What is a Paschal candle?
Paschal season is another name for Eastertide, the 50-day period between Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday. The blessing of the Paschal, or Easter candle, is an ancient tradition that is observed in Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian and other Protestant churches.
The term “Paschal” comes from the word Pesach, which in Hebrew means Passover. The tall, white candle in many ways signifies the divine pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that lead the Israelites in their Exodus from slavery in Egypt.
The tall, white Paschal candle is dedicated to the liturgical art of Paschal candle carving. It is affixed with a cross, the symbol of Christ; the Greek letters “alpha” and “omega,” which signify the beginning and end of all things; and the current year, indicating God’s presence in the here and now.
The Paschal candle symbolizes Christ as light of the world and the presence of Christ in the midst of His people.
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