What is the blessing of a home all about?
Each year, just after the Feast of Theophany, the homes of all the Orthodox faithful are rededicated by the priest, in a short liturgical service called the ‘blessing of the home’. The priest visits the house and asks God to have mercy on the house, to rid it of every evil and to fill it with every blessing.
The family is considered in Orthodox Faith as a ‘small church’. It is an extension and reflection of the church, it’s faith and tradition. The blessings of the home helps establish and maintain the spiritual connection between the church/parish and its’ families/parishioners.
When is the blessings of the home usually done?
The usual season for yearly blessings is the 3 -4 weeks after Theophany.
It reminds us of not only our baptisms, but also of the need of baptizing the world in which we live, including what we might call “my world” – ‘my personal space.’
How is the blessing of the homes done?
•The blessing of the home takes place with prayer and the sprinkling of holy water.
•Holy Water is the water that has been blessed during the liturgical service of the Theophany. This water is taken home by the faithful and used for the blessing of the home by the priest.
What are the various things done during the blessing of the homes?
We set the prayer altar at home - with a bowl of holy water, lit candles, cross, Bible and icons. The priest will read Bible portions.
Everyone of the house, prays together for the living and the dead of the family, and all who live and have lived in the house.
Singing songs of salvation, they then go from room to room while the priest blesses the house.
Blessing of the Doors: The priest marks the door of the house with the sign of the Cross.
A family member can lead the priest from room to room.
As he goes, he sprinkles holy water, and prays for a blessing upon each room and the activity that goes on there.
When they have gone through the entire house, the family gathers again around the table and the priest blesses each person present, by sprinkling the Holy Water on them.
This dedication need not be limited to the house. For an Orthodox Christian his daily work and all his efforts as well; also fields, animals, clothing and all objects which are used in our daily lives for the good of man.
Therefore, in this the Church expresses its faith that the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying action extends over the whole Creation.
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