Lighting the Great Festival Candle

August 23, 2014

The Festival candle on the altar, 2014

Susan West, photo

As part of the Boar's Head festival traditions, the Dean must always be directly involved in the performances.  The Yule Sprite bears the tiny light of a burning taper.  From it, the Dean lights the great Festival candle.  This symbolizes the coming of the Christ Child into an unenlightened world.  The light is given to the church not only to preserve, but to extend it throughout the Earth.

Yule Sprite with Dean Gail Greenwell, 2014

C.K. Wang, photo

The Rev. James Snodgrass with the Yule Sprite, late 1980's
Photo from Boar's Head archive

The Rev. Edward R. Sims with the Yule Sprite, 1970's or early 1980's
Photo from Boar's Head archive

Yule Sprite Scott Street with the Rev. Morris F. (Ben) Arnold, 1954

Photo from Boar's Head archive