A sanctuary lamp, altar lamp,
everlasting light, or eternal flame is a light that shines before the altar of
sanctuaries in many denominations of Jewish and Christian places of worship. Prescribed
in Exodus 27:20-21 of the Torah, this icon has taken on different meanings in
each of the religions that have adopted it. The passage, which refers to
prescriptions for the tabernacle, states: “And thou shalt command the children
of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause
the lamp to burn always”. Christian churches often have at least one lamp
continually burning before the tabernacle, not only as an ornament of the
altar, but for the purpose of worship. The General Instruction of the Roman
Missal in the Catholic Church, for instance, states (in 316): "In
accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled
by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honor the presence of
Christ." The sanctuary lamp is placed before the tabernacle in Roman
Catholic, Old Catholic, and Anglican churches as a sign that the Blessed
Sacrament is reserved or stored. It is also used in Lutheran churches to
represent the presence of God. The sanctuary lamp may also be seen in Eastern
Orthodox Churches. Other Christian denominations burn the lamp to show that the
light of Christ always burns in a sin-darkened world ■
