Bishops and priests are bearers of grace. They are called to
guide and sanctify the faithful and to call down upon them God’s blessing. In
Old Testament times God commanded the priests, "Bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, the Lord bless thee, and keep thee!¼ And they shall
put My name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them" (Numbers 6:23-27,
Leviticus 9:22). The blessing given by a priest of the New Testament
confers upon the faithful even greater spiritual strength. In giving a
blessing, the priest is following the example of our Saviour, Who embraced
children, put His hands upon them and blessed them (cf. Mark 10:16; Luke 24:50).
In bestowing a blessing, a priest makes the sign
of the Cross, holding his fingers in such a way that they represent the initial
letters of the Lord’s name, Jesus Christ. In order to receive a blessing upon
meeting a bishop or a priest, one joins his hands, right over left, palms
upward, and says, "Bless me, Father," to a priest, or "Bless me,
Vladyka (Master)," to a bishop. The blessing should then be received with
faith that one will receive God’s grace. On receiving a blessing, one kisses
the hand that gives the blessing, as if kissing the invisible hand of the
Saviour.
Return to the first page
