Church Incense

الوصف

The use of incense during Christian religious services dates back to the very earliest days of Christianity, beginning with the gift of frankincense give to Christ by the Magi. Today, incense plays an important part in the Catholic Mass, and is used by many other denominations as well. During Mass incense is used to venerate the altar, the Book of the Gospels, the bread and wine, and the assembled congregation. It is also used during funerals to venerate the body of the deceased. Traditionally, five grains of liturgical incense are placed in the paschal candle at the Easter Vigil, as a symbol of the five wounds Christ received at the Crucifixion. The use of church incense is rich in symbolic meaning. The purifying fragrance of the church incense represents virtue. The rising smoke represents the prayers of the congregation rising towards God.