as a way to enhance the spiritual experience of their members. The decision to use incense would likely depend on the specific beliefs and practices of each Presbyterian church, as there is a wide range of diversity within the denomination.
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