Dikiri and trikiri are liturgical candlesticks, often quite ornate [1], used by a bishop of the Eastern Orthodox Church to bless the congregation. The bishop holds the dikiri in his right hand and the trikiri in his left and makes the sign of the cross with both [2].

Both dikiri and trikiri have a flat base, so that they may be stood upright. Above this base is a vertical shaft terminating in candleholders. The dikiri holds two candles, representing the dual nature of Jesus, and the trikiri holds three, representing the three persons of the Holy Trinity.

During a hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the dikiri and trikiri are kept respectively on the northeast and southeast corners of the Altar or on stands placed next to these corners. When they are needed by the bishop, they are carried to him by subdeacons, who may also carry them during the Great Entrance. One of them may be carried by the deacon during the censing by the bishop [3] or by one of the subdeacons during the censing by the deacon.

See also

• Votive candle
• Paschal candle