Use of incense

[wynd]

Hello all,

A friend from church gave me some incense, charcoal and a thing to burn it in (don't know the word). The problem is, I don't know exactly what to do with it. I know how to light it and stuff, but what I mean is, do I just burn it when I'm praying, or can I do it when I am doing some spiritual reading? :confused:

[xenia]

Hi Wynd, nice to meet you. :)

I usually light up some incense when I say my prayers because it puts me in a prayerful mood and makes my room smell like church. I don't know about having incense going for spiritual reading.

[Thekla]

Hi, Wynd :wave:

we use it as Xenia does. Also, it can be used to cense the house and icons (though make sure your censor handle doesn't get hot).

(we have a child named Wyndham :) )
best,
Thekla

[Sacrum Silentium]

As the Psalm says, Wynd, "Let my prayer arise in your sight as incense, and let the lifting of my hands be an evening sacrifice." :)

The incense is symbolic of our prayers ascending to God, and also help to set our minds in a prayerful mood.

[Dorothea]

I've had incense and the little thing to put them in, but I've never used it!! :blush: I don't even know how to light it, but lately, I've been wondering how and wanting to light it.

[Sacrum Silentium]

It's probably fast-light charcoal you have. Most parishes and distributors use it. If so, just take a lighter or a candle flame or something and hold a corner of the charcoal on it, you should be able to see it spark up and spread throughout the whole piece of coal. Set it down before it gets hot and set the incense on top. That's all there is to it.

[Dorothea]

It's probably fast-light charcoal you have. Most parishes and distributors use it. If so, just take a lighter or a candle flame or something and hold a corner of the charcoal on it, you should be able to see it spark up and spread throughout the whole piece of coal. Set it down before it gets hot and set the incense on top. That's all there is to it.

Ok, I'm confused. Those little pellets that come in those small plastic, transparent boxes...aren't they the incense, or are they the charcoal? And if they're the charcoal, what does the incense look like? :blush:

[hiImEric]

I use the sticks of incense with the holders...

This is what I use...

http://www.amazon.com/Morning-Star-Lavender-50-Sticks/dp/B000CS0V90/ref=pd_bbs_9?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1194832864&sr=8-9

Does it matter though?

[Thekla]

Ok, I'm confused. Those little pellets that come in those small plastic, transparent boxes...aren't they the incense, or are they the charcoal? And if they're the charcoal, what does the incense look like? :blush:
if they smell good (and often have a white powder on them), they're incense. The charcoal looks like ... charcoal, but is usually a round indented disc (that spits back a bit when lit).

Didn't look like the incense I'd always seen, either ^_^

[Dorothea]

if they smell good (and often have a white powder on them), they're incense. The charcoal looks like ... charcoal, but is usually a round indented disc (that spits back a bit when lit).

Didn't look like the incense I'd always seen, either ^_^
hee hee. Ok, I thought the pellets were the incense. LOL Good to know that's what they probably are, but I'll do the smell taste to make sure. :P Maybe I've got one box that's charcoal and one that's incense. Wouldn't I be lucky? It's been nearly 10 years since I got it from someone.... :eek: I wonder if they're still any good? ^_^

[nutroll]

hee hee. Ok, I thought the pellets were the incense. LOL Good to know that's what they probably are, but I'll do the smell taste to make sure. :P Maybe I've got one box that's charcoal and one that's incense. Wouldn't I be lucky? It's been nearly 10 years since I got it from someone.... :eek: I wonder if they're still any good? ^_^
10 year old incense should be fine. 10 year old charcoal might be difficult to light, but if it lights, it should burn fine.

[wynd]

Where do you guys get your incense from? The stuff I got is from Skete of the Entrance of the Theotokos in Ohio.

[nutroll]

My dad had a massive quantity of frankincense that he gave to me. It's taken a few years, but I'll probably be out of it by this time next year...

[Thekla]

hee hee. Ok, I thought the pellets were the incense. LOL Good to know that's what they probably are, but I'll do the smell taste to make sure. :P Maybe I've got one box that's charcoal and one that's incense. Wouldn't I be lucky? It's been nearly 10 years since I got it from someone.... :eek: I wonder if they're still any good? ^_^
there's only one way to find out :thumbsup:

The charcoal may be a bit stubborn by now, do you have any middle-eastern or greek markets near you ? They usually carry charcoal.
Once I accidentally bought "hookah" charcoal -- didn't really work. We used it some for drawing though - not too successful on paper, but on the sidewalk it did pretty well ....

[Dorothea]

there's only one way to find out :thumbsup:

The charcoal may be a bit stubborn by now, do you have any middle-eastern or greek markets near you ? They usually carry charcoal.
Once I accidentally bought "hookah" charcoal -- didn't really work. We used it some for drawing though - not too successful on paper, but on the sidewalk it did pretty well ....

I'll check with my priest or someone at church and ask about the charcoal. They have some stuff in their food pantry that is food that they must've gotten from Greece or somewhere near by. I'll find out on Wednesday when I go to my adult Orthodox class. Thanks!

Thanks, nutroll. :)

[SeraphimSarov]

Hi, Wynd :wave:

we use it as Xenia does. Also, it can be used to cense the house and icons (though make sure your censor handle doesn't get hot).

(we have a child named Wyndham :) )
best,
Thekla
How do you normally cense your icons? I usually make the sign of the Cross over them with the censer, but I've never asked how anybody else does it in their home...

[Thekla]

How do you normally cense your icons? I usually make the sign of the Cross over them with the censer, but I've never asked how anybody else does it in their home...
thats exactly what we do, going from room to room. We also cense the "other icons" in each room - people :)

[Chocolatesa]

there's only one way to find out :thumbsup:

The charcoal may be a bit stubborn by now, do you have any middle-eastern or greek markets near you ? They usually carry charcoal.
Once I accidentally bought "hookah" charcoal -- didn't really work. We used it some for drawing though - not too successful on paper, but on the sidewalk it did pretty well ....
What's the difference between hookah charcoal and incense charcoal? I've seen both used and they seem to light the same way... unless my friend was using incense charcoal for his hookah...

[RobNJ]

What's the difference between hookah charcoal and incense charcoal? I've seen both used and they seem to light the same way... unless my friend was using incense charcoal for his hookah...

If it was for a hookah, it might not have been self-lighting. If it's not self-lighting, you'd probably have to hold it over a candle for a bit & blow on it, to get it going.

[Chocolatesa]

Ah ok! Thanks. Well then my friend was using the self-lighting stuff.

[SeraphimSarov]

Ah ok! Thanks. Well then my friend was using the self-lighting stuff.
You can tell if it's self-lighting... it usually lets out a lot of smoke and hisses and pops when it begins lighting. It's so cool to watch. :)

[Chocolatesa]

You can tell if it's self-lighting... it usually lets out a lot of smoke and hisses and pops when it begins lighting. It's so cool to watch. :)
I know, I've used it before for incense, I just didn't know what hookah charcoal was.

[hiImEric]

I hate to repost, but I haven't really gotten a reply, and I'm quite curious.

I use the sticks of incense, and I didn't know until now apparently that there was another form. Does it matter that I use the sticks?

[Sacrum Silentium]

Not really man, but I'll tell you why we use the incense we use. One, it's handmade by the monks, so it's more of a sacrifice to use that kind of incense become time and effort was put into making it. Two, it supports the monastery if you buy it from them.

[Thekla]

I know, I've used it before for incense, I just didn't know what hookah charcoal was.
sorry ...

it doesn't light easily, and still looks like the chunks of wood it was made from (which is kinda neat)

[SeraphimSarov]

I use the sticks of incense, and I didn't know until now apparently that there was another form. Does it matter that I use the sticks?

Nah. A buddy of mine uses stick incense because he lives in an apartment and it's slightly safer (arguably) than using charcoal. Somehow I don't think God minds which type of incense you use. :)

[wynd]

Nah. A buddy of mine uses stick incense because he lives in an apartment and it's slightly safer (arguably) than using charcoal. Somehow I don't think God minds which type of incense you use. :)

But the charcoal kind smells better. :thumbsup:

[All4Christ]

Is this a requirement for your icon corner / prayers? In my home - it would not go over well with my family at all....would cause even more divisions...

[Theophorus]

Be careful with the self lighting charcoal. Every now and then it has a tendency to kind of explode a little. Which is not good for carpet, wood, etc.

Just place the censer top on slightly vented during the ignition sequence.

[Theophorus]

Is this a requirement for your icon corner / prayers? In my home - it would not go over well with my family at all....would cause even more divisions...

No. How about beeswax candles instead?

Just get a salad bowel (personal size) , pour in some craft sand to use as a holder.

[All4Christ]

No. How about beeswax candles instead?

Just get a salad bowel (personal size) , pour in some craft sand to use as a holder.
Good idea :-) Where do you get beeswax candles? From an Orthodox bookstore? Conciliar Press? A seminary? I'll go take a look at it :-)

[SeraphimSarov]

But the charcoal kind smells better. :thumbsup:
Oh definitely. :)

[Theophorus]

Good idea :-) Where do you get beeswax candles? From an Orthodox bookstore? Conciliar Press? A seminary? I'll go take a look at it :-)

Some parishes sell them in the book store. Many monasteries sell them also. I have never had to look for them online, so I could not help there.

[All4Christ]

Our bookstore is really small - never saw anything like that there...I'll look online.

[Theophorus]

Our bookstore is really small - never saw anything like that there...I'll look online.

So is ours, but ask the bookstore person. If they don't carry them, then they probably no where to get them. They might even order some for you and start putting them out.

That was the case in our parish awhile ago.

I always ask my book store guy to get me stuff. Icons, candles, books, censers etc.

[Akathist]

http://www.quietlightcandles.net/index.html

This is where I get my beeswax candles.
Another thing that is great about beeswax is that it actually cleans the air. It smells great...but more so it removes polutants.

I bought their voltive candles but find them hard to get out of the holder. I had bought some small tapers from them and next time I am going to order more tapers.

The little tealights are great too. They burn so long!

This is a monestary so buying from them supports the nuns.

[xenia]

Once when I was trying to get my self-light charcoal going good, I was waving it around (using tongs) and a little piece of if flew away and got stuck behind the cabinet my icons are on and the wall. I didn't really notice and started my prayers but soon smelled something burning besides Gloria Incense and discovered that the wall was smoldering.

So be careful!

[wynd]

Once when I was trying to get my self-light charcoal going good, I was waving it around (using tongs) and a little piece of if flew away and got stuck behind the cabinet my icons are on and the wall. I didn't really notice and started my prayers but soon smelled something burning besides Gloria Incense and discovered that the wall was smoldering.

So be careful!

A friend I have had almost the same thing happen to him. He was preparing incense for Mass at the student Catholic church here at school, and a little piece of charcoal broke off. He said it didn't look lit so he threw it in the garbage, and it landed among paper towels and stuff. He left and came back 10 minutes later to a massive cloud of smoke thinking "wow, that incense is really going!" Thankfully there were no actual flames, just lots of smoke.

[SeraphimSarov]

Once when I was trying to get my self-light charcoal going good, I was waving it around (using tongs) and a little piece of if flew away and got stuck behind the cabinet my icons are on and the wall. I didn't really notice and started my prayers but soon smelled something burning besides Gloria Incense and discovered that the wall was smoldering.

So be careful!
I've had little bits break off and start smoldering on the tablecloth... now it's got a nice big burnt hole in it. Of course, now I have the venerable Five Pounder covering it, but still... be careful indeed!

[Dorothea]

Well, I attempted to light the 10-year-old charcoal a couple nights ago, and after several tries, it took and POOFED up a plume of smoke into the living room. LOL Then I put the lid of the little pot on and in a minute the dang thing was out. :blush: LOL I told my priest and he said, "when you put the lid on, it goes out." :blush: DUH. lol

[theoforos]

My dad had a massive quantity of frankincense that he gave to me. It's taken a few years, but I'll probably be out of it by this time next year...


Is frankincense the incense the Catholics use? That's the smell I like best. It's used sometimes in Orthodox churches, too, and it seems like it was used more in the past. I didn't know what the name of that incense was so I went to a Catholic store and bought it there. They didn't know the name either. It was just plain "incense" for them... :) So if I don't find out the name so I can choose among the plentitude of different kinds of incense in Orthodox stores, I guess I'll just have go back to the Catholic store again when I run out in order to get more.

I most typically use incense if I read an akathist. I just lit the coal in the burner and keep adding more incense. But I know there is a (local?) tradition of incensing the house on Saturday night to welcome the Lord's day. Personally I haven't done that many times, though. And I've also heard about farmers blessing their fields with incense.

[nutroll]

Is frankincense the incense the Catholics use? That's the smell I like best. It's used sometimes in Orthodox churches, too, and it seems like it was used more in the past. I didn't know what the name of that incense was so I went to a Catholic store and bought it there. They didn't know the name either. It was just plain "incense" for them... :) So if I don't find out the name so I can choose among the plentitude of different kinds of incense in Orthodox stores, I guess I'll just have go back to the Catholic store again when I run out in order to get more.

I most typically use incense if I read an akathist. I just lit the coal in the burner and keep adding more incense. But I know there is a (local?) tradition of incensing the house on Saturday night to welcome the Lord's day. Personally I haven't done that many times, though. And I've also heard about farmers blessing their fields with incense.
To be honest, I have no idea what incense Catholics use. I've only been to a catholic mass a couple times in my life, and I don't even really recall whether they used incense, much less what kind it was. We used to use frankincense in my church. It is a natural resin which is naturally aromatic, while many other kinds of incense are blends of various scents. I haven't found any incense that I like better than frankincense.

[wynd]

Is frankincense the incense the Catholics use? That's the smell I like best. It's used sometimes in Orthodox churches, too, and it seems like it was used more in the past. I didn't know what the name of that incense was so I went to a Catholic store and bought it there. They didn't know the name either. It was just plain "incense" for them... :) So if I don't find out the name so I can choose among the plentitude of different kinds of incense in Orthodox stores, I guess I'll just have go back to the Catholic store again when I run out in order to get more.

As far as I know, the "standard" Catholic incense is some kind of potpourri stretched out with wood shavings to make it smokier to add to the visual effect of smoke. Although, at the Newman center I used to go to, the priest there only wanted to use "the good stuff"—so he got his incense from his friend, the local Orthodox priest :D