What Is an Incense Censer?

An incense censer is a container designed to hold and burn incense. It can vary widely in size and shape depending on its context of use and the product to be consumed, but may also feature complex metalwork or finely carved ornamentation. Incense has long had a spiritual connotation and burning incense is often associated with prayer and meditation. For these reasons, a range of designs and styles of incense burners are available to suit different purposes, from simple clay bowls to intricately carved pieces with religious themes.

The thurible is the traditional incense burner for the Christian church. It is carried in procession by a senior altar server, the thurifer (Greek: , katsi), and typically contains bells to add to its musicality. The thurible is presented to the priest or deacon before every censing, after which it is blessed with the Sign of the Cross and gently swung during censing in order to spread the scented smoke.

It is used much more frequently in the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Rite Catholic churches. It is swung during every vespers and matins service, the Divine Liturgy (Eucharist), funeral services and memorial services (Panikhida) as well as a variety of other occasional offices. If a deacon is present, he will typically do the majority of the censing. Otherwise the priest will perform the censing. The priest or deacon will also carry a candle in his hand during censing to symbolize Christ’s Passion and death.

A katsi can be made from a variety of materials, including clay, wood and metal. Its shape can be either round or ovoid. Its base can be a bowl or a flat plate, and it may be pierced to allow incense sticks to rest inside. A katsi is usually fitted with a lid and handle, which are normally joined by a hinge. It can be decorated with bands of Arabic calligraphy or a more elegant pattern.

Alternatively, a katsi can be a hollow, oblong or rectangular piece of metal with an open-work geometric design. This type of katsi is usually suitable for burning incense sticks and powder.

There are also a variety of incense burners that are designed for direct-burning incense, which are composed of aromatic ingredients that do not need to be formed into any particular form or burned directly. These kinds of katsi are usually smaller and more compact than traditional censers, and they can be adapted to a variety of incense types by inserting a special burner for the type of incense being used.

It is important to choose a model of incense burner that allows quality combustion for the type of incense being used, as this will ensure a good, even and long-lasting flame. It is also important to choose a burner that has an ashtray function that can be used for the disposal of ashes from the incense being consumed. The ashtray should be large enough to avoid overfilling it and creating a fire hazard.