UPON THIS ROCK 

Paschal Candle

2016

Trinity Church Supply introduced a new Paschal Candle to our collection last year, in 2015. Paschal candles have always been outstanding in their symbolism and artistry. This particular one adds even more to the rich tradition.

UPON THIS ROCK

The UPON THIS ROCK Paschal Candle bears all the usual Paschal markings, with pigment-infused wax appliques. The colors of the symbols decorating the candle are ivory-white, red, gray, gold and silver.

The unique augmentation used on this particular candle is the addition of Petrine symbols to the full set of typical Paschal markings.There is a lower level of wax appliques that includes a (gray) rock foundation. This specifically refers to Peter. 

After Jesus chose Simon as His apostle, He immediately looked at him and said, “You will be called ‘Peter’ " (a name rendered in Aramaic as “the Rock”). (John 1:42). Later Jesus said the words, “…You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church…” (Mt. 16:18).

The wax portion of the rock foundation has an insert of an upside down cross, with a gold and a silver key(s) criss-crossed over the white upside-down cross. St. Peter, of course, was traditionally known to have been crucified upside down, since he humbly requested a manner of crucifixion different than His Lord, Jesus Christ. Lastly, the gold and silver waxen keys represent the fact that Peter was given the keys to the kingdom by Jesus, Himself.

In Vernon Johnson’s book, One Lord, One Faith (Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 2008), he points out (p. 100) that Peter was “singled out from the rest of the Apostles” and “given…the titles…foundation stone, key bearer, [and] shepherd…[These] are titles* known to all the Apostles as belonging to the Messiah”. 

Peter’s appointment was similar to Moses’ request to God that He appoint a new leader (after he, Moses, was gone) so that God’s people would   “ ‘be not as sheep which have no shepherd’ (Num. 27:16ff.)” [ibid, p. 99]. 

Jesus chose Peter, and after His resurrection, He emphasized the shepherding role by asking Peter three times to “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep…” The uppermost symbol on this Paschal candle artistically depicts sheep in a color-infused applique trimmed in a gold band.

May this new candle add to your own 

celebration

of the Easter season this coming year.

*stone: Isa. 28:16, IPet.2:6; key-bearer: Isa. 22:22, Rev. 3:7; shepherd: Isa. 40:11, Jn. 21:15