A LITURGY FOR THE BLESSING OF THE DOMESTIC TEMPLE BY THE FATHER OF THE HOME

A Western Orthodox Family Blessing Their Home with the Blessed Chalk and Holy Water Given to Them by Their Priest (Dal-E)  

HOME LITURGY ACCORDING TO THE USE OF 

THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF THE WEST

Gathering and Preparation

Begin at the front door of the home. Have the following ready: 

A piece of blessed chalk (blessed by the priest or bishop for blessing and exorcism) 

Holy water (from the parish “Great Blessing of the Waters”). 

Opening Prayer

Father of the Home: Peace be to our house and to all who dwell here, and may the light of Christ, who was made manifest to the nations, fill our hearts and our home. 

Mother and Children: Amen. 

Reading of Scripture

Father of the Home: Let us hear the words of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. 

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him. … And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

(Matthew 2:1–2, 11) 

Father of the Home: The Word of the Lord. 

Mother and Children: Thanks be to God. 

Blessing with the Holy Chalk

Father of the Home: Our help is in the Name of the Lord. 

Mother and Children: Who hath made heaven and earth. 

Father of the Home: We receive, O Lord, the blessing of this chalk, that it may be a sign of Thy power, holiness and blessing upon our home. May all who pass through this door come to know Thy light and peace, the Gospel of Christ, and the holiness of Thy Church, and may all who dwell with us reflect Thy love and truth, through Christ our Lord. 

Mother and Children: Amen. 

Chalking of the Door

Using the chalk, the Father of the Home writes the following over the door or on the doorframe: 

20 ✝ C ✝ M ✝ B ✝ 25

As the letters and symbols are written, he says: 

Father of the Home: The "20" and "25" mark the year of Our Lord, and the letters "C," "M," and "B" stand for the names of the Magi—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar—as well as the Latin phrase “Christus Mansionem Benedicat”, meaning, “May Christ bless this house.” 

Prayer of Blessing

Father of the Home:

Let us pray - 

O God of light and love, who didst reveal Thyself to the nations through the guidance of a star, bless this home and all who dwell within. May it be a place of welcome, warmth, and peace, and may Christ, the Light of the world, dwell with us and guide us in the ways of holiness and truth. We ask this through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Mother and Children: Amen. 

Sprinkling with Holy Water

The Father of the Home sprinkles the door and the rooms of the house while saying: 

Father of the Home:

May this home of mine be given over to the praise and glory of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed and Consubstantial Trinity! May it be cleansed and sanctified, and may the blessing of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost rest upon us always. 

Mother and Children: Amen. 

Closing Prayer 

Father of the Home: The peace of the Lord be always with you. 

Mother and Children: And with thy spirit. 

Final Collect: 

Let us pray - 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who by the leading of a star didst manifest Thyself to the Wise Men and enter into the house where they worshipped Thee with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh: vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to bless this home and all who dwell therein. As we mark these doors with the sign of Thy blessing, grant that we may ever open our hearts to Thee, abide in Thy peace, and show forth Thy love to all who enter here; who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, ever one God, world without end. 

Mother and Children: Amen. 

End with a hymn or song, such as “We Three Kings” or “As With Gladness Men of Old,” if desired.