Peter was originally called Simon (Simeon). Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, the Greek translation of the Aramaic, ‘rock’ in anticipation of Peter’s major role as the leader of the disciples and the first church of Jerusalem.
Before Peter became a disciple, he was a fisherman together with his brother, Andrew. He was also married.
Peter was a very interesting disciple. He was the first disciple chosen by Jesus. Though he was a willing one, he often questioned his faith.
He admitted his unworthiness and guilt when he had to deny knowing Christ three times as the cock crowed and when he was being examined by the Jewish council.
The above photo of a thuribe and accompanying note were taken at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), Cromwell Road, London.
The museum houses beautiful and interesting objects. It is free and well worth a visit.
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A thurible, which is a metal censer, is where incense is burned during worship service in many Christian churches.
The thurible is then swung from side to side and backwards and forwards in the altar by a thurifer, an acolyte or server, who assists the priests during service.
At All Saints’ Church, an Anglican church near us, the scent and smoke from the incense can be rather overpowering, especially for those sitting in the front pew.
There are many types of incense producing different aromas.
Incense granules used in church services
Peter, who was a server and a Thurifer at church services mentioned that he and fellow servers would sometimes try to see who could make the most smoke and incense when preparing the censer/thurible. Our vicar was quite happy with lots of incense smoke, which, sometimes cause a fog in the sanctuary. The more smoke the better.
This all stopped when a few complaints were received. lol
Charcoal tablets for heating up incense
Before or during a service, small round tablets of charcoal are heated up above a candle flame until red hot and greying with ash. The hotter the charcoal the more incense smoke would be produced
It used to take a long time to heat the charcoal, but with the advent of self-igniting charcoal, which needed less initial heating made this process became quicker.
During the church service, the priest would sprinkle incense granules over the glowing charcoal to produce the incense smoke.
Incense Boat & spoon
The incense is held in an incense boat, which a server holds out to the priest who then using a spoon sprinkles it over the glowing charcoal in the thurible held open by the Thurifer. The priest then cences the altar now holding the Sacrament. The thurifer would then cense the congregation.
Thurifer and incense Boat holder
Incense can be used in different parts of a church service.
