Theophany & Houseblessing Season

The twin feasts of Christmas & Epiphany (Theophany) straddle the New Year and together, mark the second-most important season in the life of the Orthodox Church. The Church (or at least those parts of it on the “New Calendar”) marks the Feast of Theophany on January 6. Leading up to the Feast itself, a number of services prepare us to celebrate it. At the same time, the Feast is “extended,” in a way, through the Rite of Housblessing that is often done among Orthodox Christians throughout the whole month of January. What do you need to know about the Houseblessing?

• First, invite the parish priest to come! (see here for online sign-up to invite the priest to bless your home)
• Second, gather your people together (nuclear for sure, but perhaps also extended family and godrelatives)
• Third, arrange a home altar (icon corner) or setting a special table in the dining room with the following items:
  • a Bible or Gospel Book
  • an icon of our Lord
  • a medium sized bowl filled partially with water (to which is added holy water)
  • a beautiful table cloth (often white)
  • a candle that can be carried around the house during the blessing
  • a list of names of living and departed relatives and friends (whom you might regularly pray for)
  •  the placement of this Order for the Theophany House Blessing (if possible)

Here are the services directly tied to the Great Feast of Theophany:

• Fri., Jan. 3, 9am Royal Hours 
• Sat., Jan. 4, 630pm Cathedral Vigil for Theophany Eve
• Sun., Jan. 5, 10am Liturgy for Theophany Eve w/ Indoor Great Blessing of Waters
• Sun., Jan. 5, 630pm Vigil for the Great Feast of Theophany
• Mon., Jan. 6, 9am Liturgy (St. Basil) for the Great Feast of Theophany
• Tues., Jan. 7 11am Slavonic Akathist to the Theotokos (Old Russian Christmas)
• Wed. Jan. 8 630pm Vespers for Afterfeast of Theophany
• Sun., Jan 13, after Liturgy–Great Blessing of the Waters at Hickman Creek @ Veterans Park
  • Directions:  Drive up Nicholasville Road towards Lexington. One stoplight past Brannon Crossing is SouthPoint. Turn right at that stoplight and continue into the neighborhood as the road meanders. Veterans Park will be on the right. (You will see a tank that you can’t miss!) Turn in to the park, and bear left. When you get to a stop sign, go straight into the parking lot. Look for the basketball hoop near the back of the lot and park near there. The 100-yard path to the bridge will be down to your right if you are facing the hoop, which faces the bridge.