In the Orthodox tradition, there is the practice of consecrating a home. The rite of consecration of a house or apartment is performed directly by the clergyman.
In order to sanctify the dwelling, it is necessary to invite a priest to the house. This can be done with a personal appeal to the clergyman or through an appeal to the church shop in order to express a desire to consecrate housing.
Immediately during the consecration, not only all household members, but also close relatives, acquaintances or friends — all those who often visit the consecrated room — can be in the apartment. During the very rite of consecration, the priest prays for the household, their relatives and friends, so it is advisable for the latter and themselves to be present during the fulfillment of this church requirement.
Of the objects used during the consecration, it is worth highlighting the following: holy water, vegetable oil (oil), candles, stickers with crosses. Sometimes the priest already has holy water with him and stickers that will be glued to the four walls of the dwelling on all sides of the world. Some clergy do not use stickers, but put the sign of the cross on the walls manually.
So, immediately before the consecration, it is necessary to put a table in the center of the room on which there will be containers with holy water and oil. The table can be placed in front of the iconostasis, or a holy icon can be placed on the surface of the table. It is also recommended to write on a piece of paper the names of residents, close relatives and all those who need to be remembered during the consecration. The priest will lay the gospel and the cross on the table itself before the order of consecration, so the surface of the table should be clean.
Also, candles are used during consecration. Some clergymen, during the rite, put candles in special candlesticks or in suitable utensils under the signs of the cross on the walls on four sides. That is, you can prepare special candlesticks or containers in the amount of four pieces for this action.
Such is the external preparation for the consecration of the apartment. However, it is necessary to mention the preparation of the internal, which should consist in understanding the meaning of sanctification. The consecration of housing should not be approached as some kind of magical ritual, an Orthodox person should be aware that the tenants are asking for divine grace that helps during life. In addition, the square is consecrated to protect itself from the influence of dark forces and evil people. True, it is worth considering that the residents themselves should try to lead a non-opposing life, otherwise no sanctification can help.
