Because of the current Covid surge, I am not going “on the road” this year, but parishioners with special requests can call to arrange a blessing.  In fact, however, house blessing does not require that it be done by a priest.  It is easy enough to do, taking only ten minutes, if that.  What a great way for a family to get together for a brief and inspiring spiritual experience.  Parishioners can help themselves to the recently-blessed Holy Water, which will remain in the vestibule for another week.  

For House Blessings
the following order can be used:

On a clean table, place an icon and a lit candle.  Holy Water can be put into a bowl and sprinkled with an evergreen branch or by hand. 

Begin by saying: 

             In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
             Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Then:

             O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, You are everywhere and fill all things.
             Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and abide in us and cleanse us from every
             impurity and save our souls, O Good One!

             Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us. (3x)

             Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages
             of ages. Amen.

             O most-holy Trinity, have mercy on us! O Lord, cleanse us from our sins!
             O Master, pardon our transgressions!
             O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name’s sake!

             Lord, have mercy. (3x)

             Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and
             unto ages of ages. Amen.

             Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come.
             Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,
             and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
             And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

While sprinkling Holy Water through the home, the Tropar can be sung or said:

When in Jordan, You were baptized, O Lord,
the worship of the Trinity was made manifest,
for the voice of the Father bore witness to You,
calling You His beloved Son,
and the Spirit in the form of a dove,
confirming the truthfulness of His word.
O Christ, our God, having revealed Yourself,
And having enlightened the world, glory to You!

After the blessing of the house, the following prayer may be said:

       O Lord, God, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who was baptized in the Jordan by John, and who entered the home of Zacchaeus bringing salvation to his habitation, do You, O Lord, bless this home, keep safe from harm all those who live here (names can be inserted), and also (names) who are absent.  Fulfill their good desires, grant them Your blessings of bodily and spiritual well-being, protection from visible and invisible dangers, and all their petitions which are unto salvation and life eternal.  For You are Our God, and to You we ascribe glory and honor, with Your Father, who is without beginning and the Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.  Amen.