Blessing of the Waters

The Sanctification of the Waters service (Ἁγιασμός) provides for the healing of body and soul through water that has been blessed, purified, and sanctified by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The parish celebrates the Great Blessing at Theophany each January, and the Lesser Blessing at the beginning of each month, and on any occasion when a home, a workplace, or a vehicle is to be blessed.

At Theophany, the waters of the whole world are sanctified, remembering the moment the Lord descended into the Jordan and opened the heavens. The faithful carry a small bottle of holy water home, to be kept in the icon corner and taken in the mornings, in times of illness or distress, through the year.

In the case of a child adoption there is a special Adoption Blessing Service, in which a prayer is read asking God to bless the union of the parents and their child, binding them together in the life of grace.

To arrange a blessing of your home or place of work, please contact the parish. Father will bring a small bowl, a hand cross, and a sprig of basil, and will walk through each room, quietly reading the prayers for the household.