The Icon of Christ: The Dogma of Chalcedon

Christ Pantocrator (Christ The Almighty) St. Sophia Church, Constantinople
Mosaic, 13th Century

The icon of Christ, God-man, is the graphical expression of the Dogma of Chalcedon. The Council of Chalcedon (4th Ecumenical Council in A.D. 451) affirms the two natures of Christ being present in one and the same person. The icon represents the incarnated divine person, the Son of God who became Son of man, consubstantial with the Father through his divinity, consubstantial with us through his humanity. Christ unified these two aspects in his life: "He who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as man" (Phil. 2, 6).           

The foregoing also reveals to us what is often referred to as 'the greatest attribute of God', his Mercy: the Word made himself man in order to die as all men and through his death guide all men back to the Father so as to enable them to participate in his divine life.

Taken from: http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/byz_about_icons_christ.htm 

Orthodox Use of Candles

Here is an excerpt from "These Truths We Hold - The Holy Orthodox Church: Her Life and Teachings" on the the use of candles and their symbolism in Orthodox Worship:

"Orthodox faithful light candles before the Icons as a sign of their faith and hope in God's help that is always sent to all who turn to Him and His Saints with faith and prayers. The candle is also a symbol of our burning and grateful love for God. During the reading of the Twelve Passion Gospel at Holy Friday Matins, the faithful hold candles, re-living our Lord's sufferings and burning with love for Him. It is an ancient custom of Russian Orthodox Christians to take home a lit candle from this Service and to make the Sign of the Cross with it on their doors in remembrance of Our Lord's sufferings and as protection against evil."