Incense in biblical tradition
Incense is a sacred element present as far back as the Old Testament. Its use is mentioned several times in the Bible, notably in the book of Exodus where God gives Moses precise instructions for the composition of incense to be burnt in the Tabernacle. This mixture of frankincense, myrrh and other precious resins was to be used only for divine worship, on pain of punishment. In the Psalms, incense is often associated with prayers, as witness Psalm 141, which expresses the wish that prayer should rise to God like the smoke of incense.
In the New Testament, incense is one of the gifts offered to Jesus by the Magi, signifying his divinity and his role as mediator between God and man. In the Apocalypse, Saint John describes a heavenly vision in which angels burn incense as an offering before God, associated with the prayers of the saints. These passages show that the use of incense in the Christian liturgy is not simply a tradition but part of a deep spiritual continuity.
The symbolism of incense in Christianity
Incense carries a rich and multiple symbolism. Firstly it represents the elevation of the faithful's prayer to God. The smoke that rises is a reminder of the soul's aspiration to reach the Creator and expresses the communion between believers and the divine. Secondly, it is a sign of purification used to sanctify places of worship, liturgical objects and the faithful themselves. Finally, it marks the divine presence, recalling the cloud that accompanied the Hebrews in the desert or filled the Temple in Jerusalem when God was manifest. Its specific scent and slow diffusion create an atmosphere conducive to meditation and prayer.
The use of incense in the liturgy
In the Catholic and Orthodox Churches incense is used in many liturgical ceremonies. At solemn Mass, it often accompanies the entrance procession where the priest incenses the altar as a sign of veneration. It is also used to honour the evangeliary before the reading of the Gospel and to bless the faithful and sacred objects. During adoration of the Blessed Sacrament incense is burnt to mark respect for and recognition of the real presence of Christ in the consecrated host.
In Christian funerals incense is an essential element. It is used to bless the deceased symbolising the ascent of their soul to God. It also expresses the prayers of the living who accompany the deceased on his final journey. On major liturgical feasts such as Christmas, Easter, the Ascension and the Assumption, incense is used more widely to accentuate the sacred nature of the celebration and elevate the prayers of the congregation.
The different types of incense used
The incense used in Christianity is generally in the form of grains composed of natural resins such as frankincense, myrrh, benzoin and storax. These resins are often mixed with other aromatic substances to produce specific scents adapted to different liturgical periods. Some incenses are used according to the liturgical seasons to accompany the spiritual rhythm of the year.
In personal practice some believers use incense in sticks or cones although these forms are less common in the ecclesiastical tradition. The domestic use of incense can be a means of sanctifying a personal prayer space by creating an atmosphere conducive to meditation and recollection.
How to use incense in personal prayer
Incense can be a precious spiritual support in daily prayer. It can mark a time of recollection and create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue with God. To use it, simply place a burning coal in a censer or special burner and then place a few grains of incense on top, taking care to let the smoke spread slowly around the room. Some devotees recite a prayer as they light the incense asking God to purify their spirit and lift their soul to Him.
It is advisable to use natural incense without chemical additives in order to respect the purity and sacred dimension of this element. In monasteries and traditional churches incense is often carefully chosen for its quality and ability to encourage concentration and prayer.
Religious incense today between tradition and modernity
Despite its importance in liturgy incense has sometimes been called into question, particularly because of sensitivities to fumes or misunderstandings about its spiritual significance. Some worshippers regard incense as a mere tradition, whereas it has a profoundly spiritual and biblical value. However, it remains an essential element of Christian worship, bearing witness to the mystical and transcendent dimension of prayer.
Christian religious incense is much more than a perfume used during services. It is a spiritual language a visible and olfactory offering conveying the desire for sanctification and elevation. Its use, rooted in the Bible and in the tradition of the Church, continues to carry the prayers of believers down the centuries. Whether in a cathedral a chapel or a personal prayer corner it reminds us that every sincere prayer rises to God and that the divine presence often manifests itself through the most subtle things.
Christian religious incense is much more than just a liturgical element. Since biblical times, it has accompanied the prayers of the faithful, symbolising the elevation of the soul towards God, purification and the divine presence. Its use in ceremonies and in personal prayer bears witness to a living tradition that has spanned the centuries. Even today, despite certain misgivings, it remains a powerful spiritual tool, reminding us that every sincere prayer is an offering to heaven. Whether in a church or at home, incense is an invitation to meditation and contemplation, reinforcing the link between man and the divine.
