And
you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of
pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually (Exodus 27.20)
As
a child, I remember always having an olive oil vigil lamp to light up the icons
in my room. It was comforting because I didn’t like my bedroom too dark
and it seemed like something living was there to comfort me… breathing in the
oxygen, giving off heat. Its reflection on the icons of Christ and the
Virgin Mary was all I saw in my dark room. I never felt alone when my
vigil lamp was lit. I have continued to maintain one as the years have
passed.
Since
the lamp is an open flame, I am careful where I place it. We have ours on
a tall dresser and have mounted the icons on the wall behind it. It can’t
be knocked over and it doesn’t heat anything above it to be a fire
hazard.
2 comments:
How many days does the light last using the cotton as a wick?
I thought it lasted 4-5 days and then I learned my son was replacing the wick. :) It usually lasts 1 day.
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