paschal candle

American  

noun

1. a tall candle, symbolizing Christ, that is sometimes blessed and placed on the gospel side of an altar on Holy Saturday and kept burning until Ascension Day.

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Example Sentences

After starting the service in the rear of the church with the traditional lighting of a large paschal candle, he was taken in a wheelchair to the front to preside at the Mass.

From Reuters • Apr. 8, 2023

During the service, a white pall covers the coffin to symbolize eternal life; a paschal candle flickering at the foot of the coffin symbolizes the Risen Christ.

From Time Magazine Archive

Bede testifies, The same idea was preserved in the practice of forming the Agnus Dei with the wax of the paschal candle.

From The Ceremonies of the Holy-Week at Rome by Baggs, Charles Michael

The ceremonies of holy saturday-morning may be arranged under three heads: 1st. the blessing of the fire and of the paschal candle: 2nd. the preparation for, and ceremonies of, baptism: 3rd. the litany and mass.

From The Ceremonies of the Holy-Week at Rome by Baggs, Charles Michael

However, I entered the west door, and passed into almost complete darkness, only relieved by the paschal candle that was burning at a side altar and the red lamp in the choir.

From In Troubadour-Land A Ramble in Provence and Languedoc by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)