What is a blessing
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). And today the “good word” gives people God’s mercy and grace. This happens in blessing. Christians call on God's blessing in their works and ask the priest for it. From the lips of an Orthodox person one often hears wishes for good things for his family. And also a prayer for the blessing of children.
Parents and child
The word “blessing” has several meanings.
First of all, this is God’s sending down to man of special gifts and grace, His mercy and bounty. Christians resort to the Lord with prayer for the blessing of important undertakings and responsible matters.
“It is very pleasing to God that what is done with blessing, therefore you and I will live in such a way that every step we take will be blessed” (Reverend Anthony of Optina (Putilov).
The blessing is given by priests who, through the Sacrament of Priesthood, receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to perform pastoral service. They are asked for blessings on important life events, believing that grace is given by Christ Himself. At every service, the priest, with the sign of the cross, invokes Divine grace and blessing on all those present.
“A great thing is the archpastoral blessing. The bishop himself may be a sinner, like all people, but his blessing and prayers can and do have great power” (Reverend Barsanuphius of Optina (Plikhankov).
The Lord always pours out His mercies on the person who comes running to Him with faith and love. Therefore, a Christian should always thank God and praise him. This is also called a blessing in Orthodoxy.
“A good deed is to bless God, exalt His name and reverently preach about the works of God; and you are not lazy in glorifying Him” (Tov.12:6).
The blessing of parents plays a huge role. In prayer they call on God's help and mercy for their children. Let us take a closer look at what kind of prayer for blessing children exists in Orthodoxy and how to bless children.
Types of Blessings
- A blessing is a talisman, a protection, a cover that protects one’s children from misfortune and misfortune. A dome under which there is a desire to create greenhouse conditions. This definition at its root carries the idea that the world is unsafe, that there is negativity, evil, misfortunes from which you want to protect and protect your children. There is also a sense of mistrust in it. They do not believe that an older daughter/son is able to choose what is best for herself or cope with the consequences of her choice.
- Blessing is Trust in yourself, the world, life, child. This is respect and faith in your children and their abilities. This is acceptance of your child and his choice. And it doesn’t matter at all what he chooses, work, lifestyle, life partner or attitude towards you. This is the knowledge that no matter what happens, this is the best for him and for you.
- Blessing is Goodness. This is the Joy of being able to convey Inspiration for Life to your child. This is a parting word for a big life. This message is: “I had a good time with you. I know you are strong. I know the world is wonderful. I am glad that we lived through this period of life together. I was glad to be a mediator between the Source and you. Now this is not necessary, you have grown up and know about your Power yourself. And not only do you know, but you also know how and use it. Be inspired to live your best life and be the Creator of your Joy. Live! Create! Enjoy!
Whatever it is, in any form, Blessing is the best thing a parent can pass on to their child.
A mother's blessing is the most powerful amulet for a child. This invisible energy protection stays with a person throughout his life. She is always with him, and even when his mother is far away or no longer alive. By creating a kind of protective capsule, maternal blessing protects against troubles, failures, the evil eye or curses. From it a person can draw strength, inspiration and well-being.
Blessing children is a parental duty
The Lord endowed parents with amazing creative power. At the birth of a new person into the world, they act as co-creators of God Himself. At the same time, the father and mother bear a huge responsibility for the newborn.
“Neglect of children is the greatest of all sins; it leads to extreme wickedness. Even if our whole life was prosperous, we will be subjected to severe punishment if we do not care about the salvation of our children” (St. John Chrysostom).
Every action, look, every parental word is a cut that sharpens the soul, giving it the “correct” Christian form. The main tool for educating Orthodox parents should be prayer for the blessing of children.
“Prayer asks for God’s help, attracts God’s blessing... A person will call for a blessing, and it will come to him...” (Reverend Nikon of Optina (Belyaev).
A sincere prayer of blessing helps parents entrust their children to God. That is, to trust His Divine Providence, to ask for strength and help in the proper upbringing of a child.
“Parental blessing creates children’s homes” (Archimandrite John Krestyankin).
Christ Himself points out the necessity and special importance of blessing children. When the disciples wanted to remove the children brought to the Teacher, Jesus Christ said:
“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).
After this He laid His hands on them and blessed them. The “Blessing of the Children” icon is dedicated to this evangelical event. A prayer for the blessing of children sounds before her; parents ask to protect their children from temptations.
“The greatest treasure on earth for people living in the world is parental blessing. Just as in monastic life the greatest blessing is the one with which your elder blessed you. That’s why they say: “Don’t miss your parental blessing” (Reverend Paisius the Svyatogorets).
Prayer to the Martyr Sophia
Do you want your children to be pious and love the Lord? Ask the martyr Sophia for help.
This saint is known for instilling love for Christ and ardent faith in him in her three daughters - Faith, Hope and Love. The little girls, the eldest of whom was barely 12 years old, chose cruel torture and death, but did not renounce Christ when they were tortured and tormented. How much mental strength must children have to withstand torture? And how did their mother feel, looking at the suffering of her children?
She, being a pious mother and having managed to raise her daughters in piety, will help those who sincerely ask for their children.
Oh, long-suffering and wise Great Martyr Sophia of Christ! You stand with your soul in heaven at the Throne of the Lord, and on earth, by the grace given to you, you perform various healings: look mercifully at the people who are present and those praying before your relics, asking for your help: extend your holy prayers to the Lord for us, and ask us for forgiveness our sins, healing for the sick, quick help for the grieving and needy: pray to the Lord to give us all a Christian death and a good answer at His Last Judgment, so that we may be worthy to glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit with you forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer for the blessing of children
Parental blessing plays a huge role in the lives of children. Its importance is emphasized in the Old Testament. The blessing of the Old Testament patriarchs Noah and Isaac still affects their descendants today.
One should not think that prayers for the blessing of children are offered only at important moments in life, for example, when getting married.
Of course, in such a fateful decision, the child needs the approval of his parents. In such cases, according to tradition, the newlyweds are overshadowed with icons: the groom - with the image of Christ the Savior, the bride - with the face of the Virgin Mary. Often these icons become family shrines and are passed on from generation to generation.
“By presenting icons, parents express the lofty thought that now that the time of raising children is over for them, they with faith and hope entrust them to the all-powerful intercession of the Lord and Mother of God” (priest Afanasy Gumerov).
However, parents do not need icons for blessing. A short prayer for the blessing of children with the sign of the cross also calls on God's grace. Orthodox doctor A.N. Novikov puts it this way:
“Parents do great good for their child, calling upon him God’s blessing. A child leaves the house - let’s bless him: “Lord, bless!”, or “God bless”, or “Guardian Angel, good luck!”.
Every day, in any significant situations, a parent must ask for God’s grace for his Child.
Parental blessing is like a lens. It transmits rays of Divine Light and is capable of igniting the fire of love and piety in the soul of a child.
However, for this to happen, the lens of the parent’s heart must not be clouded by sin and passions. Therefore, father and mother should set an example of a pure, godly life for their children. They must teach by participating in the Sacraments and keeping God's commandments.
Saint Philaret of Moscow (Drozdov) spoke about this this way:
“Parents should bless their children with a loving heart and try to increase the power of their natural blessing, attracting the power of grace through piety and faith.”
Prayer to Paraskeva Friday
People turn to the holy martyr when their backs begin to hurt. What is Paraskeva known for?
She was born into a family of rich and pious people. They had the fear of God and especially revered Friday. On this day the Savior was crucified. So they named their daughter Paraskeva (from Greek - Friday).
The girl was orphaned early. She, like her parents, was pious. The fortune received from them was spent on helping and feeding the poor. In addition, Paraskeva was distinguished by her extraordinary beauty. But she didn’t even look in the direction of the young people, being overwhelmed by the love of God.
The wicked pagan emperor found out about this. At his command, they mocked the saint for a long time, forcing her to renounce Christ. But the tormentors achieved nothing. And then the angry emperor ordered the girl’s head to be cut off. Thus the martyr died, having won a crown of glory.
Oh, holy and blessed martyr of Christ Paraskeva, maiden beauty, praise of the martyrs, purity of image, magnanimous mirrors, wonder of the wise, guardian of the Christian faith, idolatry flattery to the accuser, champion of the Divine Gospel, zealot of the Lord’s commandments, vouchsafed to come to the haven of eternal rest and in the chamber of the Bridegroom your Christ God, brightly rejoicing, adorned with the extreme crown of virginity and martyrdom! We pray to you, holy martyr, to be sorrowful for us to Christ God, whose most blessed sight will always rejoice. Pray to the All-Merciful One, Who opened the eyes of the blind with His word, that He may deliver us from the illness of our hair, both physical and mental; with your holy prayers, kindle the dark darkness that has come from our sins, ask the Father of Light for the light of grace for our souls and bodies; Enlighten us, darkened by sins, with the light of God’s grace, so that for the sake of your holy prayers sweet vision will be given to the dishonest. Oh, great servant of God! Oh, most courageous virgin! Oh, strong martyr Saint Paraskeva! With your holy prayers, be a helper to us sinners, intercede and pray for the damned and extremely negligent sinners, hasten to help us, for we are extremely weak. Pray to the Lord, pure maiden, pray to the Merciful, holy martyr, pray to your Bridegroom, immaculate bride of Christ, so that by your prayers, having escaped the darkness of sin, in the light of the true faith and divine deeds we will enter into the eternal light of the never-evening day, into the city of everlasting joy, in now you shine brightly with glory and endless joy, glorifying and singing with all the heavenly powers the Trisagion of the One Divinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
A short prayer for the blessing of children
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, bless, sanctify, preserve with the power of your life-giving Cross. (And put the sign of the cross on the child).
Morning prayer for the blessing of children
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, pray for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, hear me, Your unworthy servant (name). Lord, in Your merciful power, my children (names), have mercy and save them, for Your name’s sake. Lord, forgive them all the sins, voluntary and involuntary, that they committed before You. Lord, guide them on the true path of Your commandments and enlighten their minds with Your light, for the salvation of the soul and the healing of the body.
Lord, bless them in every place of Your dominion. Lord, save them by the power of Your Honest and Life-giving Cross, under Your holy roof, from a flying bullet, arrow, sword, fire, from a deadly wound, water drowning and vain death. Lord, protect them from all visible and invisible enemies, from all misfortune, evil, misfortune, betrayal and captivity. Lord, heal them from every illness and wound, from every filth, and ease their mental suffering. Lord, grant them the grace of Your Holy Spirit for many years of life, health and chastity in all piety and love, in peace and unanimity with the rulers around them, those near and far.
Lord, increase and strengthen their mental abilities and physical strength, return them healthy and safe to their parents’ home. All-merciful Lord, grant to me, your unworthy and sinful servant (name), a parental blessing on my children (names) at this time of the morning (day, evening, night), for the kingdom is yours - eternal, omnipotent and omnipotent. Amen.
Prayer to Nicholas the Pleasant
One of the favorite saints of the Russian people. To whom do we run with all our troubles and adversity? Who do we ask for help? Of course, from St. Nicholas, the World of Lycian Wonderworker.
Well, let's pray to him that our daughters get married being chaste, and that they get loving and kind husbands:
Oh, all-holy Nicholas, exceedingly saintly servant of the Lord, our warm intercessor and quick helper everywhere in sorrow! Help me, the sinful and sad person in this life, beg the Lord God to grant me forgiveness of all my sins, which I have sinned greatly from my youth, throughout my life, in deed, word, thought and all my feelings; and at the end of my soul, help me, the accursed one, beg the Lord God, the Creator of all creation, to deliver me from airy ordeals and eternal torment: may I always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for the children and godchildren of Archimandrite John (Krestyankin)
Sweetest Jesus! God of my heart! You gave me children according to the flesh, they are Yours according to your soul. You redeemed both my soul and theirs with Your priceless Blood. For the sake of Your Divine Blood, I beg You, my sweetest Savior, with Your grace touch the hearts of my children (names) and my godchildren (names), protect them with Your Divine fear, keep them from bad inclinations and habits, direct them to the bright path of life, truth and of good. Decorate their lives with everything good and saving, arrange their fate as You yourself want and save their souls with their own destinies! Lord, God of our fathers! Give to my children (names) and godchildren (names) a right heart to keep Your commandments, Your revelations and Your statutes. And do it all! Amen.
A little-known prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
(From the convent in Shuya, Ivanovo region)
O Most Holy Lady Virgin Theotokos, save and preserve under Your shelter my children (names), all youths, young women and infants, baptized and nameless and carried in their mother’s womb. Cover them with the robe of Your motherhood, keep them in the fear of God and in obedience to their parents, pray to my Lord and Your Son to grant them what is useful for their salvation. I entrust them to Your maternal supervision, for You are the Divine Protection of Your servants.
Mother of God, introduce me to the image of Your heavenly motherhood. Heal the mental and physical wounds of my children (names) caused by my sins. I entrust my child entirely to my Lord Jesus Christ and Your, Most Pure, heavenly protection. Amen.
How to Bless your child?
If you think that the Blessing is just a ritual, and you can limit yourself to a one-time wish for the Good, goodness for your child, yes, you can. You will do well for both yourself and your child. But one ritual does not reveal the full potential of the Blessing.
You will bring much greater benefit, more good into your child’s life with your ability to live in joy yourself, and without the participation of your child; with your respect, recognition of his right to his life and his choice, acceptance and sincerity.
If all this is in your relationship, you are already Blessing him for happiness.
What exactly should I do?
The mother gives a blessing to the child when he turns eight years old. From eight to fourteen years of age, the blessing is given orally - “eye to eye.” A blessing is like a first communion, so prepare it like a celebration. You can buy a gift, decorate the table. Explain to the child before the Blessing that it returns the energy of life to him and, knowing how to take responsibility, he will be able to fulfill his destiny. During the blessing, the child receives the protection of the Mother of God, and all difficulties will bypass him.
If a mother decides to bless her child, then she must prepare for this.
1. First you need to read “A mother’s prayer for her child” (for the text of the prayer, see Appendix 3), then think through the wishes for your child.
2. Formulate your wishes in such a way as not to limit the child’s capabilities and not to build his life according to your plan, because you are an ordinary person and you can make mistakes! Please don't wish for anything specific.
Wishes that preserve freedom of choice can be as follows : • I wish you to rejoice in your successes and the successes of others; • I wish you to live in happiness and joy, and have harmonious relationships with other people; • I wish you to receive satisfaction and prosperity by engaging in your creative self-expression; • I wish you to love and be loved; • I wish you to have a source of strength, beauty and harmony in your heart and mind; • I wish you to be confident in yourself; • I wish you to have enough time, energy and wisdom; • I wish you to be able to successfully get to the right time and place; • I wish you to be generous (generous), accepting it entirely and with joy; • I wish you to accept yourself as (as) you are; • I wish you everything that God wishes for you, etc.
3. Think carefully about what you would like to wish for your child and remember these wishes . At the moment of Blessing, they don’t read anything from a piece of paper!
The Blessing procedure is a sacrament, so your communication with your child should take place without prying eyes. You can celebrate with family and friends, but the Blessing process itself must take place in a separate room.
4. Standing in front of the child and looking into his eyes, the Mother says: I give you son (daughter)_______ (name) my maternal Blessing for life, abundance and prosperity, and I wish you... (here say everything that your soul wishes for him ).
5. After the Blessing is given, you need to read the Blessing Prayer for seven days, preferably in the morning and evening (for the text of the prayer, see Appendix 2). This prayer will help the mother let her child go. This condition is very unusual for the mother, and sometimes even causes, for a while, slight malaise.
How to receive a maternal blessing as an adult
If you definitely want to receive a Blessing from your mother personally, then you will have to express to her face all the good and all the bad that you have accumulated over many years. And then she, in a “good” mood, should give you the Blessing. There is a more accessible way to solve this problem - just write a letter and burn it. And it doesn’t matter whether she is alive or dead, lives far from you or in the same house with you. At the same time, telling your mother that you asked her for a Blessing is not necessary and even undesirable. Even if your relationship with your mother is very trusting, this should remain your little secret. Your letter is enough for mom to hear you. First of all, you need to choose a time and place so that no one disturbs you while writing the letter. Place a photo of your mother on the table, and if there is no photo, imagine that your mother is sitting opposite you and you want to talk to her. You can light a candle.
1. Read the prayers from Appendix 1, and begin your letter with emotion:
2. " Hello mother! I am writing to you from far away. I am writing you this letter with a request: Give me, mother, a blessing for life, abundance and prosperity. I live, Mom, without your blessing...”
And then you must write to your mother everything that you once wanted to tell her, but could not for some reason. These can be grievances and reproaches, starting from early childhood, as well as unspoken words of love and gratitude. Whatever your hand and heart wants to write must be written. Such a letter is not easy to write, and many tears may be shed. Cry without holding back - these are tears of relief.
If you want, you can tell your mother about your life, your joys and sorrows. When you write, do not pay attention to mistakes, the beauty of your handwriting and the completeness of your thoughts. No one will ever read this letter, and you don’t need to re-read it either. Your main task is to throw out everything unspoken on paper in order to restore and establish the finest threads of your relationship with your mother. You need to write until your thoughts dry up, and when your hand, as if by itself, writes: “ I bless you .” 3. When you finish writing, burn the letter without rereading it and write down the date and time you finished writing.
