How long is one "newly illumined?"

[trifecta]

I have heard from 40 days to a lifetime (we are always newly illumined).

Can someone tell me the official answer?

Thanks.

[Asteriktos]

I've never heard an official answer. I like the idea that it's for a lifetime, though that's more about making a point about how salvation is a lifelong process, and perhaps not really meant to be something taken literally. Maybe the best answer is: "until you witness your first parish council meeting," at which point you lose your innocence.  

[Thomas]

I have been advised that one is considered "newly illumined" during the three Sundays in which the newly illuminated is communed holding his/her baptismal candle.  After that they no longer hold their baptismal candles and are no longer considered "newly illumined" merely "illumined" as we all are after becoming Orthodox Christians.

Thomas

[trifecta]

Thanks , Thomas.   A follow up:  Do people still hold that baptismal candles for three weeks following . . . anywhere?  (I was received through chrismation, but still held a candle!)


I was hoping to be newly illumined for a year after chrismation, as in a newlywed.  I figure I need to complete an entire church cycle to lose the "newly."

Thanks, again.

[ms.hoorah]

Thanks , Thomas.   A follow up:  Do people still hold that baptismal candles for three weeks following . . . anywhere?  (I was received through chrismation, but still held a candle!)


I was hoping to be newly illumined for a year after chrismation, as in a newlywed.  I figure I need to complete an entire church cycle to lose the "newly."

Thanks, again.

Welcome home!  Newly Illumined hold a candle in Russian churches and their godparent(s) are supposed to go with them through the communion line during this time.

[Father H]

Just as one who has departed this life is "newly departed" for 40 days, likewise one who is newly baptized, chrismated, communed is "newly illumined" for 40 days.  This goes back to when people were baptized on Pascha, and for 40 days celebrated their new birth and share of the resurrection of Christ for the 40 days of Paschaltide.

[GammaRay]

Maybe the best answer is: "until you witness your first parish council meeting," at which point you lose your innocence.  

In fact, this is when you get your innocence back.

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