Candles: A Cherished Tradition
Lighting candles at the Virgin Mary’s house is a heartfelt tradition for many. It symbolizes hope, prayer, and connection with the divine. People gather at this sacred site to light candles, each representing personal wishes, thanks, or requests for guidance.
This act holds deep significance, often accompanied by prayers and reflections. Lighting a candle is seen as a way to share one’s burdens and joys, inviting blessings into one’s life. The gentle glow of the candles creates a serene atmosphere, inviting visitors to pause and reflect.
Many also find comfort in the collective spirit of this practice, knowing that others share in their hopes and prayers. Whether for personal reasons or as part of a larger community observance, lighting candles here is a meaningful experience that fosters connection and faith.
Candles – A Light for Prayers and Wishes Through the Ages
Candles have not only illuminated our homes for thousands of years but also accompanied our prayers, wishes, and rituals. Since ancient times, the gentle flame of a candle has been a symbol of hope, purity, and faith. From temples of antiquity to the shrines of today, people across different cultures and religions have lit candles as a way of expressing devotion and seeking divine blessing.
Candles in Human History
For humanity, candles have always been more than a source of light. In Rome and Greece, candles were offered to gods during festivals; in medieval churches, they symbolized the eternal light of Christ; in Jewish homes, Shabbat candles brought peace to families every week. Even in Islamic shrines, oil lamps and candles reminded believers of purity and divine presence.
Across civilizations, a candle became a bridge between the human heart and the unseen world. Each flicker carried the whisper of a prayer — for health, gratitude, guidance, or remembrance of loved ones.
Rituals and Faith with Candles
Rituals often begin with the lighting of a candle. A single flame turns a simple moment into something sacred. People light candles for healing, for strength in difficult times, or to honor the memory of those who passed away. Spiritual leaders teach that the flame represents the soul reaching out for divine light.
Candles also create community. When hundreds are lit together in a church, mosque, or temple, they remind people of unity in faith. Whether in joy or sorrow, the tradition of candles binds people together.
The Role of Candles at the House of Virgin Mary
At the House of Virgin Mary in Ephesus, lighting a candle has become one of the most important pilgrim rituals. Visitors arrive from around the world to pray, to drink from the holy spring, and to leave written wishes on the Wishing Wall. A candle lit at this sacred site becomes a symbol of devotion to Mary, who is loved both in Christianity and Islam as a woman of purity and faith.
Here, each candle is more than wax and flame — it is a sign of unity among people of different languages, nations, and beliefs.
From Tradition to the Digital World
In today’s world, not everyone can travel to Ephesus. Distance, health, or financial limits prevent many believers from visiting the shrine. Yet the tradition of candles has found a way to continue. Thanks to technology, it is now possible to light a candle online, write a prayer, and share a wish, just as pilgrims have done for centuries.
This digital act does not replace faith — it extends it. It allows someone in America, Europe, or Asia to join the tradition instantly, connecting with the same flame that has burned in sacred places for millennia.
A Global First – HouseofVirginMary.com
The website HouseofVirginMary.com became the first in the world to make online candle lighting possible. This historic step created a new form of pilgrimage — one that is spiritual, global, and accessible. Thousands of people have already lit candles online, proving that faith can adapt and grow in the digital age.
With a single click, visitors share their prayers and intentions, finding peace and hope through an ancient tradition reborn for the modern world.