Following sung matins at Saint Paul’s – students and teachers join us in front of the Church for the blessing of the doors for Epiphany. Chalking the door is one of the Christian Epiphanytide traditions used in order to bless churches and homes.

The initials, C, M, B, are inscribed above the doors with the blessed chalk and can be interpreted as the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means “Christ bless this house” and also stand as the initials of the three kings/magi – (Casper, Melchior and Balthesar) with the first two numerals of the year preceding the initials.

Like this:

20 + C + M + B + 21

The Epiphany Collect:

O GOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.