“I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12
You are invited to light a virtual candle for yourself or for loved ones during this time when many of our beloved parishioners are unable to light a candle in person at the Cathedral. In turn, a candle will be lit for you at the Cathedral during the following service.
Upon entering an Orthodox church it is customary to light candles and offer prayers for one’s personal needs or that of a family member or friend. Candles are lit before icons as a sign of one’s faith and hope in God’s help that is always sent to all who turn to Him and His Saints with faith and prayers. When lighting a candle in Church the faithful usually make a small offering to the Church. By lighting a candle and offering a prayer, one enters into closer contact with the Church and her ministry to the faithful, invisibly warming the soul by the visible light of the candle. When we light a candle, it helps us remember that Jesus is the light of the world. That is why we refer to it as the Light of God or the Light of Christ. Jesus brought the world out of darkness of sin and into the light by dying on the cross.