I am happily walking around my home today as it is in a state of post-house-blessing cleanliness (see previous house blessing posts here and here). With the exception of those times when we have the house on the market and need to have it shown, house blessings are cause for top to bottom sorting, sifting, vacuuming, and polishing unequalled the rest of the year. Wanting to share in the euphoria of a clean, blessed home I thought I'd find a photo to post here. Instead of a nice shot of a priest with holy water at the ready and small children milling about I found the below. For those readers (I suspect most of you) who have had their homes blessed I suspect you'll get a kick out of it. Being unable to help myself, I've added my own commentary.
(o5) - House blessings are a normal part of the whole process of acquiring a new home. For religious people, a house blessing takes on the form of a religious ritual, while for those who are not religious, it is a secular tradition. That makes sense. The original Old English word meaning to consecrate with blood and the Greek and Latin for praise and worship, the secular equivalent is superstition. But regardless of whether it takes on a religious undertone or not, a house blessing is a memorable affair that serves to give the new homeowners a feeling of being showered with good luck and well wishes, and this is the kind of positivity that they are looking for. Or we could be looking for...
... keep safe from harm all those who dwell herein. Vouchsafe them sanctification, purification and health of body, and grant their petitions which are unto salvation and life everlasting ...
A house blessing can be officiated either by a representative of the religion the family follows. It can also be done by a layperson if the family is not going to treat the house blessing as a religious ritual.
Before the blessing make sure that your house is presentable. Clean the house up and make sure that it everything is spotless and in its proper place. If you are planning to host a big event with a lot of guests then you should consider your interiors. Make sure that there is enough of space for people. If this means rearranging some of the furniture then do it. If there are certain things you fear may get compromised, for example an heirloom vase you fear might get accidentally broken – keep it or put it in a place where there won’t be a lot of foot traffic.
You should arrange for the layperson or religious official to be there on the day of your blessing. Set a date and ask if they are available. You can also discuss with them the actual blessing – choosing the prayers you want, for example. I'm sure my priest would love that. Maybe I could write my own. Ask them if they need anything for the ceremony so that you can provide it.
One of the more well known rituals in house blessings is the throwing of coins. If you plan to do this, then make sure you have enough coins for this part of the ceremony. Other popular rituals include the offering of oil, sage and sea salt to protect the home from evil while guests lighting blessed candles. Superstition. Superstition. Superstition.
A house blessing usually turns to a get-together after all of the rituals have been done. Make sure you have prepared refreshments for all of your guests. You can elect to prepare light snacks or drinks for guests, or you can turn it into a full-blown party with a buffet table and catering services. More and more people are opting for the latter because it hits two birds with one stone – taking care of the house blessing part and also the initial party to celebrate having a new home.
Of course, having found that article, I had to keep searching. These are more along the lines of what I was looking for.
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| (uticaod.com) - Father James Guirguis of St. George Orthodox Church at 1104 Brinckerhoff Ave., in Utica, gives a blessing on the Feast of the Epiphany, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, to his house in Clinton. The Epiphany is a Christian holiday when Jesus was baptized. Father Guirguis will give a blessing to his parishioners homes at their request. In the background is Father Guirguis' wife, Jennifer holding their daughter, Lydia, 1. They also have a daughter, Isabelle, 2. |
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| Father Paul Christy of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church blesses the Semos family home in Germantown Tuesday evening. This is the 14th year Father Paul has blessed the Semos home. Earlier this month, the Orthodox church marked Theophany, which celebrates the baptism of Christ and the manifestation of God to man. In the weeks following Theophany, it’s customary to invite the priest over to bless the home. (Photo by Mark Weber) |
Feast of the Theophany Troparion
When You, O Lord were baptized in the Jordan
The worship of the Trinity was made manifest
For the voice of the Father bore witness to You
And called You His beloved Son.
And the Spirit, in the form of a dove,
Confirmed the truthfulness of His word.
O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself
And have enlightened the world, glory to You!
When You, O Lord were baptized in the Jordan
The worship of the Trinity was made manifest
For the voice of the Father bore witness to You
And called You His beloved Son.
And the Spirit, in the form of a dove,
Confirmed the truthfulness of His word.
O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself
And have enlightened the world, glory to You!
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I love this kid!
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