Blessings of Persons and Things
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Be Holy: Blessings of Persons and Things- by Fr. Anthony Hernandez
"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall he always in my mouth!"
Psalm 33(34):2.
The Celebration of Blessings
Many times throughout the year the Church celebrates blessings of persons and the things they use. Not only are religious objects blessed but also ordinary things that are used in daily life, such as cars, fields, homes, animals, etc. All celebrations of blessing are testimonies to God's love and generosity toward us, His people. Blessings are opportunities for us to give thanks to God for all He has done for us and continues to do for us. The celebration of blessings also express our dependence on God the Almighty and the All-Good One. "In Him we live and move and have our being. " Acts 17:28.
Blessing and Blessings
The term blessing is used in reference to giving praise and thanks to God. In this sense blessings are prayers of gratitude, adoration, and glorification.
The following are examples blessings as acts of praise:- "Bless the Lord, O my soul!" (Ps. 102[103])
- "Blessed is our God, now and ever, and forever!"
- "We praise You, we bless You, we thank You..."
The term blessing is also used to refer to _a prayer asking for God's
mercy and benefits (gifts).
Examples of blessings as petitions for God's favor:- "May God be gracious to us and bless us." (Ps. 66[67]:2)
- "Save Your people,0 Lord, and bless Your inheritance!" (Ps. 27[28]:9)
- "The blessing of the Lord be upon you through His grace and loving-kindness. "
The blessing prayers used by the Church are usually composed of two parts:- A recognition of God as the Source of all good things; or a grateful remembrance of what God has done in the past.
- For example, in the Blessing of Water the priest recounts how God used water at the time of Noah, at the liberation of Israel, at the Jordan, etc.
- For example, in the Blessing of Water the priest recounts how God used water at the time of Noah, at the liberation of Israel, at the Jordan, etc.
- A petition that God would again show His loving-kindness by sanctifying us and the things over which we pray.
- Again, in the Blessing of Water, after telling of how God has used water in His plan for our salvation, we pray that today God's blessing would be upon those who use the blessed water.
- Again, in the Blessing of Water, after telling of how God has used water in His plan for our salvation, we pray that today God's blessing would be upon those who use the blessed water.
All the holy Mysteries are blessings of people. They are the most important blessings because through them we come to share in the life of God Himself, and are made members of the Kingdom.
Through the washing of Baptism, the anointing of Chrismation, and by the reception of the Divine Eucharist, we have been make holy and have been given the blessings of God's life, love and assistance. Even though we receive these three Mysteries, we are still in constant need of God blessings.
In a special way, God gives His blessings through the ministry of priests who pray for His favor upon us. The Church celebrates many blessings for people at important points in their life, such as illness, pregnancy, before traveling, etc. These blessings remind us that God is truly with us, that "Christ is in our midst", in a11 moments of our lives. We benefit most from these blessings when we open our hearts with faith and reverence to God, the Source of all goodness.
Particular Blessings of Persons:
Consecration of Monastics
Some men and women desire to consecrate themselves completely to a special service of God as monastics. Monastics voluntarily embrace celibacy, that free from family and excessive earthly cares, they might dedicate themselves to prayer and personal spiritual progress, and sometimes to active service of others in society.
These men and women present themselves to a monastery or to the bishop (or an eparchial vocation's director),' and express their intention of entering the monastic life. If they are accepted, the monastery or church authorities prescribe a period of preparation in which candidates begin to live a life of simplicity (poverty), celibate-chastity, and obedience to the superior of the community. After their preparation they become monastics through the recognition and blessi_ng of the bishop. The Church prays that the monastics would persevere and grow in their dedication to the Lord.
Funeral Services
The Church prays for the souls of those who have departed from this world. Yet, the funeral services are not only for the souls of the departed, but also for their bodies. 1)1.e body of the Christian is holy, as it was baptized, chrismated, and was nourished with the Eucharist. It is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Even as we pray for the soul of the departed, the Church also shows signs of honor for the body using holy water, incense, etc. All of these ceremonies are signs that we believe that Christ gives eternal life to His faithful ones. On the Last Day He will resurrect the bodies of His faithful people and bring them into the joys of the life of the world to come. "Christ is risen from the dead... and to those in the graves, He granted life!"
Blessings by Priests
In Old Testament times, the Jewish priests offered blessings over the people (See, for example, Numbers 6:24-26). The practice of blessing continues in the era of the New Testament with blessings by priests and bishops. Traditionally, the way one receives a blessing from a priest or bishop is as follows: a person approaches him having placed one hand (right) upon the other (left) with the palms upward, and says: "Father (or Most Reverend Bishop), give [me] your blessing." He will make the sign of the Cross over the person's right palm. After he does this, the one who was blessed kisses the hand of the priest/bishop. (This is a sign of reverence for Christ who is for us the source of all blessing).
"And people were bringing children to Him that He might touch them ... [He] said to them, 'Let the children come to Me . . . for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these . . .' Then He embraced them and blessed them, placing His hands on them." Mark 10:13,14,16.
BLESSING OF THINGS
When God the Son became a man, He took on a true human nature and a body that is made of material elements from the world. By taking on a material or corporeal body, the Son of God gave a new value and ·dignity to material things and to the human body. The Church prays over or blesses many material elements that are used by Christian people. It does this as a sign that by becoming man, Christ, the Son of God, has renewed creation. By blessing things we claim them for the glory of God and for the benefit of His people. St. Paul the Apostle wrote:
"For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to he rejected when received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the invocation of God in prayer." - 1 Timothy 4:4-5.
Particular Blessings of Things:
There are many prayers of blessings for all kinds of things. In the following pages we will look at some of the more outstanding blessings celebrated by the Church.
Blessing of Church Buildings
The church building is blessed in a special ceremony before it is used. as a house of worship. Since the church building is the place of assembly for God's people, it represents the world gathered together in Christ. It is the temple of God. Above all, the church building is a sign of the living Church, the People of God. Just as Christ is truly present in the church building through the Holy Eucharist and the other sacraments, so the Holy Spirit is truly present in the hearts of God's faithful people. Each of us becomes a living temple of God through our Baptism and Chrismation.
Once a church building is blessed it is consecrated or sacred - set apart for the worship of God. Similarly, persons who have been baptized are set apart for God's service. To vandalize a holy place such as a church building is called desecration or sacrilege, a serious offence against God. It is also wrong to disrespect or violate those who are the living temple of God:
The Blessing of the Oil used in Chrismation
On Great and Holy Thursday, the bishop blesses the most sacred oil used by the Church, Holy Chrism. Holy Chrism is made of oil and many aromatic spices. It is used especially in the Mystery of Chrismation. After the blessing of the Chrism by the bishop, bottles of Chrism are then distributed to each parish of the Eparchy.
Blessing of the Oil used for the anointing of Catechumens
One of the ceremonies that precede the baptismal immersion into water is the anointing of various parts of the catechumen' s body. The priest who will administer Baptism usually blesses this holy oil. The anointing of the catechumens takes place after the renunciation of Satan and the commitment to Christ.
Blessing of the Oil used for the anointing of the Sick
The priest blesses the oil used in the Mystery of the Holy Oil for the Anointing of the Sick at the time of the anointing. Oil is a sign of healing and of spiritual gladness.
Blessing of Water
Water is solemnly blessed during the liturgical services of January 6, the Feast of the Theophany (the Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan River). This water is called "Jordan Water", and is used for the various blessings that will occur during the coming year. It is customary for the people to drink a cup of this water for the blessing of soul and body. A smaller service of blessing of water takes place also on the Feast of the Procession of the Holy Cross on August 1st. Blessings of water may take place at other times such as at pilgrimages, etc. It is customary for families to keep bottles of holy water that they might sprinkle it in blessing their homes, the children, pets, etc.
Blessing of Branches
Branches of palms, pussy-willows, or olive branches are blessed on Palm Sunday, also known as Flowery Sunday. When Jesus entered the Holy City of Jerusalem, He was greeted by many of His followers. They waved branches and sang: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!" The branches blessed on Palm Sunday are kept during the year and are placed near holy icons, or crosses. They remind us that Christ is our King and Lord.
Blessing of Food Baskets on the Feast of Pascha (Easter)
On Pascha people bring various foods in baskets to be blessed after the holy services. The priest blesses the paschal-baskets and the people share in the blessing by eating the foods in the feast-day meal. Included in the baskets are foods from which people traditionally abstain during the Great Fast (Lent): meat, eggs, cheese (milk). The various foods represent the good things Christ has gained for us by His glorious Resurrection.
Blessing of Fruit
On the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ, August 6, it is customary for people to bring fruit for blessing, especially grapes or apples. The blessing of fruit is a sign of thanksgiving to God for all His blessings. The fruit also represents our transformation or transfiguration in the life of God Himself.
Blessing of Bread, Wheat, Wine & Oil
On solemn feast days, at the Litija (at the conclusion of Vespers or Compline on special holy days), the priest blesses bread, wheat, wine and oil. We pray for the abundance of things necessary for life. The litija-bread is distributed and eaten by the people during Matins. In many parishes the distribution of this blessed bread is made together with Mirovanije after the Divine Liturgy on greater feast days.
Blessing of Flowers
Flowers are blessed on the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God on August 15. Historically olives were blessed around this time and also medicinal herbs used for summer illnesses. Many see the flowers as a reminder of the flowers that were left in the Mother of God's tomb after she was translated into heavenly glory.
Blessing of Icons & Sacred Images
Whenever one obtains a new icon, sacred image, ·cross, religious medal, etc., it is good to have it brought to the church so that a priest may say a prayer of blessing over it. These objects are blessed so that those who use them with faith and devotion may receive blessings of soul and body.
A traditional manner of blessing the icons is as follows: the priest recites the prayer of blessing of an icon found in the Euchologion, sprinkles it with holy water, anoints it with holy Chrism, and places it upon the Holy Table where it remains throughout the Divine Liturgy.
After the Liturgy, the priest kisses the icon, and hands the icon to its owner
(who also kisses it).
Blessings by Parents
Many parents bless their children daily, or at important times in their life, such as on birthdays or when they are ill, before a wedding, etc. They pray for their children and trace the Sign of the Cross on their foreheads. They may sprinkle holy water around the house, cars, garden, etc. Whenever we pray, we too may ask God to send His blessings upon our family, friends, and others.
O God, be gracious and bless us and let Your face shed its light upon us...The earth has yielded its fruit for God, our God, has blessed us. May God still give us His blessing till the ends of the earth revere Him!" (Psalm 66(67):2,7-8. - "Bless the Lord, O my soul!" (Ps. 102[103])