Saints for the Home
An Orthodox home is consecrated. After Theophany the priest sprinkles it with holy water, and the family sets up an icon corner on an east wall. Russians looking for a home pray to St Spyridon, St Xenia and St Matrona, who are all asked about housing, and St Nicholas is asked for a peaceful house. An icon of the Mother of God over the door and a cross on the wall are the oldest housewarming gifts. Whether you are buying, renting, selling or just moving into a first apartment, start with the icon corner, and the rest of the house follows.
The saints the Church turns to
The Mother of God
Asked for protection under her veil; her icon hangs over the door.
Protection, 1 October (14 October on the Old Calendar).
St Spyridon of Trimythous
Asked for a roof over one’s head: finding, buying, selling or renting a home.
12 December (25 December on the Old Calendar).
St Xenia of Petersburg
Asked for a home and help with housing.
24 January (6 February on the Old Calendar).
St Matrona of Moscow
Asked for a home of one’s own and the settling of housing disputes.
2 May.
St Nicholas the Wonderworker
Asked for a good and holy family life.
6 December (19 December on the Old Calendar).
The Precious Cross
“Save and protect,” on the wall of every Orthodox house.
14 September (27 September on the Old Calendar).
In our shop
Icon Corner Set$199
Christ (Zvenigorod Saviour) & Vladimir Mother of God$69
Holy Trinity (after Rublev) & Christ$69
Christ Pantocrator & Our Lady of Kazan$69
“Save and Protect” wooden wall cross, 8 in$49
- Icons of the Mother of God — wooden.
- Sts Spyridon, Xenia and Matrona icons (coming soon)
How Orthodox Christians pray for this
Set the icon corner on an east wall, with Christ on the right and the Mother of God on the left, and a lamp before them. Ask the priest to sprinkle the new house with holy water; after Theophany he comes again each year. A cross goes over the door or on the wall, and the family prays together in the corner morning and evening.
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you — Consecration, $49.
Questions
Who is the patron saint of the house?
Orthodox Christians put a home under the Mother of God, and pray to St Spyridon, St Xenia and St Matrona about housing.
Which saint helps you sell a house?
Burying a St Joseph statue is a Catholic folk custom and has no basis in Orthodox tradition. Orthodox Christians pray to St Spyridon for buying, selling or renting a home.
Where do icons go in an Orthodox home?
In an icon corner on an east wall, with an icon of the Mother of God over the front door.