Anisha Riggs
Burning incense is a common practice in Greek Orthodox churches and households. Incense is a scented material derived from plants, typically in the form of a resin or gum that is burned to produce a fragrant smoke. In the Greek Orthodox tradition, incense is burned during church services and daily prayers as a symbolic act with religious significance. The practice is believed to have predated Christianity and is referenced in the Old Testament, where it symbolises prayer and offering to God. The aroma of incense is believed to enhance the spiritual experience, engaging the senses and creating a sacred atmosphere.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense type | Frankincense, Myrrh, Rose, Gardenia, Jasmine, Lavender |
| Incense base | Boswellia tree resin, hardened sap of certain trees |
| Incense preparation | Ground organic material (herbs, flowers, resins) mixed with binding agent, moistened with rosewater or distilled water, rolled into cones or packed against incense stick, dried thoroughly |
| Incense burner | Censers, thurible, censor, incense burner, livanistiri, firepot |
| Incense burner material | Metal, gold, bronze, silver |
| Incense burner design | Covered dish suspended on 3 or 4 chains, with 12 small bells |
| Incense burner fuel | Charcoal |
| Incense symbolism | Prayer, spiritual fragrance, reverence, purification, peace, gratitude |
| Incense in the Bible | Psalms 140:2, 141:2, Revelation 8:3-5, Luke 1:10 |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to symbolise prayer
Incense is used in Greek Orthodox churches and homes as a symbol of prayer. The smoke rising towards the heavens is thought to symbolise prayers elevating to God. This idea is referenced in the Bible, including in Psalm 140, Verse 2: "Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."
The use of incense in Orthodox Christian practice is steeped in symbolism and ritual. Incense is burned in a censer, a metal vessel that hangs on chains and has a sliding cover to regulate the burning of charcoal. The censer is often ornate, featuring religious symbolism such as images of the four Evangelists or other sacred iconography. The chains may have twelve small bells, representing the Disciples. The act of lighting the incense marks the transition from the temporal to the divine, creating a sacred space.
In church services, the priest "censes" certain areas during the liturgy. The incense is placed inside the censer, and charcoal is lit underneath to produce smoke. This action symbolises the lifting of prayers to God and serves as a blessing. The priest may cense the Holy Altar, icons, and even towards the congregation, reminding worshippers of God's presence.
In the home, Orthodox Christians may burn incense during daily or weekly prayers, often in front of icons. This practice is known as "thymiatizo" in Greek and is considered a form of prayer and gratitude. The smoke of the incense is believed to symbolise prayers rising to God, creating a spiritual atmosphere.
The use of incense in Orthodox Christianity has deep roots in biblical tradition and is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. It is also believed to have ancient origins, dating back to Sumerian and Babylonian cultures, where aromatic resins were used in religious ceremonies.
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It creates a sensory experience to enhance spiritual connection
The burning of incense is a distinctive feature of the Greek Orthodox Church. It is a ritual that creates a sensory experience to enhance spiritual connection. The aroma of incense is believed to elevate the spiritual experience, drawing the faithful into a deeper connection with the divine. The use of incense is not just a tradition but a symbolic act that speaks a silent language of the sacred.
Incense is a scented material derived from plants. It is prepared by grinding organic materials, such as herbs, flowers, or resins, into a fine powder. This powder is then mixed with a binding agent and moistened with rosewater or distilled water. The incense mixture is then rolled into cones or packed against incense sticks and dried before use. In the Greek Orthodox Church, incense cones are typically burned using charcoal in a metal vessel called a censer or thurible. The censer is often ornate, suspended by chains, and adorned with bells.
The ritual of burning incense is deeply symbolic and holds significant religious significance. It is believed to symbolise prayer, with the rising smoke representing prayers ascending to God. This symbolism is referenced in the Bible, specifically in Psalm 140:2, which states, "Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." The act of burning incense is also associated with honouring and venerating holy objects, icons, clergy, and the congregation.
The use of incense in the Greek Orthodox Church is not merely about creating a pleasant aroma but carries a profound meaning that enhances the spiritual experience. The sensory impact of incense creates a sacred atmosphere, setting the space apart from the outside world. It serves as a meditation focus, drawing individuals into a contemplative state and facilitating a deeper connection with the divine.
The practice of burning incense in the Greek Orthodox Church is an ancient tradition that continues to play a crucial role in religious rites. It is a ritual that engages the senses, creating a sensory experience that enhances spiritual connection and draws individuals closer to the divine.
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Incense is used to venerate holy objects
Incense is an important part of the Orthodox Christian service, used to venerate holy objects and people. The practice of burning incense is an ancient tradition, with biblical references, particularly in Psalms 141:2, where it states, "Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee". The burning of incense during worship is a tangible representation of petitions to the Lord and a symbol of prayer. The smoke rising towards the heavens visually embodies prayers elevating to God.
The incense is burned in a metal vessel called a censer or thurible, which is suspended by chains and has a sliding cover to regulate the burning of charcoal. The censer is used to convey the fragrant smoke of the incense to holy objects and people, such as icons, clergy, and the congregation. The censer is only employed by the priest and/or deacon and is considered a mark of honour and respect, acknowledging the presence of the Holy.
The act of burning incense is also a sensory reminder of faith, engaging more of the worshipper's senses and creating a multisensory experience that draws them into deeper contemplation and union with God. The fragrance of incense is believed to transform the worship space, marking the transition from the mundane to the extraordinary, and creating a physical manifestation of the church as a slice of heaven on earth.
The specific type of incense used can vary, but it is typically made from the hardened sap of certain trees, such as the Boswellia tree, and mixed with other fragrant materials such as herbs, flowers, or resins. The process of creating incense involves grinding the organic material into a fine powder, mixing it with a binding agent, moistening it, and then rolling it into cones or packing it onto sticks. The incense is then dried thoroughly before being burned with special charcoal in a censer.
In addition to its use in church services, incense is also burned in Greek homes during morning and evening prayers. The head of the household may use a hand censer to bless the Holy Icons and all the members of the household. Burning incense is seen as a form of prayer and gratitude, bringing sweet scents into the living space and creating a positive and sacred atmosphere.
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The practice is steeped in biblical references
The burning of incense is a common practice in Greek Orthodox churches. It is steeped in biblical references and is an important part of the Orthodox Christian service. The use of incense dates back to ancient times, even before Christianity, and was referenced in the Old Testament. For instance, Psalm 140, Verse 2 says, "Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." This verse likens prayer to incense, and during the liturgy, this symbolism becomes manifest.
Incense is burned in a censer, a metal vessel that hangs on chains and has a sliding cover to regulate the burning of charcoal. The whole apparatus is called a censer or thurible. The censer is used only by the priest and/or deacon to venerate the altar, the Holy Gifts, the clergy, the congregation, icons, and the church structure itself. The charcoal used to burn the incense represents man, who requires the fire of the Holy Spirit to give him light and life.
The incense itself is made from scented materials derived from plants, such as herbs, flowers, or resins. It is ground into a fine powder and mixed with a binding agent and a floral oil to create a specific scent. This process symbolizes the care and intention placed into every aspect of Orthodox worship. The quality of the incense is important, and it is often obtained from monasteries where the monks or nuns make their own.
The act of burning incense is a symbolic practice that elevates the spiritual experience. It creates a meditation focus, serving as a tangible representation of our petitions to the Lord. The aroma of incense can help draw the faithful into a deeper spiritual experience, engaging their senses and reminding them that God is listening to their prayers. The smoke of the incense rising towards the heavens visually embodies the prayers elevating to God.
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Incense is made from a variety of fragrant materials
Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burned. It is made from a variety of fragrant materials, with bases that determine its burning properties. The base is the "engine" of the incense, providing the heat to burn it completely. Wood powder is the most common base material, with most types of wood powder being suitable. However, some types of wood, such as oak, are difficult to work with and require experience. Sandalwood is a traditional base, while cedar, pine, apple, fir, and other fragrant woods can also be used. When using a fragrant base, one must consider its aromatic properties in addition to its ability to burn. Woods like alder and red sandalwood, for example, provide heat but have little scent when burning.
Other plant materials can also be used as bases, such as lavender, which holds more essential oil in its stems than in its flowers. Lavender flowers, stems, and a small amount of gum binder can be combined to create a strong-scented incense. Other ingredients, such as clove, can increase the heat of the incense to make it burn faster, while ingredients like white ash can slow the burn. Tree foliage, such as completely dried and powdered pine needles, can improve burning characteristics, but overuse can negatively impact the scent and create smoke that irritates the eyes and throat. Cinnamon and cassia are examples of wood bark that can have the same negative impact when overused.
Incense can be separated into two main types: "indirect-burning" and "direct-burning." Indirect-burning incense, or "non-combustible incense," requires a separate heat source, such as charcoal, and does not burn on its own. Direct-burning incense, or "combustible incense," is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out, leaving a glowing ember that smoulders and releases fragrance. Direct-burning incense can be extruded, pressed into forms, or coated onto a supporting material, such as bamboo in the case of cored sticks. Higher-quality variations have fragrant sandalwood cores. This type of incense is commonly produced in India and China.
The combustible base of a direct-burning incense mixture binds the fragrant material together and allows the incense to burn. Fragrant materials are added to the base before or after shaping, depending on whether they are in powdered form or essential oils. Natural plant-based binders, such as gum arabic or gum tragacanth, are used to bind the mixture together. Mucilaginous material, derived from botanical sources, is mixed with fragrant materials and water, with the mucilage from the wet binding powder holding the fragrant material together. The dry binding powder typically comprises about 10% of the dry weight in the finished incense.
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Frequently asked questions
The burning of incense is a symbolic act that represents prayer ascending to God. It is also used to venerate holy objects, people, and icons.
Incense is a scented material derived from plants. It is made by grinding organic material, such as herbs, flowers, or resins, into a fine powder. This powder is then mixed with a binding agent and moistened with rosewater or distilled water. Finally, the mixture is rolled into cones or packed against an incense stick and dried.
The incense is burned in a censer or thurible—a metal vessel suspended by chains. Charcoal is used to provide the heat needed to burn the incense.
