Light as a symbol of the divine presence marked the most gracious places in the church. The icon lamp was used in the décor as an illuminating device for spotlighting, most importantly, the revered icons in the iconostasis and on the choir galleries. Spotlighting during the service created a unique atmosphere of deep sorrow with a ray of devout hope.
A luminary in the form of a bowl suspended on chains is known as a “censer” (“kadilo”). Terracotta and copper censer lamps of various shapes were found in large numbers in Christian catacombs. In Russian-language sources, the censer is referred to using various terms, including “lampada”, “svescha”, “sveschnik”, and “svecha”. Large luminaries made up of several candles or lamps are called “polikadilo” (from Greek πολύς — “many” and κανδήλα — “candle”) and “panikadilo” (from Greek πάς — “whole” and κανδήλα — “candle”).
Byzantine bronze and silver censers of the 5th–7th centuries, suspended on three chains, were made in the form of hemispherical, cylindrical, or shaped vessels, vases with a tray or with small legs. The tray and legs were necessary to install the lamps on a plane to fill them with oil and change the wick.
In the early 12th century, Russian hegumen Daniel reported that during his pilgrimage to Jerusalem he saw censers in which oil was poured and wicks were put in tin holders. He also placed on the tomb of the Lord “his” censer “from the whole Russian land”. At the iconostasis above the holy gates, the censer was usually suspended on a cord, which allowed it to be lowered and raised as necessary.
