House Blessing Time

[Akathist]

I plan on getting my house blessing during the last part of the week of Feb 17th as I want to combine it with a little birthday dinner with some church friends.

So, it is winter cleaning time!

This week I am heavy duty cleaning my kitchen. Then it is one room per week.

Anyone else having house blessings coming up? Do you have a gathering of friends for it?

 

[Nichole]

Our apartment blessing is January 19th. No friends over or dinner, etc. Just the priest doing the blessing! It is a very beautiful event though!

 

[AureateDawn]

I should have signed up for a house blessing.

I can just imagine my mom watching TV in her pajamas when a random priest comes in and starts throwing water everywhere! She would be so angry! And God forbid some holy water touched my mother! Her skin would start burning and she would let out blood-curdling screams.

Sorry. I'll behave now.

 

[SeekingTheLight]

We are having our house blessed on the 16th. Is there anything I should know to do before the Priest comes over? Since we've obviously never done his before, I don't know if there's anything we need to do to get ready. Also, should we invite him to have a meal with us or something?

 

[Akathist]

We are having our house blessed on the 16th. Is there anything I should know to do before the Priest comes over? Since we've obviously never done his before, I don't know if there's anything we need to do to get ready. Also, should we invite him to have a meal with us or something?

There are different traditions but here is what I do:

My prayer corner is in my living room so we gather there. I get a decent size cereal bowl and put it on the top of the book case next to my incense and a candle that I know will light easily. I make sure to put my holy water there.

Then just to protect the top of my book case, I put out a white dish cloth under the bowl with enough room Fr. can set the hyssop branch next to it.

Then just after they arrive, I turn my phone off (cuz it is such a pain to have it ring right in the middle of everything.)

Then I make sure the house is neat and clean.

Most of the time I have had it just with Fr. and me. But last year I invited a couple people over. It was nice to have a reason to have my church friends in my home.

I want to do this again but have not invited anyone just yet.

 

[SeekingTheLight]

thanks Akathist! However, we don't have any kind of Prayer/Icon corner yet. We actually just purchased our very first Icons and took them to Vespers Saturday so Fr. Chris could place them on the altar. Should I set up a small table in my "future" Icon corner anyway? Maybe place a bowl and candle there?

 

[Philothei]

oh yeah it is that time of the Year.... again!!!

We are busy this time of year... with other people's home blessings... and sometimes hubby leaves our home the last...


You only need a bowl (cereal or clear glass the better) an icon and a candle (do not put candle in the bowl...).. some insence would be nice but not necessary.... also a paper icon will do too. ...
A really nice touch is to have fresh basil.. wraped in aluminium foil for sprinkling... if you can find it fresh.. (otherwise the priest usually carries it with him)
and.... clear the way so that the priest can go around to bless the home... some people block staircases etc... and makes it difficult for the priest to go aroud and bless the home.

(Talking from a priest's wife perspective... do not ask them to come too late in the evening... they have families too.... ...Especially if they have a big parish...)


God bless,
Philothei

 

[Lukaris]

Usually have some humus, pita bread, tabuli, & spinach pie (kibbee can be good too). For drink tea, coffee, wine & spring water.In our parish most also provide a small contribution (if affordable) in an envelope before the father leaves. Visitation time can vary (usually about an hour). Of course, as far as food, I am only speaking from a middle eastern menu perspective. This is still somewhat new to me & it feels right to have a newly cleaned dwelling doused with holy water.

 

[Philothei]

The contribution part always IMO is not necessary... Instead you could give some contribution to the Church... then again if your priest is on the low salary scale I can see the purpsose...not a big deal really.

I liked the idea of the food...although not all EO practice blessing of the food....I think that is what Lukaris you are talking about ... but could be wrong.


Philothei

 

[Lukaris]

The contribution part always IMO is not necessary... Instead you could give some contribution to the Church... then again if your priest is on the low salary scale I can see the purpsose...not a big deal really.

I liked the idea of the food...although not all EO practice blessing of the food....I think that is what Lukaris you are talking about ... but could be wrong.


Philothei

Yes, (re the food) forgive me for gaps in my posting. Although I am new to Orthodoxy (>3yrs), I am mentioning some old world traditions of my Syrian ancestors who were Orthodox & are still practiced inthe Antiochian tradition of the house blessing. Of course, I figured customs vary between the Orthodox churches & was only presenting a small slice of life. May all of your homes be truly blessed. Blessed Theophany (new calendar) blessed Nativity (old calendar).

 

[SeekingTheLight]

oh yeah it is that time of the Year.... again!!!

We are busy this time of year... with other people's home blessings... and sometimes hubby leaves our home the last...


You only need a bowl (cereal or clear glass the better) an icon and a candle (do not put candle in the bowl...).. some insence would be nice but not necessary.... also a paper icon will do too. ...
A really nice touch is to have fresh basil.. wraped in aluminium foil for sprinkling... if you can find it fresh.. (otherwise the priest usually carries it with him)
and.... clear the way so that the priest can go around to bless the home... some people block staircases etc... and makes it difficult for the priest to go aroud and bless the home.

(Talking from a priest's wife perspective... do not ask them to come too late in the evening... they have families too.... ...Especially if they have a big parish...)


God bless,
Philothei

thank you! Actually, I forgot that my husband has two teeny tiny icons somewhere. I will find them and set them out. I will also have the bowl and candle on there.