Candle stands

Candles are used extensively throughout the church during services and after. They are viewed as continual, inanimate prayers offered by the candle's 'benefactor' to God or saints usually on behalf of a third party, although they can be offered for any purpose. Candle stands are placed in front of particularly significant icons throughout Orthodox churches. Either sand candle stands or candle stands with candle supports always have a central candle burning on behalf of the church as a whole but have room for Orthodox to place candles. In particular candle stands are placed in front of the four principle icons on the Iconostasis: the icon of Christ, the Theotokos, St. John the Baptist and the temple's patron Saint. Candles are not restricted to this usage however, besides being used in processions a candle is kept burning above the Royal Doors in the Iconostasis, candles in a seven-branched candle stand are burned during services on the altar (following in the footsteps of the seven branched candle stand in the Old Testament) as well as other candles used at various times in the church year for special purposes. Church candles stands need some care while floor cleaning because water drops easily create black spots on un-protected surface of the brass candle stands. Usually, surface of the brass candle stands is protected either by on-site oil anointing or varnishing. Another option is to purchase gold-plated candle stands. (Partial source: Wikipedia.)