Blessing in Orthodox homes

[Anthony]

ქრისტე აღსდგა!

I have often seen and read about Orthodox parents blessing each other, their children and sometimes others (e.g. close family friends). So I was wondering (a) when this it appropriate, and (b) what is the correct way to do it?

(There have been several similar threads in this section, but I can't find the answer to this specific question.)

Many thanks,
Anthony

[Father David Moser]

ქრისტე აღსდგა!

I have often seen and read about Orthodox parents blessing each other, their children and sometimes others (e.g. close family friends). So I was wondering (a) when this it appropriate, and (b) what is the correct way to do it?


a) As a general rule blessings go from senior to junior - thus a child would not normally bless an adult, nor would a layman bless a clergyman. But it is entirely appropriate for the father of a family to bless his wife and children and for a mother to bless her children.

b) Hold your hand as though you were going to cross yourself and then trace the cross on the person to whom you are giving that blessing, as though they were crossing themselves, but with your hand.

Fr David Moser