Why do we bless homes?
We spend a good amount of time in our homes. Some work from home, raise children, study, pray, eat meals, and sleep. We want these activities to take place in a blessed context. As Christ sanctified the waters of the Jordan by his presence, we bless our homes with holy water to cleanse it from anything evil or sinful.

I had my home blessed last year. Why does it need to be blessed again?
Throughout the year we think, say, and do things that are sinful in our home. These things tarnish the purity of the home, in addition to ourselves. Some did not have their homes blessed last year which means they are especially in need of God’s blessing and purity.

If your home has never been blessed (especially if you moved or you are new to Orthodoxy), there is a special blessing that is done. Please let the priest know if this applies.

What do I need to do before the priest arrives?
It is customary to pick up around the home before the priest arrives. This not only allows a clear path to walk through the house, but also allows all the surfaces to be blessed. If you are able, have a small surface near your icon corner where the priest can set Holy Water, a candle, and cross. You may have a cloth and your own candle set-up if you like.

The service text for the house blessings can be found at this link:   http://www.dowama.org/sites/docs/TheophanyHouseBlessing.PDF