Votive Candles

Votive Candles are small candles and used mainly for religious worship in Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church. These candles do not give much of light. It is made from paraffin, beeswax, or other waxes. However, when cluster of these candles lit together, they give out good light around.

These votive candles are round in shape like any normal candles and they come in different sizes and lengths. These candles in the church are usually lit by visitors who come there for a prayer meeting. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, candles are lit before icons, usually of Jesus Christ or the Holy Theotokos. Usually Orthodox churches only use long, thin candles.

These are usually placed in round containers, having either various sockets to hold the candles, or in a container filled with sand, in which the worshipers place their candles.Orthodox churches will usually have a separate place to put candles lit for the departed; Roman Catholic churches make no such distinction.

Votive Candles are lit for prayer intentions. To "light a candle for someone" indicates one's intention to say a prayer for another person, and the candle symbolizes that prayer. A donation box intended to defer candle costs generally accompanies votive candles. In some churches, the donation is considered a mandatory contribution in exchange for lighting a candle.