What are church candles called?

The lighting of candles plays a very significant role in church life. Drawing on several millennia of tradition, using candles in services, masses, memorial services, homes, and holidays takes on many forms. Especially prominent is the use of candles in Orthodox and Catholic churches. Clergy in the Catholic Church utilize the following types of candles:

•       Baptism candles: Family and friends generally hold these candles during baptism services.
•       Confirmation candles: These are held by those sharing in the sacrament of confirmation.
•       Christmas candles: Church leaders use these candles to decorate parishes. Parishioners often use these candles to decorate their homes in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
•       Cemetery or memorial service candles:  Clergy and funeral directors use these candles to decorate chapels and rooms used for memorial services. Sometimes, clergy and funeral service staff place memorial service candles in crypts and mausoleums. 
•       Devotional candles: These candles are often blessed by priests and made available to congregants to light at home (either as an expression of worship and devotion to the Lord or in honor of one who has died).
•       Tapered candles: These long burning candles are generally associated with the advent season. Four white candles encircle advent wreaths—the candles are lit on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. The center candle represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
•       Paschal candles: These candles are large and generally associated with special masses that precede the Easter celebration.
•       Patron Saint Candles: These candles are blessed by priests and made available to devout Catholics who desire to honor particular patron saints (such as Mary, Joseph, Peter, Christopher, and many more). Typically, the Church assigns a saint a specific sphere of influence. For example, Catholics who travel often light a candle and pray to St. Christopher. Catholic officials recognize more than 10,000 saints.
•       Sanctuary Candles: These smaller candles are often placed in colored glass holders and add a sacred ambiance to cathedrals and sanctuaries.
•       Vigil candles: These smaller candles are often held by those attending special services (such as a memorial or prayer service).
•       Seven Day Candles: These candles are designed to burn continuously for seven days and are lit in conjunction with specific prayer requests. Catholics believe the continuous lighting of these candles amplifies their prayers to the Father.
•       Votive candles: Large numbers of these small candles are often found in Catholic parishes on a table or specially built racks placed near statues or stained glass images of patron saints. These candles represent the prayers of brothers and sisters in the faith. 
•       Altar candles: These special candles grace the altar. Some parishes elect to have one candle burning during every mass (symbolizing the presence of the Lord). Other parishes (and most cathedrals) have a seven-stick candleholder on the altar. Unless the Pope is in attendance, during masses, six candles are lit, and the center, tallest candle remains unlit. This represents the promise of Jesus to return to establish His millennial kingdom (Revelation 20).
•       Candlelight service candles: Congregants who celebrate midnight mass or participate in a Christmas Eve service often hold these small thin candles.

What are Church candles used for in churches?

Light reminds people of the divine as, like God, it is beautiful, powerful, and essential. Candles also remind believers that Jesus is the light who came to a darkened world to offer salvation to all who believe.