Father Matthew Kirby during the lighting of the Paschal Candle on Easter Sunday Morning at St Hilda's Parish of the Anglican Catholic Church in Maitland NSW Australia 2016.
On the Paschal Candle, the cross is always the central symbol. Ours also shows the Greek letters alpha and omega, the beginning and the end (from the Book of Revelation).
Here Father Matthew is seen piercing the actual candle with the five "nails, representing the five wounds of Jesus: the three nails that pierced his hands and feet, the spear thrust into his side, and the thorns that crowned his head.
"Pasch" comes from the Hebrew word "pesah," meaning deliverance or Passover. This candle represents the risen Christ whose light dispelled the darkness (death), and the splendour and glory of His resurrection.
The Paschal candle is the first candle to be lit on Easter Sunday, representing the light of Christ coming into the world. This represents the risen Christ, as a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death).
"The light of Christ, rising in Glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds."
"The light of Christ. Thanks be to God".
Photos and text supplied By Di Mathews (Church warden and blog admin)
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