Beginning on January 6, the Feast of Theophany, Fr. Theodore and Fr. Timothy will start blessing the homes of the members of our Parish, as well as businesses.
Blessing our homes is an ancient tradition in our Orthodox Church related to the Service of the Great Blessing of the Waters conducted on Theophany. We take the holy water from the Church and we use it to bless our lives in every way possible. The priest blesses us, our homes, our cars, our yards, and by extension all of creation. Not only do we receive a special blessing from God, but through that blessing, God enables us to see His creation in a redeemed way, as a means toward union and communion with Him.
What should you expect in terms of the House Blessing?
Father will offer a short prayer service in front of your home altar and then proceed through the home sprinkling it with holy water, while chanting the Dismissal Hymn of Theophany (provided below).
What should you have ready?
Have your home altar/icon corner ready and accessible. You should have a bowl of water, a bunch of fresh basil tied at the stem for Father to use in sprinkling holy water, a candle, charcoal and incense (if you have an incense burner). If you have already picked up a new holy water bottle at church, please have that handy too. Father will pick up holy water bottles from years past.
- Blessings will begin on Tuesday, January 6, and will continue until they are completed–ideally before the beginning of Great Lent.
- Please do not offer the priests any money. They will not accept it. House blessings are part of our membership in the Church.
- We will make an effort to schedule several house blessings in one area or neighborhood on the same day–so we will contact you when we know what day we will be in each neighborhood. You may also contact the church office if you have questions about scheduling your house blessing.
Dismissal Hymn (Apolytikion) of Theophany (Mode 1)
When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord,
* the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; *
for the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, * calling Thee His beloved Son. *
And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed * the certainty of the word. *
O Christ our God, Who hast appeared
and hast enlightened the world, *
glory be to Thee
