The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (495 page)

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Cand
d
s, Baru
.

Author of
Srikrsnakitana
, an early
Vai
ava
text. Nothing is known of the author, not even his dates.

 
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Candlemas
.

A Christian festival kept forty days after
Christmas
, i.e. on 2 Feb. in most churches. It is also known as the Purification of the Virgin Mary, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, and in the East,
Hypapant
(‘meeting’,
sc.
with
Simeon
), all with reference to the story in Luke 2. 22–39.

 
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Judaism
Traditionally oil was considered a more appropriate fuel for liturgical lights, because candles tended to be made from ritually unclean animals. However, by the Middle Ages, possibly influenced by their use in the
Roman Catholic Church
, candles were employed for
Sabbath
lights, for the
Havdalah
(dividing) ceremony, for searching for leaven at
Passover
, for
anukkah
(Lights), for the
ner tamid
(
eternal light
) hanging before the
synagogue
ark
, and for
Yahrzeit
(commemoration of the dead).
Christianity
In liturgical churches it is usual to have two or more candles (‘altar lights’) on the
altar
, and they may also be carried in procession. Votive candles are also lit before statues or
icons
in churches (Catholic and Orthodox respectively) as personal offerings.

 
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