Blessing homes of Orthodox Christians is done each year. This act is the central sign of God’s sanctification of all things through Christ’s baptism in the river Jordan and His epiphany to the world. The sanctification of the home takes place with prayer and the sprinkling of holy water. The priest, at this annual visit, asks God to have mercy on the house, to rid it of every evil and to fill it with every blessing. Here are a few things you should know about these blessings.
1. Houses are traditionally blessed with “Theophany water” each year. A house can be blessed at any time, but the usual season for yearly blessings is from Theophany until the beginning of the Lenten Triodion, which begins four Sundays before Great Lent begins. This is not a hard and fast rule, but a good rule of thumb.
2. Some people place great importance on “Theophany water”. This is just water that has been blessed with the Great Blessing of the Waters service on Theophany. Another name for this water is simply “Holy Water”. We can bless water any time of the year that there is a need for it. There is generally extra Holy Water available in the parish.
3. Water is blessed using the “Great Blessing of the Waters” service two distinct times during Theophany: after Vespers on the Eve of Theophany and after the Divine Liturgy on Theophany (this second blessing is often done outdoors, see next point). The blessings are identical, and the water is identical.
4. In many places, it is traditional to bless water in lakes or rivers. In Russia, clergy often go to such a place, and bless the cold water after a hole has been cut in the ice. Many people will take a dip in the water after it is blessed.
5. When a home is blessed, the priest brings everything needed for the blessing:
- Holy water
- A “krupilla” (brush for flinging the holy water),
- Candle
The family should provide the priest with a list of all family members, living and deceased.
It is good for candles to be lit in the Icon Corner or the family dinner table.. The house should be tidy, with all radios and televisions off.
The priest will bless all rooms of the house while being “lead” throughout the house by an elder member of the house. Little children may also do this.
6. It should be noted that it is customary for the head of the household to discreetly present the Priest with an envelope containing an honorarium (at the very least enough to cover his costs for visiting the home).
https://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html
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