Lance Carson
Incense is a significant part of Orthodox Christian worship, with the incense holder, or censer, playing a central role in the liturgy. The use of incense in Orthodox Christianity is steeped in symbolism and ritual, engaging the senses and enhancing the spiritual experience of the faithful. The incense holder, or censer, is a device used to burn incense, often made of charcoal, and its use varies depending on the liturgical calendar and specific church service. The smoke rising from the censer towards the heavens is believed to visually embody prayers elevating to God, creating a sacred and transcendental atmosphere in the church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Symbol of prayer, mark of reverence and <co: 1,3>purification, reminder of God's presence, offering to God |
| Base Material | Resin of the Boswellia sacra plant (frankincense) |
| Additional Materials | Floral oils, clay dust, powdered orris root, rosewater or distilled water |
| Forms | Cones, sticks, pebbles, powder |
| Scents | Floral, powdery, myrrh, rose |
| Heat Source | Charcoal, beeswax tea candles |
| Burning Device | Censer/censor, hand censer |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in Orthodox worship
Incense is an important part of Orthodox Christian worship, engaging the senses and enhancing the spiritual experience. The use of incense is deeply symbolic, representing the transcendental presence of God and the elevation of prayers to heaven. The practice has biblical roots, with references in the Old Testament and early Christian texts, and has been a part of Orthodox liturgy since at least the 9th century.
In Orthodox Christianity, incense is burned as an offering to God, just as it was in the Jewish temples. It serves as a symbol of prayer, with the rising smoke visually embodying the lifting of prayers to God. This symbolism is reflected in biblical passages such as Psalm 141:2, which states, "Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee." Incense also acts as a mark of reverence and purification, sanctifying the environment and creating a sacred space.
The type of incense used in Orthodox churches varies, with different scents and forms. Typically, the resin of the Boswellia sacra plant (frankincense) or fir trees is used as a base, often mixed with floral oils or powdered herbs and flowers to create different fragrances. Incense cones are commonly used, burned using special charcoal. Athonite Style Incense, made by monks, is another traditional option, suitable for charcoal-burning censers.
The use of incense in Orthodox worship is not limited to churches but is also practised in homes during morning and evening prayers. The head of the household may use a hand censer to bless holy icons and family members. This practice underscores the belief in the divine presence and the power of prayer, reinforcing the significance of incense in Orthodox Christianity.
The amount of incense burned in Orthodox services can vary depending on the liturgical calendar and the specific church service. During high feasts, more incense is typically used, accentuating the sacredness of the occasion. The act of censing, or swinging the censer, is often done by the priest at specific times during the liturgy, such as blessing the Holy Altar and icons. The jingling of bells on the censer adds an auditory dimension to the sensory experience of incense in Orthodox worship.
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Symbolism and biblical references
The use of incense in Orthodox Christianity is steeped in symbolism and biblical references. Incense is burned as an offering to God, in line with Old Testament tradition and references in the book of Exodus. Psalms 141:2 states, "Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee", and this imagery of prayers rising to God like incense smoke is a central idea in Orthodox Christian worship.
The burning of incense is also a mark of reverence and purification, sanctifying the environment and creating a sacred space set apart from the outside world. The use of incense in Orthodox worship can be traced back to early Christian times, influenced by Judaic practices where incense was a regular part of temple rituals. By the fourth century, church fathers like St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great wrote about the purpose and symbolism of incense, cementing its role in Orthodox liturgy.
Incense is typically burned in an ornate device called a "censor" or "censer", which often has bells attached so that the congregation not only smells the fragrance but also hears the jingling sound as the priest uses it. The act of "censing" or "censing" involves the priest blessing various areas and icons with incense at specific points in the liturgy. This ritual is symbolic and serves as a reminder of God's presence, engaging the senses and creating a deeper spiritual experience for the faithful.
The type of incense used in Orthodox churches varies, with different priests and congregations having their own preferences. Commonly, incense cones or sticks are used, with charcoal providing the heat needed for burning. The base of the incense is typically the resin of the Boswellia sacra plant (frankincense) or fir trees, which is often mixed with floral oils or powdered herbs and flowers to create different fragrances.
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Types of incense
The use of incense in Orthodox Christianity is steeped in symbolism and ritual. It is more than just a fragrant offering; it is an integral part of worship that enhances the spiritual experience and engages the senses. Incense serves as a symbol of prayer, marking reverence and purification, and its use varies according to the liturgical calendar and specific church service.
Orthodox churches typically use resin incense, which can come in different scents and fragrances. This type of incense resembles small pebbles with a smooth surface and is derived from plants. It is created by grinding organic materials, such as herbs, flowers, or resins, into a fine powder. This powder is then mixed with a binding agent, moistened with rosewater or distilled water, and either rolled into cones or packed against incense sticks. However, some individuals within the Orthodox community express a preference for floral and powdery incense over resin incense, which they associate with eastern pagan practices.
The Athonite Style Incense, made by monks as part of their daily practice, is an example of traditional Orthodox incense. It is produced from pure frankincense resin and is intended for use in charcoal-burning censers. Charcoal is a crucial component of incense burning in Orthodox churches, as it provides the heat needed for the incense to burn. Special types of charcoal, often sourced from monasteries, are used alongside incense burners or censers.
The use of incense in Orthodox Christianity is not limited to churches but is also commonly practised in homes during personal prayer. The act of burning incense serves as a reminder of the divine presence and the elevation of prayers to God, creating a sacred and sensory experience.
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Incense burners and censers
Incense is an important part of Orthodox Christian worship. It is used to engage the senses and create a deeper spiritual experience. The incense is burned in a device called a censer, which is often ornate and has bells attached. The smoke from the incense and the jingling of the bells are meant to symbolise prayers rising to heaven and to remind worshippers of God's presence.
Censers are also known as incense burners. They are used to contain and burn incense, which is usually in the form of incense cones or resin. The incense is placed on a special type of charcoal inside the censer, which provides the heat needed for the incense to burn. The charcoal is often lit using tongs, and the incense may be added once the sparks have dissipated.
The use of incense burners and censers in Orthodox Christianity has a long history. The practice of burning incense during worship was referenced in the Old Testament and was a regular part of temple rituals in early Judaism. By the fourth century, incense was being referenced explicitly within a Christian context in texts and church teachings. The use of incense in Orthodox Christian worship was formalised by the Eastern Christian churches, including the Orthodox Church, which preserved the essence of these early rituals.
The type of incense used in Orthodox churches varies but typically includes resins such as frankincense and myrrh, which may be infused with floral oils to produce a fragrant scent when burned. In the Athonite tradition, incense is often sprinkled with clay dust to prevent clumping. Incense burners and censers are used during specific instances in the Divine Liturgy, such as when the priest censes the Holy Altar or blesses icons.
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Incense in the home
Incense is used in Orthodox Christianity to symbolise prayer and worship. The smoke rising towards the heavens is said to embody the prayers of the faithful elevating to God. Incense is also used to sanctify the environment and create a sacred space. This practice is not just a fragrant offering but a vital part of worship that engages the senses and draws the faithful into a deeper spiritual experience.
In the home, incense is often burned during morning and evening prayers. The head of the household may use a hand censer to bless the holy icons and family members. This practice is a continuation of worship, offering prayers to God and creating a sacred space within the home.
The type of incense used in Orthodox Christianity varies. Churches typically use resin incense with different scents, but some prefer floral and powdery incense. Charcoal is often used to burn the incense, and some choose to use mini-sized charcoals from monasteries. Others opt for a smokeless censer with beeswax tea candles, which produces less smoke and is easier to control.
When using charcoal, it is important to use tongs and light both ends, waiting for the sparks to dissipate. Two to three pieces of incense are then applied so as not to smother the charcoal. For those who prefer not to use charcoal, there are other options, such as incense sticks or electric incense burners. However, some view incense sticks as resembling eastern pagan practices and choose not to use them.
The use of incense in Orthodox Christianity has deep symbolic significance and is an integral part of worship, both in the church and the home. It serves as a sensory reminder of faith and a gateway to the divine, creating a lasting impact on the faithful.
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Frequently asked questions
The incense holder in the Orthodox Church is called a "censor" or "censer". It is a device that holds incense, usually in the form of cones or resin, and burns it to release fragrant smoke. The censer is often ornate, with bells attached to create a jingling sound during use.
The use of a censer in Orthodox worship serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it is a symbol of prayer, as the rising smoke represents prayers ascending to God, as mentioned in Psalms 141:2 and other biblical references. Secondly, it marks reverence and purification, sanctifying the environment and creating a sacred atmosphere. Thirdly, it accentuates the importance and solemnity of the service, with the amount of incense varying depending on the liturgical calendar and specific church service.
Orthodox churches typically use resin incense, which is derived from plants. The resin of the Boswellia sacra plant (frankincense) is commonly used as a base, sometimes mixed with floral oils to produce a fragrant scent. Other types of resin used include myrrh and rose. The incense is often dried thoroughly and burned using special charcoal.
Yes, it is acceptable and common to use incense at home during morning and evening prayers. The head of the household may use a hand censer to bless holy icons and other family members. This practice is in line with the belief in the importance of engaging the senses in worship, creating a spiritual experience beyond mere formality.
