Service of Qandilo

 The Service of Qandilo

A Sacrament of Healing and Forgiveness in the Syriac Orthodox Church.

The Anointing of the Sick is one of the Holy Mysteries in the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch.

As with all aspects of the Syriac Orthodox liturgical tradition, this service is firmly rooted in the teachings of the Holy Scripture. Drawing upon the words of St. James, who instructs in his epistle, “If any of you is sick, they should call for the Church elders [Gr. Presbuteros, i.e., priests], who should then pray for them and anoint them with oil in the name of our Lord. This faithful prayer will heal the sick person and our Lord will raise them up; if that person committed any sins, they will be forgiven them” (St. James 5:14-15). This passage serves as the theological foundation for the sacrament, illustrating its purpose as a conduit for divine mercy and a means of encountering the living presence of Christ tangibly. 

Origin and Theological Meaning of Qandilo in the Syriac Orthodox Tradition 

In the Syriac Orthodox Church, there are two services for the Anointing of the Sick: the shorter “meshho d’kreehe” and the more elaborate Qandilo. The “Thakso d’Qandilo” or ‘Order of the Candle’ takes its name from the five candles central to the service. This sacred rite may be administered to both the healthy and the sick alike and is, therefore, a manifestation of the Church's dedication to promoting the healing of the body and restoration of the soul through repentance and spiritual renewal.

Qandilo is neither a form of extreme unction at the time of death nor is it merely a rite for good health; rather, it is a sacrament of grace through which the faithful experience divine healing and spiritual fortification. Dr. Sebastian Brock notes that compared to the shorter anointing rite, the Qandilo service is one of a “markedly penitential character.”

The arrangement of the candles in the Qandilo reflects the Church’s deep reverence for Christ as the “Light of the world” (St. John 8:12), a symbol of His presence that dispels darkness and brings truth and healing. The five candles are carefully placed in the shape of a cross on a plate of dough, symbolizing both the unity of faith and the purification of the five senses. In traditional Syriac Orthodox understanding, there are five physical senses and five spiritual senses. Each candle represents an aspect of spiritual enlightenment, recalling the parable of the five wise virgins in Matthew 25, who prepared oil for the bridegroom’s arrival, a reminder that a vigilant & pure heart is required to receive divine grace.

Preparation and Symbolism in the Qandilo Service 

The preparation before commencing the Qandilo service reflects a meticulous observance of tradition, marked by spiritual reverence and symbolism. The service begins with a glass or ceramic plate filled with dough in oil, placed upon a table, representing the Church’s unity across generations. This dough is shaped into a circle to signify the wholeness and continuity of the Church’s faith. Five cotton wicks are then arranged in the shape of a cross, positioned in the four cardinal directions—east, west, north, and south—and one wick at the center. Each direction is a reminder of the universality of Christ’s salvific mission and His healing power across all nations & peoples. 

Ordained clergy perform the service, underscoring the role of the Church and her ministers as the mediators between God and the faithful. Likewise, the presence of the clergy emphasizes the therapeutic character of repentance, priests and bishops being akin to physicians administering medicines to the infirm. The penitent believer, whether seeking healing or spiritual renewal, kneels or lies beside the table, expressing humility and readiness to receive divine mercy. In the Syriac Orthodox view, true healing entails a complete surrender to God’s will and a deep trust in His merciful love.

The Order of Prayers and the Lighting of the Candles in the Service of Qandilo 

Unlike the shorter “meshho d’kreehe,” the rite of Qandilo is celebrated in five services. It follows a structured liturgical order of prayers & scripture readings, consistent across all five parts: 

1. Opening Prayer 

2. Psalm 51 

3. Promiune 

4. Sedro 

5. ‘Etro 

6. Epistle Readings 

7. Holy Gospel 

8. Litany 

9. Concluding Prayer 

These prayers guide the faithful toward a deeper spiritual encounter, preparing them to receive the divine healing and forgiveness promised by the sacrament. Interspersed between these prayers and readings are beautiful hymns that are poetic masterpieces, drawing in all attendees of the service into a state of deep introspection. Each of the five services commences with the lighting of a candle, symbolizing the gradual unfolding of divine light and grace that purifies the penitent’s soul and body. 

The priest anoints the penitent with oil during each service, representing the Holy Spirit's presence and recalling the healing acts of Christ and His apostles. The candles are lit in a specific order—east, center, west, north, and south—signifying Christ’s light emanating from the East, a reminder of His promised return (St. Matthew 24:27). 

Throughout the service, the priest traces the sign of the cross on the penitent’s forehead, chest, knees, and hands, sanctifying their entire being. This act emphasizes the Syriac Orthodox belief that divine grace should touch every aspect of life, renewing, purifying, and restoring the individual completely.

The Scriptural and Theological Foundation of the Qandilo 

The theological basis for the Qandilo is deeply rooted in the Holy Scriptures. The act of anointing with oil is seen as a sign of divine favor and consecration, as illustrated by the apostolic teaching in James 5:14-15. Additionally, the sacrament echoes the miraculous healings of Christ, such as the healing of the blind man with mud (John 9:6-7), a tangible manifestation of divine intervention and grace. These miracles serve as a testament to the holistic healing ministry of Christ, which encompasses both physical restoration and spiritual renewal. 

The rite of Qandilo is also a reflection of the communal nature of salvation in the Syriac Orthodox Church. The presence of multiple clergy during the sacrament represents the collective intercession of the Church, emphasizing the role of the Church as the mediator of divine grace. St. Paul’s exhortation, “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26), encapsulates the understanding of Qandilo as a communal sacrament, in which the entire Church intercedes for the penitent, standing together in prayer and support.

Faith, Repentance, and the Transformative Power of Qandilo 

The essence of the Qandilo sacrament lies in the faith and repentance of the penitent, underscoring the Syriac Orthodox belief that healing is not solely physical but encompasses the soul as well. This sacrament serves as a call to genuine repentance and renewed faith in God’s merciful love for His creation, which is essential for receiving God’s grace. The prayers in Qandilo include pleas for forgiveness and the priest’s supplication to the Holy Trinity, asking for God’s mercy upon the penitent. The Church teaches that unrepentant sin forms a barrier between the believer and God; through confession and contrition, this barrier is lifted, allowing divine grace to flow freely. 

Thus, the penitent approaches the sacrament not merely seeking physical relief but as an opportunity for a transformative encounter with Christ. The anointing oil, representing the Holy Spirit, becomes a conduit through which the penitent experiences divine healing, and the grace of God is imparted to them. This sacrament not only fosters personal renewal but also strengthens the communal bond of believers within the Church, reflecting her belief in shared faith and unity.

The Qandilo sacrament holds profound spiritual and communal significance in the Syriac Orthodox Church, representing a sacred encounter with Christ’s healing light, forgiveness, and divine intervention. Beyond a prayer for physical recovery, it reinforces the unity of believers and underscores the priest’s role as a mediator bridging the heaven and earth. Through this sacrament's rich symbols and prayers, the faithful experience God’s love, the mystery of faith, and the hope of salvation, walking in the enduring light of Christ’s grace and mercy.