Heidi Norton
Incense is burned in churches of various denominations, including Catholic, Orthodox Christian, Lutheran, Anglican, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic churches. The practice of burning incense in religious ceremonies is ancient, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization in 3600 BC. The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its burning is interpreted as a symbol of prayer rising to heaven. The specific scent of incense used in churches varies, but it often includes frankincense and myrrh, resulting in a rich, sweet, smoky, and spicy aroma.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Symbolism, purification, and sanctification |
| Religious use | Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, Judaism |
| Ingredients | Frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, rosemary, labdanum, ciste, opoponax, olibanum, styrax, copal, aromatics, cassia, sandalwood |
| Blend names | Pontifical, Fumencens, Catacombs |
| Buying options | Catholic supply stores, online religious supply stores, local church |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in Christian worship
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, with the practice having its origins in ancient China, India, Egypt, and the Jewish temple. The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible, such as 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."
In Christian worship, incense is burned during services to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven and to sanctify and purify the space. The smoke and smell of the incense create a link between Heaven and Earth, allowing worshippers to enter into the presence of God. The use of incense in Christian worship dates back to antiquity and has been employed by various denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Churches, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches.
The type of incense used in churches can vary, but it is typically composed of frankincense and myrrh, resulting in a rich, sweet, smoky, and somewhat spicy aroma. Other ingredients that may be included are benzoin, rosemary, styrax, copal, or other aromatics. The specific blend of incense used may depend on the denomination of the church and the occasion, with more intense and expensive blends being reserved for special services.
The process of burning incense in Christian worship is steeped in ritual and reverence. The incense grains are placed in a censer or 'thurible' and burned on charcoal, releasing aromatic smoke that fills the church. The member of the clergy then ''incenses the altar', symbolising the purification of the altar and the sanctification of the ceremony. The visual imagery and scent of the incense enhance the spiritual experience, creating an atmosphere of tranquillity, serenity, and sacredness.
In addition to being burned, grains of blessed incense are also placed in the Paschal candle and were traditionally placed in the sepulchre of consecrated altars, although this practice is no longer mentioned in liturgical books. Incense is used at various solemn occasions, such as the celebration of the Eucharist, funerals, benediction, the consecration of churches or altars, and other services.
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Incense in Catholic churches
Incense has been used in religious worship for thousands of years, including in the Catholic Church. The Bible mentions incense 170 times, and its use in Catholic liturgical celebrations is believed to have been influenced by Jewish temple worship. The earliest documented history of incense use in the Catholic Church comes from the Eastern branch, with the rituals of the 5th-century Divine Liturgies of Saint James and Saint Mark.
In the Catholic Church, incense is burned during significant moments in the Mass. For example, before the proclamation of the Gospel, incense is used alongside candles "to nourish the faith of believers." At the Offertory, the gifts of bread and wine are incensed to symbolise the Church's offering and prayers rising to God. Incense is also burned to purify the altar and to symbolise the prayers of the faithful ascending to heaven.
The type of incense burned in Catholic churches varies, but two common types are frankincense and myrrh. Frankincense has a sweet, citrusy, and slightly piney aroma, while myrrh is richer, smokier, and slightly bitter. Other types of incense, such as benzoin and copal, may be added to create a unique and distinctive blend.
The use of incense in the Catholic Church is steeped in symbolism and tradition. According to the Catholic Encyclopaedia, it bears a symbolic meaning and has deep roots in ancient Catholic tradition. The visual imagery of the smoke and the sweet fragrance reinforce the transcendence of the Mass, linking Heaven and Earth, and allowing the congregation to enter into the presence of God. The act of burning incense symbolises the purification of the altar and the ascent of prayers to heaven.
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Incense in Orthodox churches
Incense is an integral part of Orthodox Christian worship and is burned in every church service. It is typically burned as an offering to God, symbolising prayer and representing prayers ascending to God. The burning of incense is also mentioned in the Old Testament, where its use was common in Jewish worship in the Temple at Jerusalem.
The incense used in Orthodox churches is often made from a mix of spices and gums, herbs, flowers, or resins, such as frankincense or myrrh. The organic material is ground into a fine powder and mixed with a binding agent like powdered orris root, then moistened with rosewater or distilled water. Incense cones are commonly used, burned with the help of a special type of charcoal. The charcoal and incense ashes are later buried in the ground or placed along the foundation of the building.
The incense is burned in a metal vessel called a censer or thurible, which has a sliding cover to regulate the burning of charcoal. The censer is often ornate and has bells attached to it, creating a jingling sound as the priest uses it. The priest will cense specific areas at certain parts of the liturgy, such as the Holy Altar and icons, as well as towards the congregation, offering them a blessing. The act of censing is symbolic, reminding the congregation of God's presence and that their prayers are rising to the heavens.
The faithful may also burn incense at home during morning and evening prayers, blessing the icons and household members with a hand censer. This practice is done to offer incense as a spiritual fragrance to God and to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit.
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Incense in other Christian denominations
The use of incense in Christian worship is a long-standing tradition, with references to incense appearing throughout the Bible. However, its use is not uniform across all Christian denominations. While Catholics and Orthodox Christians regularly use incense in their services, its presence in Protestant churches is less common, with most branches rejecting its use.
Incense is employed in various Christian rituals, including the celebration of the Eucharist, funerals, and the consecration of churches or altars. It is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, as described in Psalm 141:2, "May my prayer be set before you like incense". Additionally, grains of blessed incense are placed in the Paschal candle.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic churches use incense at almost every service. Incense is also used by some Protestants, although the degree of acceptance varies among the many denominations. Some Protestants view incense as a remnant of Roman Catholic theology and worship, which they seek to distance themselves from. This perspective is influenced by the teachings of Calvin and the Puritans, who rejected the use of incense as a part of the Old Testament ceremonial law.
However, not all Protestants share this view. Some argue that just as Christians still pray and sing psalms, they can also continue to use incense as a symbolic representation of their prayers. They believe that the use of incense does not deny the finished work of Christ but is a matter of conviction, not compulsion.
Outside of traditional Christian denominations, the use of incense may be viewed more sceptically. In some cases, it may be associated with New Age, hippie, or occult practices, particularly in evangelical or fundamentalist circles. However, these associations are not universal, and some families with evangelical or fundamentalist backgrounds regularly burn incense without negative connotations.
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History of incense in religious worship
The use of incense in religious contexts has a long and varied history. Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. It is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils. The specific forms and types of incense differ across cultures and have evolved over time with technological advancements.
Incense has been used in religious contexts since ancient times, with the first recorded use by the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. Ancient China also has a long history of using incense in religious rituals, dating back to around 2000 BCE. Incense was employed in numerous formalized ceremonial rites, with its usage peaking during the Song dynasty. The ancient Egyptians, Hindus, Babylonians, and Israelites also incorporated incense into their religious practices, often as a form of sacrificial offering to deities or for purification rituals.
In Christianity, the use of incense is inspired by passages in the Bible and has been a part of worship practices since antiquity, particularly in Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches. Incense is used during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn vespers, funerals, and other services. It symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven and serves to sanctify and purify the space.
In East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto rites, incense holds a significant role. Incense is burned in temples and shrines, and worshippers light and wave sticks of incense while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors.
The specific types of incense used vary, with common ingredients including frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal, and other aromatics. The sweet-smelling smoke created by burning incense is believed to enhance the spiritual experience and create an atmosphere of tranquility and sacredness.
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Frequently asked questions
The incense burned in churches is typically composed of frankincense and myrrh, resulting in a rich, sweet, smoky, and somewhat spicy aroma. Orthodox churches tend to prefer floral scents, while Western churches opt for heavier spices. Other aromatics that may be used include benzoin, rosemary, styrax, copal, labdanum, ciste, opoponax, and more.
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible. Its use in prayer and worship carries with it a Christian symbolism. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted by Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Incense is also used in purification rituals.
Church incense and burners are accessible at Catholic supply stores and online websites specialising in religious supplies. You can also check with your local church to see if they can point you towards their preferred suppliers.
Incense grains are placed in a censer or 'thurible' and burned, releasing aromatic smoke. A server called a thurifer approaches the person conducting the service with the thurible charged with burning bricks of red-hot charcoal.
Incense is burned during various solemn processions, graveside services, the blessing of new churches, altars, and other sacred items, and during the consecration of holy oils. It is also used at the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, benediction, and other services.
