SPECIAL OCCASIONS

For Newborns

• Blessing service of a new born babe and the mother on the 1st day of birth. (At the hospital)
• Naming service the newly born babe on the 8th day of his/her birth. (At home before sunset).
• Blessing service the baby and the mother on the 40th day at the Church.
• Also, See Baptism

A Mother that gave birth can not enter into a Church if she does nor receive these prayers and also can not receive holy communion except in case of emergency.

Blessing service of the foundations of a house or a building

Consecration Service for a Church.

Consecration Service for a chapel or shrine.

Blessing Service for the gardens, fields and vineyards.

Blessing Service of eggs, cheese, milk and meat on Easter Day.

Blessing Service of the Palms on Palm Sunday.

Blessing Service of the Grapes on Transfiguration Day.

Vasilopita

Doxology Service

• New Year's Day
• National anniversary

March 25th

October 28th - OXI Day

Engagement Service

In the Orthodox tradition, when two people decide to be engaged, they buy their wedding rings to make their engagement announcement, they invite their relatives and friends and also the priest.

At a small table, two candles are lit and the priest blesses the rings by reading some special prayers and gives the rings to the couple and they pass their rings to each other by expressing their feelings to each other. The service is concluded by words of congratulation of the priest.

The engagement service before the wedding is different then this one. The newly engaged couple put the rings on their left hand on this service. At the service prior the wedding the Koumbaros or koumbara puts them in the right hand. Married orthodox people around the world keep their wedding bands, rings on the right hand and not on the left.

Blessing of the Waters (Jan 5th & 6th)

Procession of the Holy Cross on the Day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (9/14)

Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross 3rd Sunday of Lent

Blessing Service of the 5 loaves for health

Blessing of a special cake dedicated to St. Fanourios for thanks giving.