What is the significance of ...?

[J. K. Amra]

A friend visited my family from Russia, and despite her very little knowledge of, and interest in Orthodoxy, she has blessed oil from an icon of the Theotokos on Mount Athos (despite her lack of knowledge of what Mount Athos is), which was stored for a time in Valaam Monastery in Russia. She gave this to me as a gift, noticing my interest in Orthodoxy, and said that it is meant to be, before you go to bed, put in a form of a cross on your heart, every day, for a total of 40 days, after you've confessed and partook in the Eucharist.

What is the significance of putting it over your heart, before going to bed after prayer, for 40 days after taking Communion?

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

A friend visited my family from Russia, and despite her very little knowledge of, and interest in Orthodoxy, she has blessed oil from an icon of the Theotokos on Mount Athos (despite her lack of knowledge of what Mount Athos is), which was stored for a time in Valaam Monastery in Russia. She gave this to me as a gift, noticing my interest in Orthodoxy, and said that it is meant to be, before you go to bed, put in a form of a cross on your heart, every day, for a total of 40 days, after you've confessed and partook in the Eucharist.

What is the significance of putting it over your heart, before going to bed after prayer, for 40 days after taking Communion?

Normally with such oil we anoint ourselves on the forehead in the form of the cross. Often bishops or priests also anoint the faithful with such oil in the church or at home using a small brush. This often accords with a special occasion connected to the significance of the oil itself. But otherwise such anointing can occur daily in times of need.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[J. K. Amra]

Normally with such oil we anoint ourselves on the forehead in the form of the cross. Often bishops or priests also anoint the faithful with such oil in the church or at home using a small brush. This often accords with a special occasion connected to the significance of the oil itself. But otherwise such anointing can occur daily in times of need.


Thank you!