Katrina Rosales
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, dating back to the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization in 3600 BC. The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and it has been employed in worship by Christians since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, and some Anglican Churches. However, the use of incense was not present in early Christian practices due to its association with pagan sacrifices and honoring the emperor as a deity. Today, incense is used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, and at other services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of Incense Use in Christianity | The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible. |
| Incense has been used in Christian worship since antiquity, particularly in Catholic, Orthodox, and some Anglican churches. | |
| Incense was not used in early Christian practices due to its association with pagan sacrifices and emperor worship. | |
| It was adopted in the 4th or 5th century by Christians, possibly to cover smells or as a symbolic reminder of burnt sacrifices. | |
| The practice has origins in earlier Jewish traditions during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. | |
| The use of incense by Jews and Israelites is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in Psalms and the Book of Revelation. | |
| Most Protestant churches reject the use of incense due to its association with the Old Testament sacrificial system. | |
| Symbolism and Interpretation | The smoke of burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. |
| Incense is seen as a reminder that the entire world is sacred, blurring the distinction between the holy and the mundane. | |
| It can also symbolize the incorruptibility of God and the transformation from body to soul. | |
| Incense may be used as part of a purification ritual. | |
| Usage | Incense is used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn services, funerals, and other rituals. |
| It is often burned during specific parts of the Mass, such as the entrance procession, proclamation of the gospel, offertory, and elevation of the Eucharist. | |
| Grains of blessed incense are placed in the Paschal candle and were formerly placed in the sepulchre of consecrated altars. | |
| Various formulations of incense are used, often including frankincense, benzoin, myrrh, styrax, or other aromatics. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in Christian worship
The use of incense in Christian worship is believed to have originated in antiquity, with the practice rooted in the traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. Incense has been employed in Christian worship since ancient times, especially in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches.
In Christian worship, incense is often used during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, Solemn Vespers, Solemn Evensong, funerals, benediction, and the exposition of the Eucharist, among other services. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted by Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to heaven. This symbolism is reflected in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice." Similarly, in the Revelation of John, incense symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven, with the "golden bowl full of incense" representing "the prayers of the saints" (Revelation 5:8, cf. Revelation 8:3).
The use of incense in Christian worship is not without controversy. Some Christians, particularly those with a background in paganism, may struggle with the practice due to its historical association with pagan rituals and idolatrous practices. The use of incense was notably absent in early Christian traditions, possibly due to its connection with pagan sacrifices and emperor worship. It wasn't until the 4th or 5th century that incense began to be incorporated into ordinary Christian worship.
Today, the use of incense in Christian worship varies across different denominations. While some churches, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches, and Anglican churches, employ incense regularly, other churches may use it more sparingly or not at all. The method of burning incense also varies, with some churches using a thurible (censer) carried by a thurifer (server) during processions, while others place grains of blessed incense in the Paschal candle or use it to purify the coffin at funerals.
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Incense in the Bible
The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible. Incense has been employed in worship by Christians since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church/Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches and some Anglican Churches.
The Bible mentions incense being used in ancient religious practices, such as in the time of the Israelites (Exodus 30) and the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty, 2345-2494 BC, were the first in the non-Asian world to use incense. The practice is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism in the time of the Second Jewish Temple.
Incense is often used as part of a purification ritual. In the Revelation of John, incense symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven – the "golden bowl full of incense" are "the prayers of the saints" (Revelation 5:8, cf. Revelation 8:3-5) which infuse upwards towards the altar of God. In Psalm 141 (140), verse 2, David writes: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice." This verse is sung daily at Vespers, as the new liturgical day begins with an "evening sacrifice" of prayer and incense.
Incense is used at the celebration of the Eucharist, Solemn Vespers, Solemn Evensong, funerals, benediction and exposition of the Eucharist, the consecration of a church or altar, and other services. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic churches, incense is used at virtually every service.
However, some Christians may struggle with using incense due to its historical association with pagan religions. The Bible does not explicitly instruct Christians to burn incense, and some passages warn against the misuse of incense in idolatrous practices (Isaiah 1:13, Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 10:23-33).
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Incense in prayer
Incense has been used in religious rituals since ancient times, with the practice rooted in earlier traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, with its use in prayer and worship carrying a symbolic significance.
In Christian worship, incense is employed during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, and the consecration of churches or altars, among other services. The smoke rising from burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful ascending to heaven. This symbolism is reflected in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice." Similarly, in the Revelation of John, incense symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven, with the smoke infusing upwards towards the altar of God.
The use of incense in Christian prayer is also associated with purification and sanctification. Incense is believed to symbolise the incorruptibility of God, with the transformation of resin into smoke illustrating the transition from body to soul. The scent of incense is thought to permeate the entire church, reminding the congregation that the distinction between what is holy and what is not is blurred, and that the entire world is sacred.
While the use of incense in Christian worship is well-established, some Christians may have reservations due to its historical association with pagan religions. The Bible emphasises the importance of considering those with a weak conscience who may interpret the use of incense as an approval of idolatrous practices. Ultimately, Christians are called to use their freedom to serve one another in love, navigating their religious practices with sensitivity and respect for diverse perspectives.
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Incense in the Old Testament
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries Christian symbolism. The practice is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism in the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
The first mention of the altar of incense is in Exodus chapter 30, as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The altar was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with four "horns", one at each corner. Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord (Exodus 30:7-8). The altar of incense was never to be used for a burnt offering, a grain offering, or a drink offering (Exodus 30:9). Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would put blood on the horns of the altar of incense to cleanse it (Exodus 30:10).
Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, at his own divine command. This practice was carried by the Church through to the present day. Its sweet fragrance is pleasing to human senses and helps worshippers physically and spiritually lift up their hearts to God. In the time of Christ, incense continued to be offered in the Temple. The early Jewish converts to Christianity continued to worship in the structured fashion they were accustomed to.
In the Old Testament, David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). In his vision of heaven, John saw that the elders around the throne "were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people" (Revelation 5:8; cf. 8:3). As Zechariah the priest was offering incense in the temple in Luke 1:10, "all the assembled worshippers were praying outside". The altar of incense can be seen as a symbol of the prayers of God's people. Our prayers ascend to God as the smoke of the incense ascends in the sanctuary.
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Incense in the Catholic Church
The use of incense in the Catholic Church has a long history, with the practice being rooted in the traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. Incense has been employed in Christian worship since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Catholic Church.
The Bible mentions incense 170 times, and its use in prayer and worship carries a Christian symbolism. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice". Similarly, in the Book of Revelation, angels are described as using incense to offer prayers to God. The smoke of incense is also believed to symbolise the purification and sanctification of the altar and the sanctuary area.
Incense is used in various liturgical celebrations and rituals within the Catholic Church. It is employed during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, during the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, at the Offertory to incense the offerings, altar, priest and people, and at the elevation of the Eucharist after the consecration. Incense is also used during funeral Masses, where the priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to God.
The use of incense in the Catholic Church is not without controversy. Some Christians, particularly those with breathing difficulties, may find it problematic due to its association with pagan religions. However, the Catholic Church emphasises the engagement of the senses, including smell, as a way to help the congregation enter more deeply into prayer and understand faith differently.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible. Psalm 141 (140), verse 2 says, "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice." The book of Revelation also talks about angels using incense to offer prayers to God.
The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty, 2345-2494 BC, were the first in the non-Asian world to discover the use of incense. Incense use in religious ritual was then further or simultaneously developed in China. However, the use of incense in ordinary Christian worship started in the 4th or 5th century.
The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by Christians as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Incense is also used as a part of purification rituals.
The use of incense is prevalent in the Roman Catholic Church/Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. Incense is also increasingly being used in other Christian groups such as Methodism.
Yes, the use of incense is controversial among some Christians due to its historical association with pagan religions and sacrifices. Puritans and followers of Calvin vehemently rejected the use of incense, arguing that it was a part of the Old Testament ceremonial law and should not be continued under the New Covenant.
