Sacral Light Monetization: Political Economy of Church Light from Peter I till the “Wax Hunger” of the First World War

Abstract

In the article the author analyzes the process of the formation of the external state monopoly of the candle trade I Russia against the background of the description of the sacral light place in the church liturgical space and eastern Christian mysticism. The author describes the so-called “church-light” operation based on the lending rate and meant to secure stable modernization process in Russia through spiritual educational institutions. Ht claims that candle standardization destroyed the personalistic aspect of the church symbolism and the divine service interpretation by the believers. The author shows how the external state monopoly of the candle trade lead, through the system of candle factories foundation, to the economic dependence of Russian Orthodox Church on international monopoly. The article also deals with the restoration of the church liturgical space usefulness in the time of the “wax crisis” during the First World War through the organization of public singing after service.