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How one Orthodox Christian ends daily prayer with holy water, antidoron, and myrrh
The speaker shares three traditions observed after concluding daily prayers in the prayer corner. This is the fifth installment in a series called Tips from the Prayer Corner. First, a sip of holy water, or agiasmos, received from the Orthodox Church, is taken with reverence for God's blessing, purification, and sanctification of soul and body.
The water is blessed through the prayers of the church. Second, three small pieces of antidoron, the blessed bread from the Divine Liturgy, are consumed. This antidoron comes from the Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery in Williston, Florida, and is preserved by drying so it lasts through the week, a traditional practice for keeping it in the prayer corner.
The term antidoron means "instead of the gifts." The pieces are eaten with thanksgiving. Third, holy myrrh oil is applied in the form of a cross, touching the forehead, chin, right cheek, and left cheek. While anointing, the speaker asks Jesus Christ for mercy, healing, and protection, making the sign of the cross in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
These practices help end the prayer time with gratitude and carry the remembrance of God into daily life. The post includes both English and Greek text describing the same traditions.
Key moments
- After prayers, the speaker takes a small sip of holy water (ayasmos) received from the Orthodox Church.
- The holy water is blessed through the prayers of the church and partaken with reverence for God's blessing, purification, and sanctification of soul and body.
- The speaker then takes three small pieces of antidoron, the blessed bread from the Divine Liturgy, specifically from the Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox monastery in Williston, Florida.
- The antidoron is preserved by drying, a traditional practice to keep it in the prayer corner for consumption throughout the week.
- Antidoron means "instead of the gifts."
- The speaker consumes the three pieces with thanksgiving and reverence.
- The speaker takes holy myrrh oil and anoints in the form of the cross, touching forehead, chin, right cheek, and left cheek.
- While anointing, the speaker asks Jesus Christ for mercy, healing, and protection, making the sign of the cross in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.