Saint Paisios: Why do we light a candle and burn incense, and what do we say?

“Elder, when we light a little candle, do we say what it is for?”

– You light it; where do you send it? You don’t send it somewhere, do you? With the little candle, we ask something from God. When you light it and say, “For those who suffer physically and spiritually, and for those who are in the greatest need,” among them are both the living and the departed. Do you know how much rest and relief the departed feel when we light a little candle for them? In this way, one has spiritual communion with both the living and the departed. In a few words, the little candle is like an antenna that brings us into contact with God, with the sick, with the departed, and so on.

“Elder, why do we burn incense?”

– We light it as an offering of praise and glory to God. We glorify Him and give Him thanks for His great blessings upon the whole world. Incense is also an offering. And after we offer it to God and to the Saints by censing the holy icons, we then cense the living icons of God—the people.

Put your heart into it, whether it is a request or an expression of thanksgiving.

With the little candle, I say:

“My God, I ask You with all my heart to grant me a favor.”

And with the incense, I say:

“Thank You, my God, with all my heart, for all Your gifts. I thank You for forgiving my many sins, as well as the ingratitude of the whole world and my own great ingratitude.”

Excerpt from the book by Elder Paisios of Mount Athos [now Saint Paisios], “Spiritual Awakening,” Sayings II, published by the Holy Hesychasterion of “St. John the Theologian,” Souroti, Thessaloniki.