by St. Nikolai of Ohrid and Zica
First-because our faith is light.
Christ said: I am the light of the world (John 8:12). The light of the vigil lamp reminds us of
that light by which Christ illumines our souls.
Second-in order to remind us of the radiant character of the saint before whose
icon we light the vigil lamp, for saints are called sons of light (John 12:36,
Luke 16:8).
Third-in order to serve as a reproach to us for our dark deeds, for our evil
thoughts and desires, and in order to call us to the path of evangelical light;
and so that we would more zealously try to fulfill the commandments of the
Saviour: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works" (Matt. 5:16).
Fourth-so that the vigil lamp would be our small sacrifice to God, Who gave
Himself completely as a sacrifice for us, and as a small sign of our great gratitude
and radiant love for Him from Whom we ask in prayer for life, and health, and
salvation and everything that only boundless heavenly love can bestow.
Fifth-so that terror would strike the evil powers who sometimes assail us even
at the time of prayer and lead away our thoughts from the Creator. The evil
powers love the darkness and tremble at every light, especially at that which
belongs to God and to those who please Him.
Sixth-so that this light would rouse us to selflessness. Just as the oil and
wick burn in the vigil lamp, submissive to our will, so let our souls also burn
with the flame of love in all our sufferings, always being submissive to God's
will.
Seventh-in order to teach us that just as the vigil lamp cannot be lit without
our hand, so too, our heart, our inward vigil lamp, cannot be lit without the
holy fire of God's grace, even if it were to be filled with all the
virtues. All these virtues of ours are,
after all, like combustible material, but the fire which ignites them proceeds
from God.
Eighth-in order to remind us that before anything else the Creator of the world
created light, and after that everything else in order: And God said, let there
be light: and there was light (Genesis 1:3).
And it must be so also at the beginning of our spiritual life, so that
before anything else the light of Christ's truth would shine within us. From this light of Christ's truth
subsequently every good is created, springs up and grows in us.
May the Light of Christ illumine you as well!
Saint Nikolai Velimirovich
