EASTER PASCHAL CANDLES
Special candles made for Easter are called "labatha" (lah-BAH-thah) and are often given as gifts to children from their parents or God-parents. These candles can be lavishly decorated with favorite children's heroes or storybook characters, and may be as much as three feet tall, but the candle itself is usually white, light blue or pink. These candles are only used for one Easter midnight service.
On Saturday everyone goes to church late in the evening, carrying with them unlit candles. At midnight all lights are extinguished and churches are lit only by the Eternal Flame on the altar. When the clock passes midnight, the priest announces the resurrection of Christ ("Christos anesti" ~ Christ is risen) and passes the flame to the people to light their candles of the Holy Flame taken from Christ's nativity cave in Jerusalem. The flame is then passed from person to person, and it isn't long before the church and courtyard are filled with flickering candlelight. The night air is filled with the singing of the Byzantine Chant "Christos Anesti," and the "fili tis Agapis" (kiss of Agape) and wishes are exchanged. As is the custom, as soon as "Christos Anesti" is called out, church bells ring joyously non-stop, ships in ports all over Greece sound their horns, floodlights are lit on large buildings, and great and small displays of fireworks and noisemakers are set off. After this, everybody goes home for a meal - the fast is over.
It is the custom to carry the Eternal Flame home and use it to make the sign of the cross on the door frame with the soot, to protect the house for the coming year The smoke cross is left there throughout the year, symbolizing that the light of the Resurrection has blessed the home. The candles are used to light icon candelabra, and are put on the table for the midnight meal. The sight of hundreds of candle flames moving from churches to homes on that night is beautiful, indeed.
According to ancient liturgical tradition, the Paschal light is allowed to shine continuously throughout the Great Fifty Days until it is finally extinguished on Ascension Day. After that, it is removed from its place next to the altar and placed near the baptismal font. It is lighted at baptisms to remind Christians that in baptism we are crucified and raised with Jesus (Romans 6:3-5).
Of all the weight and pain in life,
That word is Love."
~ by Socrates
![A Gorgeous Butterfly Easter Candle ~ Labatha A Gorgeous Butterfly Easter Candle ~ Labatha](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/edo-028-385x400.jpg)
See more Derailed Images below. Very unique an..
![Adorable Princess with Beads Easter Candle ~ Lambatha Adorable Princess with Beads Easter Candle ~ Lambatha](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/new-002-385x400.jpg)
The candle itself is decorated with a uniqu..
![Amazing Cross w/Austrian Crystals Easter Candle Amazing Cross w/Austrian Crystals Easter Candle](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/easter-040-385x400.jpg)
Price is for each candle. Modifications ar..
![Boat Gouri Good Luck Easter Candle ~ Labatha Boat Gouri Good Luck Easter Candle ~ Labatha](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/edo-040-385x400.jpg)
This is a lovely Easter candle for any nautical enthousias..
![Celebrate Easter with Simplicity ~ Candle Lambatha Celebrate Easter with Simplicity ~ Candle Lambatha](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/ec 2-385x400.jpg)
Price is for each candle. Modifications are welcomed...
![Colorfull Murano Boat Wind Chime ~ Unisex ~ Easter Candle ~ Colorfull Murano Boat Wind Chime ~ Unisex ~ Easter Candle ~](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/easter-candle-2-385x400.jpg)
A gift card with your message at no charge, can be placed inside the b..
![Cross with Austrian Crystals in Purple and Silver Easter Candle Cross with Austrian Crystals in Purple and Silver Easter Candle](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/1-04-385x400.jpg)
The Candle itself is decorated with purple color netting and a chrome ..
![Cross with Swarovski Crystal Center Easter Candle ~ Labatha Cross with Swarovski Crystal Center Easter Candle ~ Labatha](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/edo-019-385x400.jpg)
This is a very simple but elegant Easter candle. It ..
![Dazzling Elephant Pendant Inside Velour Keepsake Box Easter Candle ~ Lambatha Dazzling Elephant Pendant Inside Velour Keepsake Box Easter Candle ~ Lambatha](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/14-02-385x400.jpg)
The candle itself is decorated with lovel..
![Easter Candle for Simple Tastes ~ Lambatha Easter Candle for Simple Tastes ~ Lambatha](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/18-01-385x400.jpg)
Available decoration in: Red, Ivory w/Gold, Light Pink w/Gold, Li..
![Fabulous Handmade Glass Evil Eye with Silver Icon and Beads Easter Candle Fabulous Handmade Glass Evil Eye with Silver Icon and Beads Easter Candle](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/2011-04-08-001-2011-04-08-030-385x400.jpg)
See more Detailed Images and Colors below. ..
![Fanari Anastasis - Easter Candle Holder Fanari Anastasis - Easter Candle Holder](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/2012-04-01-001-2012-03-31-005-385x400.jpg)
See more Detailed Images below. The New Testament teaches th..
![Frozen #1 Easter Candle ~ Lambatha ~ Frozen #1 Easter Candle ~ Lambatha ~](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/ec 3-385x400.jpg)
A greeting card with your personal message, at no cost to you, can be ..
![Frozen #2 Easter Candle ~ Lambatha ~ Frozen #2 Easter Candle ~ Lambatha ~](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/ec 4-385x400.jpg)
A greeting card with your personal message can be placed inside the bo..
![Gift Bunny Pendant Inside Velour Keepsake Box Gift Bunny Pendant Inside Velour Keepsake Box](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/2012-02-29-001-2012-02-29-090-385x400.jpg)
Bright and Sparkling Necklace inside the most adorab..
![Gold Plated Keychain with Purple Austrian Crystal ~ Easter Candle ~ Gold Plated Keychain with Purple Austrian Crystal ~ Easter Candle ~](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/bomboniera-12-385x400.jpg)
A greeting card with your personal message could be placed inside the ..
![Green Butterfly Easter Candle ~ Lambatha Green Butterfly Easter Candle ~ Lambatha](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/edo-042-385x400.jpg)
This is an Easter candle decorated with a large Butterfl..
![Lovely Angel with Austrian Crystals Girls Easter Candle Lambatha Lovely Angel with Austrian Crystals Girls Easter Candle Lambatha](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/3-385x400.jpg)
Price is for each candle. Modifications are welcomed..
![Lovely Bunny Girls Easter Candle Lambatha Lovely Bunny Girls Easter Candle Lambatha](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/ec 1-385x400.jpg)
Listed price is per one candle~ A gift card with your message..
![Lovely Hanging Icon with Blue Eye Easter Candle ~ Labatha Lovely Hanging Icon with Blue Eye Easter Candle ~ Labatha](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/ec 6-385x400.jpg)
This is a lovely Easter candle! The whole candle is..
![Sparkling Mirror Heart with Crystals Easter Candle Sparkling Mirror Heart with Crystals Easter Candle](https://www.portara.com/image/cache/catalog/product/easter-candle-1-385x400.jpg)
A gift card with your message, at no charge can be placed inside the b..