The 33 Jerusalem Candles are highly significant in Orthodox Christian tradition, primarily because:

• Symbolism of Christ's Life: The bundle contains 33 individual candles to symbolize the 33 years of Jesus Christ's earthly life before his Crucifixion and Resurrection.
• The Holy Fire: Authentic candles have been scorched or lit by the Holy Fire (or Holy Light) during the miraculous ceremony that takes place every Holy Saturday (the day before Orthodox Easter/Pascha) in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The Holy Fire is considered a divine miracle, and the candles carry the blessing and grace of this event.
• Purpose: They are used as a testimony of faith, for devout prayer, meditation, and to bring the cleansing, non-burning light of the Divine Fire into a home for blessing, protection, and spiritual connection.

The candles are typically used for devotional and spiritual purposes:

• Lighting the Bundle: You can light the entire bundle of 33 candles together like a torch while saying a fervent prayer for a blessing on your home, family, or a specific request.
• Extinguishing the Flame: After a prayer, it is traditional to extinguish the flame by dousing it with your hand or covering it with a vessel, rather than blowing it out. This is done to symbolically "keep" the Holy Fire's blessing, as pilgrims at the Holy Sepulchre traditionally report that the flame does not burn in the first few moments after it appears.
• Using Individual Candles: You can also light a single candle from the blessed bundle for personal daily prayer or meditation.
• When to Use: The candles can be lit throughout the year, with one notable exception in some traditions: they are generally not lit on Good Friday during Holy Week, out of reverence for the day of Christ's suffering.