Kristus är världens ljus

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this thesis has been to investigate the liturgical practices of the Paschal candle in five different congregations within the Church of Sweden, and to analyse the underlying reasons for those practices; how and when is the Paschal candle used within the liturgy, and how is its usage interpreted and motivated by the congregations’ ministers and sextons? The thesis bases its findings on in-depth interviews with five ministers and five sextons, and discusses these findings in relation to liturgical theology, especially Gordon W. Lathrop’s theory of juxtaposition. The findings indicate that the use of the Paschal candle is on the increase from the late 1960s onwards; all five congregations used the candle in the services on Easter Saturday and/or Easter Sunday, and subsequently at every service between Easter and Ascension Day. After that period, the Paschal candle continues to be in use during baptisms. In addition to these common liturgical practices, the interviews show some local variations. The conclusion is that the liturgical practices, both communal and local, are consistent with the results of LUKA 27, as well as with the results that emerge in the research literature used for this thesis. The respondents’ aim in using the Paschal candle in baptismal liturgical practices was to reinforce the gospel, lighting the baptism candle from the Paschal candle while reciting John 8:12 where Jesus refers to himself as the light of the world. Lightning the Paschal candle during Easter reinforces the message that Christ is risen, and that light and life have triumphed over darkness and death. The lit Paschal candle represents Christ’s physical presence from the Resurrection until the Ascension.