"CENSER"

My husband's mother brought this censer with her when she left Greece. Here in America she followed the tradition of the church by burning incense in this censer by igniting a charcoal pellet in the bottom of the censer with a match. Incense is added and when it becomes fragrant and smoky, she'd lift the censer, making the sign of the cross with it. The fragrant smoke of the incense symbolically carries prayers to God and dates back to an ancient tradition in the Old Testament. She would go through the house asking for God"s blessing and saying prayers at each persons bedroom. She passed in 1985. I treasure her censer and think of her fondly. We do follow some of the traditions that were so much a part of her life.

As with so many of the old world traditions this one has not been carried on in many of the 1st and 2nd generation families. However incense contributes to the mystery of the Orthodox church and is used throughout the service.