The new monastery in America was officially opened, which is good news. As St. Jacob saw them in a vision climbing and descending the ladder at Bethel, the lights in the Orthodox Church also serve as a representation of the angels in heaven. Creation 28:12 When the Church lights are on, Orthodox Christians can feel the presence of the heavenly angels, who are known as “angels of light.” Revelations 18:1, Psalm 104:4, and 2 Corinthians 11:14
The candles and lights in the church also represent the martyrs and saints to whom the merciful Lord has said, “You are the light of the world.” Let them see your light by saying, “Let your light so shine before men.” (Daniel 12:3; Matthew 5:15) They were also known as illuminated lamps that were placed on lampstands. (15) Matthew
As a result, the tradition of burning candles in front of saint and martyr images serves to remind us that they were also lights in both their words and lives. In order to beam forth to the world, they were consumed as candles are by the fire of God’s love. In the Kingdom of their Father, the righteous shall “shine forth as the sun.” (Matthew 13:43) and “He [St. John the Baptist] was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light” (John 5:35) are verses that mention similar statements. As we’ve seen, the Orthodox Church is still brimming with light because it’s also teeming with saints and angels.
The act of lighting lamps also has a profound spiritual significance in that it represents a state of constant preparedness and unceasing watchfulness. The parable of the five wise virgins, whose lamps were glowing while the lamps of the five foolish virgins went out, is one that the Lord Jesus Christ uses to make this point. Matthew 25:1–12.
In addition, the Lord further instructs, “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning, and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.” The servants the master finds keeping watch when he arrives are blessed. (Luke. 12:35) Because of this, whenever we see lights in the church, we are reminded of their obligation.
