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.
Just found this string.
When I was child in the United States in the 1950s, Advent wreathes were unadorned evergreen with four white candles and it dissappeared on Christmas Eve.
By the 1960s it was three violet candles and a single pink or rose candle. This reflected the vestments and paraments in the RC church I attended with my Mother.
When I attended services in my father’s Episcopal church, the candles were three in Royal Blue and one in Rose. In the 1970s, a fifth white candle was added to the center of the wreath on Christmas Eve in both Churches and on Christmas morning all of the Candles were changed to white.
The wreath was still evergreen branches although on occaision holly branches and gold ribbon would be added to the wreath on Christmas eve.
This was entirely up to the altar guild ladies.
I’ve just found this too. Until I was fortysomething I’d always assumed the church had run out of purple ones and was making do with pink for the last week.
And I’m still waiting to be asked to light, First week some old guy gets chosen as a patriarch (not me), next week somebody wise as a prophet (definitely not me), then some other bloke as John, then somebody either matronly or virginal for Mary (not me either way).
I may start my own church
Flying bishops are definately called for –at least. Or perhaps a separate rpvince.
Could be called :–
Common Candle Cause
Nothing much to say but just a message to put this message equal first in the popularity stakes.
…actually with five months to go before the St Mary’s advent comes out again, I must remember to check it out to determine if any maintenance is required. I think some of the paint is lifting, so a resprary my be required.
good job
i love the advent wreath
St Mary’s advent wreath has been refurbished – a new coat of black paint – and will be put in place on Saturday night ready for Kelvin’s attentions during divine service on Sunday.
St.Silas has taken delivery of its advent candles – three purple and one pink, just like they should be! We rock :-).
I did a search for Advent Candles and came across your controversy. We are a small C of S and have four red + one White. Our controversy is “when should it be removed?” Candlemass?