Heidi Norton
Incense has been used in religious rites for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Assyrian, Babylonian, Egyptian, and Jewish cultures. In the Christian tradition, priests use incense to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, as well as to purify the space and prepare it for worship. The sweet, mysterious aroma creates an atmosphere of tranquillity and sacredness, enhancing the worship experience and promoting a sense of connection with the divine. The practice of burning incense in churches often involves the use of a thurible, a metal censer in which the incense is burned, filling the air with fragrant smoke.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To keep demons away |
| To symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven | |
| To create an atmosphere of tranquillity, serenity, and sacredness | |
| To symbolise the purification and sanctification of the worship space | |
| To honour the body of the deceased | |
| To symbolise the connection with the divine | |
| To symbolise the transcendence of the Mass, linking Heaven with Earth | |
| To symbolise the Church's offering and prayer rising like incense in the sight of God | |
| To symbolise the purification of the hands of those preparing to receive Holy Communion | |
| To symbolise the purification of liturgical vessels | |
| To create a unique fragrance that acts as a fingerprint of a particular church or monastery | |
| Type of incense | Athonite-style incense |
| Frankincense | |
| A blend of fragrant resins and essential oils | |
| A blend of oils |
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What You'll Learn
To symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven
Incense has been used in religious rites for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilisations such as the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians. In the Christian tradition, its use is mentioned in the fifth-century texts of James and Mark. The burning of incense in churches creates an atmosphere of tranquillity, serenity, and sacredness, enhancing the worship experience and promoting a sense of connection with the divine.
The smoke from the incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is supported by Psalm 141, which reads, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice". Similarly, the Book of Revelation describes heavenly worship, stating that an angel brought "large amounts of incense to deposit on the altar of gold in front of the throne, together with the prayers of all God's holy ones".
In Orthodox worship, the sense of smell is engaged through the use of incense, creating a unique spiritual atmosphere. The Orthodox Church, including the Greek Orthodox Church, typically uses a blend called "Athonite-style" incense, which often includes frankincense as the base, combined with other resins and essential oils. Each church or monastery may have its own unique blend, adding a personal touch to their spiritual atmosphere.
In the Catholic Church, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) guides the use of incense during various parts of the Mass. Incense may be used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, at the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, and at the offertory to incense the offerings, altar, priest, and people. During funeral Masses, the priest may also incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to God.
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To create a sense of serenity and sacredness
The use of incense in religious ceremonies is a tradition that dates back thousands of years. In the ancient world, incense was commonly used in religious rites to keep demons away. The sweet, rich fragrance of incense helps create an atmosphere of tranquillity, serenity, and sacredness. It enhances the worship experience, promoting a sense of connection with the divine.
The smoke from the burning incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. In many traditions, it is also seen as a way of purifying the space and preparing it for worship. The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell remind us of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven with earth, and allow us to enter into the presence of God.
The specific scent of incense used in churches can vary, but it is typically a blend of natural ingredients, including fragrant resins and essential oils. Each ingredient adds a different note, crafting a symphony of scents that uplift the senses. For example, the Orthodox Church, including Greek Orthodox, usually uses a special blend called "Athonite-style" incense, which includes frankincense as the base. Each church or monastery might have its own unique blend, adding a personal touch to their spiritual atmosphere.
The use of incense in Christian traditions is also symbolic. In the Catholic Church, for instance, the priest may incense the altar, the offerings, the priest himself, and the people as a way of signifying the Church's offering and prayer rising like incense in the sight of God. The practice of incensing is also mentioned in the Bible, with the Psalmist praying, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141).
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To purify the space and prepare it for worship
Incense has been used in religious rites for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilisations such as the Assyrians, Babylonians and Egyptians. In the early days, incense was used to keep demons away.
In the present day, priests use incense to purify the space and prepare it for worship. The smoke from the incense is believed to physically represent the prayers of the church as they rise towards heaven. The sweet scent of incense creates an atmosphere of tranquillity, serenity, and sacredness, enhancing the worship experience and promoting a sense of connection with the divine.
In the Catholic Church, the priest may use incense during the entrance procession at the beginning of Mass, to incense the altar, at the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, at the offertory, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood after the consecration. The priest may also incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle.
In Orthodox Christian churches, frankincense is often used as the base, combined with other resins and essential oils to create a rich, complex fragrance that is both earthy and ethereal. Each church or monastery may have its own unique blend, adding a personal touch to their spiritual atmosphere.
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To ward off demons
Burning incense has been a significant rite since ancient times, dating back to 3300 BC in India and Southern Asia. It is believed that burning incense sticks, when used alongside worship and prayer, can ward off evil spirits and purify the area. This practice is especially prominent in Hinduism, where incense is offered to God during daily rituals.
In Christianity, the use of incense is inspired by biblical passages and holds symbolic value in prayer and worship. The smoke from burning incense is seen as a representation of the faithful's prayers rising to heaven. The Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, and Lutheran Churches are among the denominations that use incense in their rituals.
Incense also plays a crucial role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto rites. The inner spaces of temples are filled with the scent of thick coiled incense, creating a purifying atmosphere. Worshippers light and burn incense sticks, waving or raising them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors.
Additionally, in Mandaeism, priests offer incense on stands called "kinta" to establish communion between humans and celestial beings during rituals such as baptism and death masses.
The act of burning incense is not limited to traditional religious practices. It is also used in spiritual and religious practices of various Native American cultures, including smoke cleansing, which is believed to ward off negative energy and evil spirits.
While the specific reasons behind priests using incense may vary within different religious contexts, one common belief is that it helps to ward off demons and purify the surroundings, creating a sacred and spiritually protected space.
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To symbolise the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth
The use of incense during Mass has a long history, dating back to ancient religious rites. It is believed that the smoke from burning incense symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven, creating a link between heaven and earth. This belief is supported by biblical passages such as Psalm 141, which says, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice."
In the Catholic Church, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) guides the use of incense during the Mass. Incense may be used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, during the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, at the offertory to incense the offerings, altar, priest, and people, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood after the consecration. The priest may also incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle, especially during funeral Masses as a sign of honour to the deceased.
The act of incensing is not limited to objects but also includes people. The priest, due to his sacred ministry, and the congregation, by reason of their baptismal dignity, may be incensed as well. This act of incensing is a symbolic purification and sanctification, invoking the mercy of God. In the Eastern Rites, for example, the altar and sanctuary area are incensed while Psalm 50, the "Miserere", is chanted.
The visual and olfactory experience of incense during Mass creates an atmosphere that enhances the worship experience. The sweet scent of incense, with its unique blend of natural ingredients, promotes a sense of tranquillity, serenity, and sacredness. It adds solemnity and mystery to the Mass, allowing those present to enter into the presence of God.
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Frequently asked questions
The use of incense during religious services is believed to have a psychological and spiritual impact on the worship experience. It creates an atmosphere of tranquility and sacredness, promoting a sense of connection with the divine.
The smoke from burning incense is believed to symbolize the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
Incense is typically made from a blend of natural ingredients, including fragrant resins and essential oils, each contributing to its unique aroma.
Orthodox churches, including Greek Orthodox, typically use a special blend called "Athonite-style" incense. This often includes frankincense as the base, along with other resins and essential oils, resulting in a rich and complex fragrance.
