In Orthodox Christian practice, it is customary to take a priest's blessing for any important matters that do not negatively affect spiritual life. This can be a blessing for a prayer rule, work, wedding, travel and other vital actions for a person.
The priest's blessing symbolizes some kind of permission to do something. In addition, the blessing of the presbyter is understood as the granting of some divine help, the Lord's help for a good undertaking.
The blessing of an Orthodox priest is not given for sinful undertakings, because the very essence of this action is to invoke the grace of the Holy Spirit on a person. That is, by means of a blessing, the priest asks God to send help to the Christian in his good endeavor. That is why the priest's blessing must be treated with special reverence.
A priest can bless a person at any time, regardless of whether there is a priest in the church or not, while the vesting of a priest or bishop in spiritual clothes also does not apply to the act of blessing.
In order to ask for a blessing from a priest, you need to address the pastor by name, for example: "Father (name), bless" or "Father, bless". In this case, you can simply ask for blessings or say specifically about what needs to be done. For example, you can explain your desire to a priest to get married, get a job, take a blessing for study or for an operation. Church blessing can extend to various aspects of the life and work of the believer, if they do not contradict the divine commandments. To receive a blessing, fold the right hand over the left, palms up:
The priest makes the sign of the cross to the person asking, after which he puts his hand in the palm of the believer. The Christian must accept this blessing as from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Therefore, the Orthodox believer kisses the hand of the priest (as if he is kissing the hand of the Savior). Some priests do not allow their hand to be kissed, but after the blessing they place it on the head of the person asking.
The Holy Fathers of the Church say that.
Orthodox Christians, who have their own spiritual father, seek advice from their spiritual father on all vital issues. In the case of a desire to perform any spiritual deeds (prayer, fasting, worthy preparation for the sacrament, etc.), a blessing is requested. In general, the whole life of a believer, his life activity should correspond to the high purpose of the individual, which consists in striving for holiness. That is why blessing, like asking for God's help, is so important for a believer.
