Seamus Hammond
Incense is burned in many different types of churches, including Orthodox churches, and is a tradition that dates back thousands of years. In Orthodox churches, incense is burned during services and used to cense icons and other holy objects, as well as people. The incense is placed in a metal vessel called a censer or thurible, which is suspended on chains and swung to distribute the fragrant smoke. The incense itself is made from resins, gums, or grains, and the quality is considered very important. The smoke of the incense is believed to symbolise prayer, with the fragrant smoke representing prayers rising to God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Livani, Thymiatizo, Thymiato, Thymiama |
| Etymology | Thymiama means any material that releases a beautiful fragrance |
| History | Used by the three Wise Men as gifts to the Christ Child |
| Symbolism | Prayer, devotion, spirituality |
| Burning method | Placed in a censer or thurible, a metal vessel that hangs on chains and has a sliding cover to regulate burning |
| Incense type | Resin, grains, gums |
| Scents | Floral, powdery, gardenia, frankincense, moscholivano, jasmine, lavender, rose, myrrh |
| Charcoal | Required for burning incense; mini-sized charcoal preferred |
| Other tools | Smokeless censer with beeswax tea candles |
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What You'll Learn
Incense symbolises prayer
Incense burning is a ritual that is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Orthodox faith. It is believed that the sweet fragrance of the incense carries the prayers of the worshippers up to God, creating a spiritual connection between the earthly and heavenly realms. This is evident in the verse: "Let my prayer come before thee as incense, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice." (Psalm 141:2) The smoke of the incense rising towards the heavens symbolises the prayers of the faithful ascending and creating a sacred atmosphere that enhances the spiritual experience of the worshippers.
In Orthodox Christianity, incense is not merely a fragrant offering but a vital part of worship. It is believed to symbolise the transcendental presence of God Himself, as well as the Holy Spirit. The filling of the church with the fragrance of incense is likened to the filling of the hearts of the faithful with the presence of the Holy Spirit, guiding and inspiring them in their worship. The act of burning incense is also seen as a form of purification, cleansing the atmosphere and creating a sense of holiness and reverence.
The use of incense in the Orthodox Church can be traced back to early Christian worship, with its origins possibly dating back even further to Jewish worship in the Temple at Jerusalem. Over time, the practice of burning incense evolved from a ritual to a symbol of deep spiritual significance. In addition to its use in churches, incense burning is also common in Greek households, where it is used alongside the lighting of a special vigil oil lamp called a "kantilaki".
Incense, or “livani" in Greek, is derived from the Arabic word "lubban", which describes the sweet-smelling resin obtained from the Boswellia tree found in several countries in Africa and the Middle East. The quality of the livani is considered important, and it is often purchased from monasteries, where monks create incense with various aromas, including gardenia, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, rose, and myrrh.
The burning of incense during Orthodox worship services is thus a powerful symbol of prayer, purification, and the presence of the divine, enhancing the spiritual experience of the faithful.
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Incense is burned in a censer or thurible
Incense burning is a central part of rituals, offerings, and festivals in the Orthodox Church. The burning of incense represents the prayers of the faithful rising towards Heaven as a sweet-smelling fragrance. Incense is burned in a censer or thurible, which is a metal vessel that hangs on three or four chains and has a sliding cover to regulate the burning of charcoal. The censer or thurible is filled with hot coals, and the incense is placed on top. The vessel is then swung back and forth on its chains, spreading the fragrant smoke.
The censer or thurible is used during important Orthodox services and can be found in various sizes and shapes, from small tabletop versions to large, hanging varieties. The censer used in liturgical services contains a bowl or receptacle that represents the Church and the Holy Theotokos, who contained within her womb the Divine Fire. The chains on the censer typically have twelve small bells, representing the voices of the disciples proclaiming the Gospel, based on the teachings of the four Evangelists.
The act of burning incense in the Orthodox Church is a symbolic representation of prayer. The faithful often burn incense using a hand censer during morning and evening prayers, blessing the Holy Icons and all household members. This practice is also done in homes during morning and evening prayers, where the head of the household will light the "kantilaki", a special vigil oil lamp.
The incense burned in Orthodox churches is typically resin incense with different scents. The resin is often infused with floral oils, producing a fragrant scent when burned. In the Athonite tradition, incense is sprinkled with clay dust to prevent clumping. Charcoal is used as a heat source for burning incense, and the quality of the charcoal and incense is important to ensure a slow and consistent burn.
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Charcoal is used to burn incense
Incense burning is a central part of rituals, offerings, and festivals in many religions, including Orthodox Christianity. In the Orthodox Church, incense is burned in a metal vessel called a censer or thurible, which hangs on three chains and has a sliding cover to regulate the burning of charcoal. The charcoal used in this process is often referred to as "karvounakia" in Greek, and there are numerous varieties available.
To burn incense with charcoal, one must first light the charcoal. It is recommended to light both ends of the charcoal and wait for the sparks to dissipate. Once the charcoal is glowing, one can apply the incense. To control the amount of smoke produced, the distance between the charcoal and the incense can be adjusted using a grate. Additionally, the heat of the charcoal can be reduced by allowing it to burn for a while and develop a layer of ash before placing the incense on it. This technique is particularly useful when burning incense that contains gums and waxes, as they can produce an unpleasant smell when burned directly on hot charcoal.
When burning incense with charcoal, it is important to use tongs for safety. Additionally, placing the charcoal in a cauldron or using sand or salt on the coal can help manage the heat and prevent the bowl from getting too hot. Some people also use tea light incense heaters to enjoy the scent of incense without producing excessive smoke.
The incense used in Orthodox churches is typically in the form of resins, grains, or gums, and it is made from various aromatic substances. Commonly, it is derived from the Boswellia tree, which is found in Yemen, Oman, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. The incense is often referred to as "livani" in Greek, and it carries symbolic and religious significance. The act of burning incense represents prayer and is believed to symbolize the ascent of prayers to God.
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Incense is made from resins, gums or grains
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies and spiritual practices for centuries. Orthodox churches typically use resin incense, which tends to resemble small pebbles with a smooth surface. However, the specific type of incense used may vary depending on the priest's preferences.
Resin incense can be made from natural tree resins, such as frankincense or myrrh, which can be purchased or collected from conifer tree sap. When collecting resin, it is important to gather only the hardened pieces found on the ground or at the base of the tree, as the soft resin still on the tree serves a protective function. To make the resin easier to crush, it can be placed in a freezer for a few hours until it becomes brittle.
In addition to resins, incense can also be made from gums or grains. To make incense from gum, one can use a recipe for joss-style incense, which includes ground sandalwood, guar gum, and water. The guar gum and water are combined to create a sticky substance that binds the sandalwood together. This mixture is then formed into cones or sticks and allowed to dry.
Incense grains can be made by combining ground incense with screws and heating the mixture in a microwave until the incense becomes sticky. The screws are then placed upright in the warm incense, creating incense grains that can be used in candles or burned directly.
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Incense is burned during Orthodox services
The burning of incense is also said to sanctify the environment and the senses, creating a space that feels separate from the outside world. The incense itself is a mix of spices and gums, often frankincense, a tree resin, combined with various aromatic oils to create a specific scent. The quality of the incense is considered to be of utmost importance.
The use of incense also depends on the liturgical calendar and specific church service. For example, more incense is used during high feasts and less during regular services.
In Orthodox churches, incense is burned in a metal vessel called a censer or thurible, which hangs on three chains and has a sliding cover to regulate the burning of charcoal. The chains feature twelve small bells, representing the Disciples.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is a mix of spices and gums that is burned during services to produce fragrant smoke.
The burning of incense symbolizes prayer. The smoke of the incense is thought to represent prayers rising toward God.
Orthodox churches typically burn resin incense, which comes in different scents. The incense is usually placed in a censer or thurible—a metal vessel that hangs on chains and has a sliding cover to regulate the burning of charcoal.
The censer or thurible represents all of God's creation. The ring at the bottom of the censer, for example, symbolizes eternity and God.
