Dikirion and trikirion
Encyclopedia
Dikirion and trikirion (τρικήριον or τρίκηρον) are liturgical
candlestick
s, used by a bishop
of the Eastern Orthodox
and Greek-Catholic Churches to bless the clergy
and faithful. The words mean "dual candle" and "triple candle", respectively, and may also be called by the combined Greek
form (in plural), δικηροτρίκηρα, dikērotríkēra.
The candlesticks are often quite ornate http://www.orthodoxgifts.com/images/tikiri-&-dikiri.gif. The bishop holds the trikirion in his right hand and the dikirion in his left and makes the sign of the cross with both http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2004-0325-ordinations/pages/P3254784_jpg.htm.
Both dikirion and trikirion have a flat base, so that they may stand upright. Above this base is a vertical shaft terminating in candleholders. The dikirion holds two candle
s, representing the dual nature
of Jesus
, and the trikirion holds three, representing the three persons of the Holy Trinity. The candleholders are mounted at an angle so that the candles cross each other. Sometimes in the Russian tradition, the candles are shaped when inserted into their holders so that the separate candles meet and then bend upwards to burn with a single flame. A particularly fancy variation on this has the candles merge in a double and triple spiral. In other traditions, the candles are tied together with ribbons at the point of intersection.
During a hierarchical Divine Liturgy
, the dikirion and trikirion are kept respectively on the northeast and southeast corners of the Holy Table (altar) or on stands placed next to these corners. When they are needed by the bishop, they are carried to him by subdeacon
s, who may also carry them during the Entrances
. One of them may be carried by the deacon
during the censing
by the bishop http://ocaphoto.oca.org/filetmp/2002/July/496/Image/lit04.jpg or by one of the subdeacons during the censing by the deacon.
(Easter) - the Paschal trikirion (Slavonic: Троица, Troitsa). This Paschal form of the trikirion is carried by priests as well as bishops, and sometimes will have coloured candles in it (for instance, red, green and gold).
Eastern Christians (Russian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox and Ukrainian Catholic), it is common for the priest or bishop to use a large three-branch candle for the Great Blessing of Waters on the Great Feast of Theophany (Epiphany).
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
candlestick
Candlestick
A candlestick, chamberstick, or candelabrum is a holder for one or more candles, used for illumination, rituals, or decorative purposes. The name 'candlestick' derives from the fact that it is usually tall and stick-shaped.Candlesticks are also called candle holders...
s, used by a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Eastern Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
and Greek-Catholic Churches to bless the clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
and faithful. The words mean "dual candle" and "triple candle", respectively, and may also be called by the combined Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
form (in plural), δικηροτρίκηρα, dikērotríkēra.
The candlesticks are often quite ornate http://www.orthodoxgifts.com/images/tikiri-&-dikiri.gif. The bishop holds the trikirion in his right hand and the dikirion in his left and makes the sign of the cross with both http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2004-0325-ordinations/pages/P3254784_jpg.htm.
Both dikirion and trikirion have a flat base, so that they may stand upright. Above this base is a vertical shaft terminating in candleholders. The dikirion holds two candle
Candle
A candle is a solid block or cylinder of wax with an embedded wick, which is lit to provide light, and sometimes heat.Today, most candles are made from paraffin. Candles can also be made from beeswax, soy, other plant waxes, and tallow...
s, representing the dual nature
Incarnation
Incarnation literally means embodied in flesh or taking on flesh. It refers to the conception and birth of a sentient creature who is the material manifestation of an entity, god or force whose original nature is immaterial....
of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, and the trikirion holds three, representing the three persons of the Holy Trinity. The candleholders are mounted at an angle so that the candles cross each other. Sometimes in the Russian tradition, the candles are shaped when inserted into their holders so that the separate candles meet and then bend upwards to burn with a single flame. A particularly fancy variation on this has the candles merge in a double and triple spiral. In other traditions, the candles are tied together with ribbons at the point of intersection.
During a hierarchical Divine Liturgy
Divine Liturgy
Divine Liturgy is the common term for the Eucharistic service of the Byzantine tradition of Christian liturgy. As such, it is used in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. Armenian Christians, both of the Armenian Apostolic Church and of the Armenian Catholic Church, use the same term...
, the dikirion and trikirion are kept respectively on the northeast and southeast corners of the Holy Table (altar) or on stands placed next to these corners. When they are needed by the bishop, they are carried to him by subdeacon
Subdeacon
-Subdeacons in the Orthodox Church:A subdeacon or hypodeacon is the highest of the minor orders of clergy in the Orthodox Church. This order is higher than the reader and lower than the deacon.-Canonical Discipline:...
s, who may also carry them during the Entrances
Entrance (Liturgical)
In Eastern Orthodoxy, an entrance is a procession during which the clergy enter into the sanctuary through the Holy Doors. The origin of these entrances goes back to the early church, when the liturgical books and sacred vessels were kept in special storage rooms for safe keeping and the procession...
. One of them may be carried by the deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
during the censing
Incense
Incense is composed of aromatic biotic materials, which release fragrant smoke when burned. The term "incense" refers to the substance itself, rather than to the odor that it produces. It is used in religious ceremonies, ritual purification, aromatherapy, meditation, for creating a mood, and for...
by the bishop http://ocaphoto.oca.org/filetmp/2002/July/496/Image/lit04.jpg or by one of the subdeacons during the censing by the deacon.
Paschal trikirion
There exists a special form of the trikirion used only at PaschaEaster
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
(Easter) - the Paschal trikirion (Slavonic: Троица, Troitsa). This Paschal form of the trikirion is carried by priests as well as bishops, and sometimes will have coloured candles in it (for instance, red, green and gold).
Theophany
Among the UkrainianUkraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
Eastern Christians (Russian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox and Ukrainian Catholic), it is common for the priest or bishop to use a large three-branch candle for the Great Blessing of Waters on the Great Feast of Theophany (Epiphany).
