Vigil oil lamps vs. beeswax candles

[cobweb]

Which is better for home devotional use?

 

[AureateDawn]

I've been meaning to ask this, too! I can't seem to find any vigil lamps and wicks for sale, so I have been using those 7 day candles you can buy at church.

 

[Akathist]

I buy my vigil lamp and the wicks at my church.

Personally, I use a set up were the lamp also burns incense. But, over time I have found that I prefer to use beeswax candles. I found a monestary that sells them at reasonable prices on line.

The reason I prefer the candle is because the incense burner gets so very messy. I have had more trouble with the clean up. I also have had a couple times when damage has been done to my wall and a burn mark to the carpeting below.

But with the candles, I have not had any damage. The beeswax candle actually cleans the air of impurities too.

Many people use a vigil lamp that attaches to the wall plus candles on the top of a table or bookcase. Then they also burn incense in a home size incense burner.

I don't think one is better then another. It is personal preference.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

My priest encouraged me to get a vigil lamp so I could keep it lit all the time, so I bought one that sits on the table where my icons are (I don't have a place to hang one in front of the icons). I also still use tea-light candles in front of each separate icon. It's not necessary, of course. I just kept using the candles even after I got the vigil lamp.

Mary

 

[AureateDawn]

I just use a 7 day votive that I buy from church and keep it lit constantly.

 

[Andrew21091]

I use oil in my hanging vigel lamp. I like it better than using candles.

 

[katherine2001]

I use candles also, even though they seem to attract my cat. I buy them at the bookstore, though I'm tempted to buy them at the monastery where our church buys them from, St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Monastery in Goldendale, WA. Our priest's daughter is a nun there. As an aside, they also make and sell great lotions and soaps and Greek baked goods (they run a coffee shop also). Their website is at www.stjohnmonastery.org

 

[katherine2001]

My priest encouraged me to get a vigil lamp so I could keep it lit all the time, so I bought one that sits on the table where my icons are (I don't have a place to hang one in front of the icons). I also still use tea-light candles in front of each separate icon. It's not necessary, of course. I just kept using the candles even after I got the vigil lamp.

Mary

I'm a little wary of that since I am single and work and have a cat. I'd be afraid she'd knock it over and I'd set my apartment on fire. Also, I like the smell of beeswax.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

I should clarify - only the vigil lamp stays lit. The candles are only lit during prayer. And I have been assured by people at church that an oil lamp is not a fire danger because the oil acts as a fire retardant and would put the small flame out if it tipped over. You'd really have to have something else catch fire from the small flame somehow for there to be a danger.

Mary

 

[Akathist]

I don't leave anything lit all the time, candle or vigil lamp. I don't want to take the risk of a fire. But, I have left things lit for hours when I am home. That is when the damage to the wall happened. The damage to the floor happened when I was working getting some incense burning and dropped some that was partially lit by accident.

The damage to my wall was from a vigil lamp. It flared up too much and got came into contact with the wall.

But, I have also been told that vigil lamps are safe and that there is hardly ever a fire from them. The smoke damage on my wall however, is something they said sometimes does happen. Never the less, it frightened me.

I also love the smell of beeswax.

Here is a link to the place I buy the candles (another monastery) but, this link is to an article about the health benefits of beeswax candles that they have on their site: http://www.quietlightcandles.net/Aboutbeeswaxcandles.html

Here is a brief excerpt:

The American Lung Association has warned consumers about the danger of unhealthy air quality from burning paraffin candles. Also, thousands of dollars of damage has been caused to homes because soot particles from burning paraffin candles enter into duct work, and then stick to walls, furniture and rugs.
Fortunately, by burning 100% pure beeswax candles, not only are these problems avoided, but beeswax actually cleans the air while burning! This is because burning beeswax creates negative ions, which then capture and neutralize dust, odors, molds, bacteria and other toxins. Many people, especially those who suffer from allergies, find that burning beeswax candles for 30 minutes or so before going to bed produces a more restful sleep.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

I didn't know that about beeswax candles! Thanks! Guess I better make the change. (It's just easier to just stop at any store and pick up a bag of cheap tea-lights, ya know?)

Mary

 

[vanshan]

We keep our hanging oil vigil lamp burning most of the time. Occasionally, if we're running low on oil, I'll extinguish it between prayer times. We also burn beeswax taper candles, which I've ordered online, on our family altar. We burn incense almost everytime we pray, unless they're unusually short.

I like burning oil, and I also feel secure that if it tipped the oil would extinguish the flame, so it seems save, especially since it's hanging out of the reach of our kids and cats. It sometimes is messy to feed the wick through the float and add oil, but it creates a nice flame that you can control. I like the smell of the beeswax too, so go with what you like.

Basil

 

[Akathist]

Mary, that monestary from the same website sells beeswax tea lights. I love them!

 

[Chocolatesa]

I have an oil lamp, and keep it on a bookshelf in front of my icon corner where I know my cats won't go. I keep it lit 24/7 and I've never had any problems.

 

[Andrew21091]

My mom would probably have a fit if I left my lamp going all the time so I light it during prayer times.