Antonio Mcgowan
Incense has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies, including in ancient Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East. In Christianity, incense is used in the Mass, where it is burned to reverence people and things. The practice is also mentioned in the Bible, where it is described as being used in heavenly worship in Saint John's Revelation. While the use of incense is not mandated in Scripture, it is still used in some Christian traditions today, including the Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, and Lutheran churches. Incense is also used in private homes by Christians who wish to create an atmosphere of churchly peace in their place of prayer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense used by Jesus | Frankincense |
| Incense use in the Bible | Incense is described in the last book of the Bible, Saint John's Revelation |
| Incense use in Christianity | Used in the Mass, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and other ceremonies |
| Incense use in Judaism | Used in the tabernacle in the wilderness |
| Incense use in Hinduism | The incense stick is rotated between the palms before being placed in a holder in honor of the gods |
| Incense use in Buddhism | Used to burn the scalps or arms of monks and nuns |
| Incense use in ancient times | Used in ancient Egypt, China, India, the Middle East, and Near East countries |
| Incense use in modern times | Used in Orthodox Christian worship, Roman Catholic tradition, Lutheran churches, neo-paganism, and Wiccan practices |
| Purpose of incense use | Symbol of prayer, worship, reverence, dedication, and purification |
| Incense ingredients | Storax, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense |
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What You'll Learn
Incense was offered to Jesus by the Magi
Incense has been used for religious purposes in ancient Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East, as well as the Near East countries. It is also used in secular contexts, such as air fresheners or to create the atmosphere of a wood fire.
The use of incense is prevalent in many religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity. In Judaism, there is a long tradition of incense use, dating back to the tabernacle in the wilderness. God provided instructions for constructing the altar of incense, which was placed in the Holy Place before the Holy of Holies.
In Christianity, the Bible mentions incense in Saint John's Revelation, where incense is used in heavenly worship. Incense is offered to God as a symbol of prayer, carrying the petitions of the saints to heaven. It is also used in private homes by Christians who wish to create a church-like atmosphere in their place of prayer.
The burning of incense is also mentioned in the Old Testament, where God gave Moses and Aaron instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord as a holy act of worship.
The early Jewish converts to Christianity continued to incorporate incense into their worship practices, as evidenced by early Christian liturgies like the Divine Liturgy of Saint James. Today, incense is still used by priests within the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic tradition, and some Lutheran churches. It is also used in the emergent church movement to return to "vintage" Christianity.
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Incense is used in Christian Mass
Incense has been used in religious rituals for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilisations in India, Egypt, China, and the Middle East. The burning of incense is a divine command, with God giving Moses and Aaron instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense.
The use of incense in Christian Mass is optional, and some Catholic priests choose not to use it. The type of incense used in today's liturgies is often made with frankincense, a resin produced by desert trees in southern Arabia. It is derived from a sap that dries, forming crystalline lumps of an amber/gold colour.
The act of incensing is a mark of honour paid to the offerings that will become the Body and Blood of Christ. It also extends honour to those participating in the celebration and their offerings. Incense is used at various points in the Mass, such as during the Offertory, where the priest may incense the gifts on the altar, the cross, and the altar itself. The number of spoonfuls of incense used can vary from one to three, with each amount holding a symbolic meaning.
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Incense is used in private homes
The use of incense has a long history in religious contexts, including in ancient Egypt, China, India, the Middle East, and Buddhism. Within Christianity, the burning of incense is a divine command, with God giving Moses and Aaron instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, and this practice has continued to the present day in the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox churches.
Incense is also used in private homes by Christians who wish to give their place of prayer an atmosphere of churchly peace, helping to bring to mind the common prayer of all Christians in all places. For some, incense is simply enjoyed for its fragrance and the visual beauty of its smoke, and there is no prohibition on Christians burning incense for secular purposes. However, some Christians may struggle with using incense due to its association with pagan religions and idolatrous practices.
The type of incense used in Christian worship is significant. In Exodus 30, Moses is given a formula for incense to be used solely in the worship of Yahweh, consisting of equal parts storax, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. The use of frankincense in particular is common in Christian liturgies, as it has been associated with Christ since the gifts of the Magi.
The act of burning incense is often accompanied by specific rituals and symbolism. For example, in the Mass, one, two, or three spoons of incense may be used, with each amount calling to mind different aspects of God and Christ. Incense is also used to honour holy people and things, such as the Book of Gospels, the altar, and the Easter candle.
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Incense is a divine command
Incense has been used for religious purposes in ancient Egypt, China, India, the Middle East, and Buddhism. It is also a part of Roman Catholic tradition and some Lutheran churches.
Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, and its sweet fragrance is a symbol of prayer. In Psalm 141, it is written, "Let my prayer come like incense before you." Incense is also used in private homes by Christians who wish to create an atmosphere of churchly peace and bring to mind the common prayer of all Christians.
The use of incense in Christianity can be traced back to the Magi, who offered frankincense to the newborn Christ, recognising his divinity. The early Jewish converts to Christianity continued to use incense in their worship, and it is mentioned in the Divine Liturgy of Saint James, one of the oldest Christian liturgies.
In the Mass, incense is used to reverence people and things, such as the altar, the cross, and the offerings that will become the Body and Blood of Christ. The number of spoonfuls of incense placed on the burning charcoal can also have symbolic meanings, with one spoonful representing the Oneness of God, and two spoonfuls pointing to the two natures of Christ (human and divine).
While some Christians may struggle with the use of incense due to its association with pagan religions, it is important to note that the Bible distinguishes between the use of incense for the true God and its use for idols. Ultimately, the decision to burn incense or not is a matter of personal conviction for Christians.
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Incense is used in the Orthodox Church
The use of incense in the Orthodox Church is a sensory experience that engages believers in the sacred mysteries. It is a symbol of prayer and a mark of reverence and purification. The smoke rising towards the heavens visually embodies the prayers elevating to God. Incense is burned during services in a metal vessel called a censer or thurible, which has a sliding cover to regulate the burning of charcoal. The censer is believed to lead the way during processions, emphasising the movement from one holy space to another.
The use of incense in Orthodox worship is not just a tradition but a deeply immersive practice that elevates the spirit. It marks the transition of the mundane into the extraordinary, a physical manifestation of the church as a slice of heaven on earth. It is also used in private homes by the faithful who wish to give their place of prayer an atmosphere of churchly peace.
The Bible describes the use of incense in Saint John's Revelation, where incense is used in heavenly worship (5:8) and represents the prayers of the saints (8:3-4). The burning of incense is a divine command, with God giving Moses and Aaron instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense (Exodus 30).
The integration of incense in Orthodox worship reinforces the transcendence of the liturgy, bridging the gap between heaven and earth. It is a core expression of theological truths, a simple way to recall core truths about God.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is a matter of conviction. However, the purpose of burning incense must be considered.
Frankincense was among the gifts of the Magi to the newborn Christ. It was also used in the early days of Christianity.
Incense is used to honour holy people and holy things. It is also a sign of reverence and dedication.
The Bible mentions incense in the Book of Exodus, where God commands Moses to build an altar for burning incense. It is also mentioned in Saint John's Revelation as a symbol of worship.
Yes, the use of incense varies among denominations. It is commonly used in Orthodox Christian worship and can also be found in Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican traditions.
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