It has been a while since I have written my last article (or post). Since then many things have happened in my life and in the life of my family. All of them were blessings and nothing else.
Why do we bless water in our churches? What is the history behind this tradition? What do we use it for? Where and how should we store it?
Whether you are new to Orthodoxy or are in the process of rediscovering your Orthodox faith and traditions in a new and maybe more meaningful way, it is my hope that this article will introduce you to this beautiful tradition or enhance what you already know about it.
Anyone who walks into an Orthodox Church - especially someone who is not an Orthodox Christian or even a Christian - will notice something unusual, and that is the smell of incense. And if they walk in during a service, they will see how incense is used and the ‘tools' used to burn it.
Of course, you are familiar with what a censer is by now and you know that to make that censer smoke, an altar server, deacon, or priest will put a few pieces of specially prepared incense on top of burning charcoal.
Why do we use incense and censers during our services?
A newcomer to an Orthodox Church might notice differences in priestly vestments. Among many styles of priestly vestments, these two are the most known in the Orthodox world: "Greek" style and "Russian" style.
The differences are mostly in appearance, but meaning of all the pieces of the vestments remains the same.
- especially someone who is not an Orthodox Christian or even a Christian - will notice something unusual, and that is the smell of incense. And if they walk in during a service, they will see how incense is used and the ‘tools' used to burn it.
