An altar lamp, also known as a chancel lamp, refers to a light which is located in the chancel (sanctuary), of various Christian churches. In Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican churches, the chancel lamp burns before a tabernacle or ambry, or simply hangs in the chancel, to demonstrate the belief of the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.[1][2] The sanctuary lamp may also be seen in Eastern Orthodox Churches. Other Christian denominations burn the lamp to signify the presence of God in the church, and as a symbol of the light of Christ always burning in an otherwise sin-darkened world.[3]
The practice is also influenced by Judaism in the Old Testament; in the book of Exodus, God told Moses that a lamp filled with the pure oil should perpetually burn in the Tabernacle. This is the precedent for the custom in the Anglican Church and Catholic Church of burning a candle (at all times) before the tabernacle – the house where the Eucharistic Body of Christ is reserved under lock and key. In Jewish practice, this Altar lamp is known for its Hebrew name, Ner Tamid (Hebrew: "eternal flame or eternal light").[4] Many Christian churches have at least one lamp continually burning, often before an ambry or tabernacle, not only as an ornament of the altar, but for the purpose of worship. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal in the Catholic Church, for instance, states (in 316). "In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honor the presence of Christ."
Such sanctuary or tabernacle lamps are often coloured red, though this is not prescribed by law. This serves to distinguish this light from other votive lights within the church. In the Catholic Church, red is widely used.[5] The use of multiple lights, always in odd numbers, i.e., three, five, seven, or more, in place of a single lamp has now become rarer, though it is still seen in some older Catholic churches and in eastern Christian churches. The lamp may be suspended by a rope or chain over the tabernacle or near the entry of the sanctuary, or it may be affixed to a wall. It is also sometimes placed on a ledge beside the tabernacle or on an individual stand placed on the floor. Oil lamps or candles may be used.
^Hall, Ashley (2012). "Sanctuary lamp". Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church. Retrieved 20 May 2023. In the Christian tradition, the Sanctuary Lamp continues. Like the Old Testament, the lamp reminds us that God is present, and so the sanctuary is a place of peace and quiet reverence. Christians who believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist (which includes Lutherans) also use the lamp to indicate that consecrated bread (also called, The Host) is present, concretely reminding us of God's real, tangible presence among us in our daily lives. The reserved Host are in a ciborium (a metal bowl with a lid) inside the closet next to the altar.
^The American Lutheran, Volumes 9-10. American Lutheran Publicity Bureau. 1926. p. 95. Occasionally there is a sanctuary lamp over the altar, its pulsating red light symbolizing a belief in the Real Presence, and not necessarily indicating the reserved host, as is properly supposed.
^Hickman, Hoyt L. (1 July 2011). United Methodist Altars: A Guide for the Congregation (Revised ed.). Abingdon Press. ISBN 9781426730696. Sanctuary lamp: A candle suspended from the ceiling or mounted on the wall near the Lord's table and constantly burning throughout the week, also referred to as an "eternal light." In Roman Catholic usage it signifies the presence of Christ in the reserved sacrament; in Protestant usage it signifies Christ's presence in the church.
^"Meaning of the Tabernacle Lamp in Catholic Churches". Taylor Marshall.
^Amator Liturgae (March 1920). "Studies and conferences:What is a rubrical altar?". The Ecclesiastical Review. 7. 62 (3): 289. Retrieved 2011-12-27. There is,as he also notes, no authority whatever for the glass of the sanctuary lamp being other than white
An altarlamp, also known as a chancel lamp, refers to a light which is located in the chancel (sanctuary), of various Christian churches. In Roman Catholic...
A sanctuary lamp, chancel lamp, altarlamp, everlasting light, or eternal flame is a light that shines before the altar of sanctuaries in many Jewish...
embellished cabinet inserted into the wall to the right or left of the altar. The lit altarlamp indicated the presence of Christ. This was in accordance with...
each of which and on the central stem was a lamp eternally burning; while in the forecourt was an altar on which the sacred fire was never allowed to...
of levels, like a gopuram tower on a temple. Each Hindu altar will have at least one oil lamp and may contain a tray with puja equipment as well. Hindus...
An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a Christian liturgy. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such...
An oil lamp is a lamp used to produce light continuously for a period of time using an oil-based fuel source. The use of oil lamps began thousands of...
chanted by readers as the priest brings the gifts to be consecrated onto the altar. In the Latin Catholic Church, this composition became popular as a separate...
Christians to pray seven times a day "on rising, at the lighting of the evening lamp, at bedtime, at midnight" and "the third, sixth and ninth hours of the day...
candles plus an extra one for lighting the others. Tall candlesticks and altarlamps are often found in Christian churches as well. A special set of two-...
liturgies. Altar candles may sit directly on the altar or be placed in tall stands to the side of or behind the altar. For safety, altar candles are...
the altar. All these rites are Middle-ages developments. It begins with the dressing of the priest with vestments and the preparation of the altar, along...
piece of yellow or red cloth (for the Kalash) A ghee lamp (with at least three wicks) An oil lamp Cotton wicks Panchamrita (uncooked mixture of milk, yogurt...
iconostasis, a partition covered with icons, separates the area around the altar from the nave. The sign of the cross, accompanied by bowing, is made very...
Exodus, followed by another Prokimenon. The priest then emerges from the altar carrying a candle and censer, proclaiming, 'The Light of Christ illumines...
The altar rail (also known as a communion rail or chancel rail) is a low barrier, sometimes ornate and usually made of stone, wood or metal in some combination...
the six-branch seven-lamp Temple menorah, table for showbread, and an altar of incense. An enclosure containing the sacrificial altar and bronze laver for...
remains in such a temporary tabernacle, a lamp or candle is kept continuously burning before it. Mention of the altar of repose and the procession to it is...
to burn continuously upon the Outer Altar. Modern Judaism continues a similar tradition by having a sanctuary lamp, the ner tamid, always lit above the...
A Sacred Heart lamp is a Catholic devotional object, traditionally found in Irish homes. Ireland was consecrated to the Sacred Heart on Passion Sunday...
An altar cloth is used in the Christian liturgy to cover the altar. It serves as a sign of reverence as well as a decoration and a protection of the altar...
the narthex, nave and altar. The royal doors divide the narthex from the nave and the iconostasis divides the nave from the altar. The narthex or porch...
on or behind the altar in the sanctuary. Though candles may be used, the traditional practice is to use olive oil in the seven-lamp lampstand. There are...