The Candle Problem

Speaking of summer, we might as well shed some light on the subject of church candles, whose behaviour at this time of year is often problematic.

Candles have become indispensable attributes of Orthodox worship, symbols of prayer and Christian life in general. They shine on and thus continue their service to God. Often, however, we witness some "impious behaviour" from these symbols and models on the candle holder. They smoke, bend and drip. This illustrates beautifully how we may look in the eyes of God at times.

Still, let us spend some time looking at the reasons. Fortunately, we can benefit from the expertise of Ruslan Filipenok, the brother in charge of our Convent’s candle workshop.

Without going into too much technical detail, the manufacturing process of a candle is quite straightforward: we add a wick to molten combustible material. But beyond these two basic components, there are many nuances, and it is these nuances that allow such wide variation in the properties of a candle, which may be adjusted not only for cold or hot weather but also for the conditions of a particular church.

So, let us go to the heart of the matter.

The candle bends

When multiple candles stand on one candle holder, the local temperature increases. In summer, this effect is even more visible, since the ambient temperatures are much higher. The candles bend and fall on the holder, and only the intervention of concerned parishioners keeps the mess from going fully out of control. This does not include instances of a shorter candle heating a longer one – one must keep an eye on the candle arrangement separately.

The composition of the candle material is key. The main ingredients of church candles are wax and paraffin. Wax is used for a reason - it has a higher melting temperature and displays more stable behaviour on the candlestick. The main advantage of paraffin as compared to wax is its cost. This alone allows paraffin candles to stay competitive, as not all parishes can afford all-wax candles.

If your candles are bowing on the candle holder, you have one of two problems: the candle mix is not appropriate, or it is too hot in the church

Depending on the buyer's budget, the manufacturers may compose a separate blend for a particular time of year. A summer candle will be more durable in hot weather but will break easily in cold weather (during loading, in transit, or when held - for example, while someone is trying to straighten out a bent candle).

A winter candle is more malleable at lower temperatures. Frequently, manufacturers offer an in-between variant produced en mass- and therefore relatively cheaply. They are most suitable for churches with constant inside temperatures, air conditioning, or small numbers of parishioners, where they perform at their best.

The ratio of wax to paraffin varies between 0 and 100%. Additives can be used, which is almost certainly the case with paraffin: no paraffin product can do without plasticisers, stabilisers, or aroma agents.

A logical question arises: how can wax products still survive the competition against the wonders of modern chemistry? We will answer the question in the next paragraph, but in the meantime, here is the takeaway: if your candles are bowing on the candle holder, you have one of two problems: the candle mix is not appropriate, or it is too hot in the church - every candle has its temperature limit.

The candle smokes

Combustion always leaves emissions, but their quantity and quality matter. An unstable flame suggests that some of the vaporized mass will not burn, so any candle will smoke in a draft or air movement.

Again, we return to the ingredients. Here is an experiment you might conduct. Take a good wax candle and a paraffin candle of the same diameter. Then hold two glasses over each candle for the same time at about 1 cm from the flame. A natural all-wax candle leaves a small amount of residue of the consistency of coarse grey dust that can be easily wiped off. Paraffin will leave a much larger trace: think of burning oil or any petroleum product. It will look more like soot, which is harder to clean. At the same time, paraffin residues are much more toxic.

You can experiment with the candle samples you are offered, and draw conclusions about the amount of residue that will likely be deposited on the interior of your church

Consider these two examples. In the parish where I served for several years, they painted white the lower belt of the wall every Easter. The difference from the rest of the wall was staggering - and the candles were clearly of the cheaper types.

At the Convent's Reigning Icon Church, where the walls were painted and covered by mosaics 15 years ago, nothing but full wax candles have been used since construction. Recently, the mosaic artists came to inspect the state of their works and found them in almost perfect condition.

It is true that poorly refined wax releases more emissions, but poorly treated paraffin, as many experts will agree, wreak a veritable ecological disaster for the church and the congregation.

The candle drips

It barely burns, its flame is weak and low. A large puddle of molten mass accumulates under the flame (ideally, this area should look like a partly filled funnel). Molten fuel trickles down and hardens, forming the most unlikely figures.

Even good candles may drip in a draught.

Probable reason: wrong wick for the candle diameter or the candle mix. The candle drips because its wick is unable to fully absorb and burn the molten wax in the candle. Upscale manufacturers will make their own wicks, adjusting them for the candle mix and selecting the right thickness and twist.

It is also possible that the ingredient mix is of poor quality or non-flammable additives accumulate in significant amounts and spill out. But even good candles may drip in a draught.

Bottom line, or a parish’s options

1) As you may see, there is not always a good substitute for the benefits of natural wax, so all-wax candles are still in demand.

2) Sometimes, candle holders for the parishioners are put in places with little air movement.

3) To protect valuable murals, candle holders are sometimes moved to the narthex (vestibule).

4) Installing a professional ventilation system can significantly reduce the amount of soot buildup on the walls of the church.

5) Some find it easier to make cosmetic repairs from time to time.

Either way, the candle problem should be taken seriously, and responded to with appropriate corrective measures. Ideally, an experienced manufacturer will offer a candle blend for your particular temperature range, air volume and numbers of visitors (changes in the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide also affect candle performance), and other factors. When both parties are interested, it is a possibility. If that is not an option, one is left to experiment with what is available and find the best solution.