I was just in conversation with my American correspondent in the Diocese of Argyll about Liturgical Matters. It transpires that there is schism between us. It is my belief that the candles on an Advent Wreath should be red, with the possible addition of a white one in the middle at Midnight Mass. It is her belief that candles should be either all purple or three purple ones and a pink one.
My contention is that this purple and pink business is something which came to us from our colonial brethren not that many decades ago and that it is, like George Bush, something of which they should repent. My correspondent replied with the assertion that red candles on an Advent Wreath could never be, because “…red candles are common”.
This seems to confirm my view that although she may not be personally responsible for changing our candles from red to purple/pink, her co-countrypersons were. Anyone beg to differ?
If we could resolve differences such as this, we might be able to move to some kind of companion link with the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles one day, which would be quite exciting. We could go there for visits and exchanges, and maybe even share communion.
Why are they ti be red?
In the telephone conversation that started this, neither of us were able to justify our prejudices. I don’t claim to be able to now. I did try claiming that they should be red like holly-berries, but this was countered by the assertion that in the Diocese of Dunoon, all red berries had been stripped from the Advent Wreath.
Jesus sometimes had to explain his parables to his disciples. Could you explain this one to us?
The question is, who started making advent wreathes with three purple and one pink candle? I think this practise came from the US, and wish it hadn’t.
The Rector of Dunoon & Co, with whom I was speaking originally hails from the states.
I have a confession: I’m with Argyll and the Isles, on this one Kelvin (3 purple, one pink, one gold/white) – if only because it lets me bring out my rose chasuble for an airing! Surely all the orthodox faithful would expect nothing less? Otherwise there would indeed be good cause for a fearful schism.
The question, Kelvin, is not one of origin but aesthetics. And whilst I am very grateful for David’s support, if red candles are ‘common’, gold are simply unthinkable. I did offer the option of all candles being white. That would set the pink berries in the Advent wreath off perfectly.
It occurs to me that we need the only fully qualified American Aesthete we know to arbitrate — Kelvin: can you get Edward in on this?
How many angels dance on a candle wick?
Actually, I can answer that one – none, because they’re all on the tree…
I fear that Edward’s aesthetic judgement might not extend to this topic. Pink berries on an Advent Wreath are not so much common as camp.
I do agree that it is a question of aesthetics. The truth is, in my little world, advent is blue (not purple, not pink) and full of greenery and red candles on the wreath whilst Lent is bare and colourless (not purple at all).
Fr David, if I had rose vestments, it might be that my judgement might be swayed. However, rose vestments in the dressing up cupboard there are none and so red candles prevail.
O dear Kelvin – get some ordered – they’d look lovely on you!