Special Services and Blessings of the Orthodox Church
At the heart of the Orthodox Christian faith is the Holy Eucharist—the central celebration where we participate in the very life of the Holy Trinity. This sacred act is the pinnacle of our worship, and the other major Sacraments flow from and point toward it, bearing witness to Christ's ongoing presence in the lives of His people.
In addition to the Eucharist and the major Sacraments, the Orthodox Church offers Special Services and Blessings that reflect God's ongoing action in the world. These services are an expression of God's love, care, and nearness to us. They remind us that all of life is sacred and can be directed toward God, finding its fulfillment in Him. Whether it’s the celebration of a significant life event or a simple blessing of an object, each of these moments invites us to see God’s presence in every aspect of our lives.
While these special services are often referred to as non-sacramental—because they are not part of the major seven Sacraments—they are no less sacred. They carry a sacramental quality in that they reveal the presence and power of the Holy Trinity. Services like the Funeral Service, the Blessing of Water, and the Entrance into Monastic Life are deeply significant to the life of the Church. In addition, there are numerous Blessings for individuals, events, and objects—such as houses, fields, and even animals—reminding us that nothing in this world is secular or separate from God's care.
Funeral Service
In the Orthodox Church, death is seen not as the end but as the transition from one stage of life to the next. The death of a Christian affects not only their family but the entire Church, because we are all part of the Body of Christ. The Funeral Service is not about celebrating the life of the deceased in a sentimental way, but about emphasizing the reality of death and the victorious Resurrection of Christ, through which the power of death is overcome.
The Funeral Service consists of three parts:
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The Trisagion Service (held at the wake), where the Church prays for the soul of the departed, asking Christ to give them "rest with the saints."
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The Funeral Service (held at the church on the day of burial), where the body is brought in for the final prayers. During this service, the Church celebrates the hope of the Resurrection. If possible, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated.
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The Graveside Service (Trisagion Service repeated) as the body is laid to rest.
Throughout, we honor the body as sacred, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we trust that it, too, will share in the final restoration of all creation.
Memorial Service
Death may alter our physical relationships, but it does not sever the bond of love and faith that exists among members of the Church. The Memorial Service reminds us that we are still united in Christ. This service is offered regularly on the third, ninth, and fortieth days after a death, as well as on the anniversary of the death. Special "Saturdays of the Souls" are observed on the two Saturdays before Great Lent, on the first Saturday of Great Lent, and the Saturday before Pentecost.
During the Memorial Service, the family of the deceased offers boiled wheat (known as kollyva), symbolizing the Resurrection of the dead. Jesus Himself used the imagery of a grain of wheat to describe the Resurrection: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24).
The Great Blessing of Water (Megas Agiasmos)
On Epiphany, the Church commemorates the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River, which revealed the Holy Trinity and sanctified creation. Through this event, Christ showed us that creation is not distant from God but is destined to share in His glory. The Great Blessing of Water is a service that highlights this sanctification, reminding us that the water of creation is blessed and made holy by Christ.
This blessing takes place on January 5th (the eve of Epiphany) and on Epiphany Day itself. After the service, the blessed water is distributed to the faithful, who use it to bless their homes. This act reminds us of our own baptism and affirms that God’s presence sanctifies all creation.
In addition to the Great Blessing of Water, the Church also offers a Lesser Blessing of Water, which can be done throughout the year, often when a home is blessed or at the beginning of new activities, like the start of a school year.
Blessing of Bread (Artoklasia)
Artoklasia, or the Blessing of Five Loaves of Bread, is a brief service of thanksgiving in which we express our gratitude to God for His provision. The bread, along with oil, wine, and wheat, symbolizes the essentials of life. This service is especially meaningful because it calls to mind the miracle of the loaves and fish that Christ performed to feed the multitudes. The Blessing of Bread typically occurs after the Divine Liturgy on feast days or other special occasions. The bread is then cut and shared with the congregation.
The Akathist Hymn
The Akathist Hymn is one of the most beautiful and poetic services in the Orthodox Church, and it is sung in honor of Mary, the Theotokos (God-bearer). The hymn praises Mary for her unique role in salvation as the mother of the Son of God. The word "Akathist" means "without sitting," and indeed, the entire congregation stands throughout the service in reverence to Mary.
This service is held on the Fridays of Great Lent (four parts on the first four Fridays, and the entire service on the fifth). It is an expression of the Orthodox Church's deep veneration for Mary as the first and greatest of the saints, chosen by God to bring Christ into the world.
The Service of Supplication (Paraklesis)
The Paraklesis (Service of Supplication) is a prayer service offered during times of sickness, temptation, or discouragement. The prayers ask for God’s guidance and healing, and they often include petitions for the intercession of Mary, the Theotokos, and the saints. The belief in the communion of saints is central to this service. Just as we can ask one another for prayer in this life, we believe that the saints, and especially Mary, continue to intercede for us in heaven.
There are two forms of the Paraklesis: the Lesser and Greater services. The Lesser Paraklesis is shorter and is the form most commonly offered. It is celebrated most frequently during the first fourteen days of August leading up to the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15th).
Conclusion
The Special Services and Blessings of the Orthodox Church are an extension of the Church's life in Christ. They serve to remind us that God's presence is with us in all moments of life—from our most joyous to our most sorrowful. Whether celebrating the blessings of daily life or seeking God's help in times of need, the Church affirms that nothing is outside His loving care. Each service is an invitation to draw closer to God and to one another in faith, hope, and love.
