Anisha Riggs
Incense is used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, at funerals, and at other solemn occasions. The use of incense in the Church of England is indicative of how high or low the church's liturgy is. Anglo-Catholic churches, for example, tend to use generous amounts of incense. Incense is believed to symbolise the purification and sanctification of the altar and sanctuary area, as well as the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of use in the Church of England | Incense was abandoned in the Church of England in the 19th century and was thought to be illegal. |
| Today, its use in Anglican churches is a guide to churchmanship, with Anglo-Catholic churches using generous quantities and some middle-of-the-road Anglican churches using it occasionally for special occasions. | |
| Use in Christian worship | Incense is used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, at funerals, and at the consecration of a church or altar, among other services. |
| In the Roman Missal, 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, at the offertory, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood after the consecration. | |
| Symbolic meaning | The use of incense is symbolic of "cleansing and purification", and its fragrance suggests "Christ's robe of righteousness" that covers the sins of humankind. |
| Incense also symbolizes the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven, creating the ambiance of heaven. |
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What You'll Learn
- Incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven
- Incense is used during processions, at the beginning of Mass, and at the Gospel procession
- Incense is used to incense the altar, cross, offerings, priest and people
- Incense is used at the consecration of a church or altar
- Incense is used at funerals to honour the deceased
Incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, with its earliest recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. In the Church of England, incense is used in Anglo-Catholic churches and some Anglican churches. The use of incense in these churches is a fairly reliable guide to churchmanship, indicating how 'high' (more Catholic in liturgical style) or 'low' (more Reformed) the church is.
Incense is used during Mass to create an atmosphere of solemnity and mystery, and to unite the worshippers with the angels and saints in heaven. The smoke of the incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to God, while the sensory experience of the incense enhances the worshippers' prayers.
During funeral Masses, the priest may incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the body of the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for the deceased rising to God. The use of incense during funerals adds a sense of solemnity and respect to the occasion.
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Incense is used during processions, at the beginning of Mass, and at the Gospel procession
The use of incense in the Church of England is a result of shifts in doctrine and the influence of the early Church. Incense is used during processions, at the beginning of Mass, and at the Gospel procession for several reasons, including its symbolic meaning, aesthetic value, and ability to enhance the ambiance of the ceremony.
Incense is burned during processions and at the beginning of Mass to symbolise purification and sanctification. The smoke represents the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, as described in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice." The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, connecting the worshippers to the angels and saints in heaven.
In the Church of England, the use of incense can vary depending on the churchmanship of the individual church. Anglo-Catholic churches tend to use generous quantities of incense, while some middle-of-the-road Anglican churches may use it sparingly for special occasions. The number of points within the liturgy where incense is used can also differ.
The practice of burning incense has its roots in the traditions of Judaism and was adapted by Christians for their rituals. Its use during processions and at the beginning of Mass may also be influenced by the early Church, where incense was mentioned in the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, which date back to the fifth century. Additionally, a Roman Ritual from the seventh century describes the use of incense during the procession of a bishop to the altar.
The use of incense in the Church of England has faced opposition from figures such as Bishop J. C. Ryle, who believed that it detracted from the true worship of God, which should spring from a restored relationship with God and gratitude for divine grace.
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Incense is used to incense the altar, cross, offerings, priest and people
Incense is used in Christian worship, including in the Church of England, to incense the altar, cross, offerings, priest, and people. The practice is rooted in the traditions of Judaism dating back to the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The use of incense in the Church of England has been a topic of debate, with some viewing it as a by-product of shifts in doctrine, while others embrace its aesthetic value and mystical qualities.
Incense is burned during worship services, contained in a metal incense burner called a thurible. The person carrying the thurible is known as the thurifer. Incense is used to incense the altar, symbolising the Church's offering and prayer rising like incense before God. The altar represents Christ and his five wounds, and incensing it creates a connection to the angels and saints in heaven.
The use of incense to cense the cross is significant, signifying the Church's offering and prayer. Additionally, incense is used to bless and purify the offerings, such as the bread and wine, as well as the spiritual gifts presented by the congregation. Incense is also used to anoint and bless the priest and the people, symbolising their purification and sanctification.
In the Church of England, the use of incense varies across different churches. Anglo-Catholic churches tend to use generous amounts of incense, while some middle-of-the-road Anglican churches incorporate incense for special occasions. The number of points within the liturgy at which incense is used can differ among Anglican churches.
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Incense is used at the consecration of a church or altar
The burning of incense during religious ceremonies has its origins in antiquity. The practice was used by the ancient Indians of the Indus Valley Civilisation, the Egyptians of the Fifth Dynasty, and the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Jews of the ancient world. The use of incense in Christian worship is symbolic of "cleansing and purification", and its fragrance is said to represent "Christ's robe of righteousness" that covers the sins of humankind.
During the consecration of a church or altar, incense is burned atop the altar as it undergoes the process of consecration prior to its first use. The smoke of the incense symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, as described in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice." The use of incense during the consecration of a church or altar adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the ceremony.
The practice of burning incense during the consecration of a church or altar is not limited to the Church of England. It is also observed in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic churches, and the Catholic Church.
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Incense is used at funerals to honour the deceased
The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) were the first in the non-Asian world to discover its use, and it was used by Hindus for centuries by this time. The use of incense in religious ritual was further developed in China and transmitted to other East Asian countries, where it holds an invaluable role in Buddhist ceremonies and rites, as well as in Taoist and Shinto shrines.
The use of incense in Christian worship can be traced back to its roots in Judaism and the rituals of the Second Jewish Temple. In the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, which originate in the fifth century, the use of incense is mentioned. A Roman Ritual of the seventh century also marks its usage in the procession of a bishop to the altar and on Good Friday.
In the Church of England, the use of incense is indicative of how 'high' or 'low' the individual church is, with Anglo-Catholic churches using generous quantities of incense and some Anglican churches using it occasionally for special occasions. During funeral masses, the priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour to the body of the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for the deceased rising to God.
The smoke of incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven, creating the ambiance of heaven as described in the Book of Revelation. Incense is also used to symbolise purification and sanctification, with the fragrance suggesting "Christ's robe of righteousness" that covers the sins of humankind.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is used in the Church of England for its symbolic value, to create a sense of solemnity and mystery, and to aid in prayer. The smoke from burning incense is thought to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven.
Incense is symbolic of "cleansing and purification", and its fragrance is thought to represent "Christ's robe of righteousness" that covers the sins of humankind.
Incense is burned during worship services in a thurible, a type of censer. A server called a thurifer carries the thurible, which is a metal incense burner suspended from chains.
Incense is used at the celebration of the Eucharist, Solemn Vespers, Solemn Evensong, funerals, and during the consecration of a church or altar.
