40 Days

Last Saturday, we all celebrated Maria's first 40 days (plus 5) with a ceremony at the church.

Praying over the baby and giving thanks for her is something that they do here when the baby is 40 days old.  Prayers are also offered for the mother.  It is called the "churching" of the child and mother and is a reenactment of Mary presenting Jesus at the temple on his fortieth day.  It is the formal introduction of the baby to the church after the 40 days that the mother and baby traditionally stayed home (some still do) here in Greece after the baby is born.  Apparently, it is meant to be done on the exact day the baby is 40 days old, but, because Maria's parents are both somewhat clueless on these matters, hers was actually done at 45 days.  That was okay.  Actually, the priest said it was good, as the day before was a special day honoring the Virgin Maria (Mary).

The ceremony was short and beautiful.

First, we held Maria as the priest read some prayers.

Then, we gave her to the priest, and he blessed her and prayed.

 
Then, he and Maria led the way around the church to each of the saints.  We all did the same.  We stopped at each one and made the sign of the cross three times.  As in our wedding, many things in Orthodoxy are performed three times in honor of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.   We then gave each one a small kiss.  Or, in our case, we leaned down towards it and gave the air a small kiss...the meaning was the same.

Then, Maria was handed back to her proud daddy, and we wrapped it up.

 

It was strange to realize that it was almost exactly a year ago (April 24 is our anniversary) that we got married in that same place.  And now we are back with our baby.  What a difference a year can make!!!!

 It was a special day all around.

 

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