Sanctuary lamp
A
sanctuary lamp is a red light which is hung or displayed in the Churches of those Christian faiths who believe in
Transubstantiation. It is placed, often in a gold or brass candelabrum in or near the vicinity of the
altar, indicating that anyone approaching the altar should genuflect (= bow by bending the knee and inclining the head), to show respect for Christ, who according to the theology behind substantiation, is present in the communion wafers in the
Tabernacle. The belief that Christ is physically and not just symbolically present in the tabernacle is called the
Real Presence.
A sanctuary lamp in a Roman Catholic Church