Mothers & Newborns
The Church’s tender prayers for mother and child in the days after birth.
On the day of the birth of a child, a short prayer is read at the hospital or at the home. This First Day Blessing consists of prayers for the recovery, protection and well-being of the mother and the new-born baby. It is a small, quiet beginning — the Church slipping in among the visitors and the flowers to whisper a welcome.
On the eighth day, the baby receives his or her name, just as our Lord received the name Jesus on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). This prayer is read in the narthex (entrance) of the Church, where the baby is brought by either the father or the grandmother, since the mother traditionally remains at home with the child for the forty days.
In accordance with the Old Testament tradition observed by the Virgin Mary herself (Luke 2:22–24), forty days after birth the mother comes together with her child to the Church for the very first time. The Forty Day Blessing, also known as the Churching of Mother and Child, consists of prayers for the physical and spiritual strengthening of both. The priest receives them at the door, carries the child forward into the nave, and — if the child has already been baptised — brings the infant before the icon of Christ and into the sanctuary.
In the past it was believed that mother and baby must not leave the house within the first forty days because it would bring bad luck. This is purely a superstition. The forty days should be used for physical rest, recuperation, and bonding with your child — a gift of quiet that the Church gladly protects.
To arrange any of these blessings, please contact the parish as soon as possible after the birth of your child, so that Father may come to you at home or receive you at the Church door with joy.
FORTY DAY BLESSING : Prayers for mother and child
In accordance with Old Testament tradition, which was observed by the Virgin Mary (Luke 2:22-24), forty days after birth, the mother comes together with her child to the Church for the very first time.
In the past it was believed that the mother and baby were prohibited to leave the house within the first forty days because it would bring bad luck. This is purely a superstition. This period should be used as physical rest, recuperation and bonding with your child.
The Forty Day Blessing, also known as the Churching of Mother and Child, consists of prayers for the physical and spiritual strengthening of both the mother and the child.
Both mother and child present themselves to the priest in the narthex of the Church (entrance) where these prayers are offered. The child is then carried by the priest into the nave and up to the altar. The mother proceeds to the Iconostasis to venerate the Icon of the Virgin Mary, where she will be presented with her child. At that church, the child becomes a member of the church.
Contact us to make arrangements for the Forty Day Blessing at least 3 days beforehand. BLESSING AFTER MISCARRIAGE
In the event of this happening, the mother should come to the Church forty days after the miscarriage has taken place so that the priest may read a prayer for her recovery, protection and well-being along with the prescribed Forty Day Blessing.
If you would like to make arrangements for this prayer and Blessing Service, please contact us.