On THE MEETING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST/Presentation of Our Lord (Стрітення), Ukrainians have a custom of blessing candles.
This is symbolic of Christ being the Light of the World, and thereby, we bless the candles and bring light in to the darkness of the world.
People often light these candles during storms, etc.
My question is this, I understand the reason for blessing the candles and their use, however, every year, there is one woman who will run up and place a couple of icons on the table to be blessed, as well. This than demands that the priest, flip through his book and find the appropriate prayers for the blessing of icons.
Every year she does this.
Is this proper? Shouldn't this day be reserved for candles, only? Light?
Or is this perfectly permissible, in which case, I have a number of icons I need to get blessed and would love to add to the collection on the table, instead of bothering the priest another time.
Just wondering.
