​"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)

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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. In practice, 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.