This year on the evening of January 6th, the celebration of Epiphany, the Congregation of All Saints Anglican Church Algarve together with their friends and family joined together to continue with the long-established Anglican tradition of “Chalking the Doors”.
What is Chalking the Doors?
Chalking the Door is a way of marking homes with sacred signs or symbols, to ask God’s blessing on those who live, work or visit the homes throughout the coming year.
What are these letters and what do these letters and numbers mean?
20 † C † M † B †22
At the front and back of the chalking is the year, in this case 2022.
Between the year are Casper, Melchior & Balthazar, the names of the 3 Magi who followed a star 2022 years ago to the stable where the Christ was born to bring him precious gifts.
The arrival of the 3 Magi at the stable is celebrated by Christians throughout the world at Epiphany Time. C is for Caspar, M is for Melchior and B for Balthasar. 20 † C † M † B †22
Some also suggest that the letters C, M & B stand for “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” which means, “May Christ bless this dwelling!”
As the Doors were chalked a short prayer was said.
“Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect your love.”
“It’s so wonderful to see these older traditions and customs continuing, and a way for people both inside and outside of the Church to welcome in the New Year and ask for their houses to be blessed,“ said Jo Blackman of All Saints “ the chalk will remain over our doors until next Epiphany tide as a continuing blessing, and next year we will do it all again.”
ABOUT ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN CHURCH ALGARVE
All Saints Anglican Church Algarve is an Anglican Church (part of the Worldwide Anglican Communion) providing contemporary and relevant worship with strong Biblical teaching for the 21st Century.
Our doors are wide open to people from all backgrounds and nationalities who wish to join us on our faith journey of following Jesus Christ.
One live and in person at 11am on Sunday Morning the Convent in Lagoa in a safe socialy distanced environment.
The other live, interactive and on line, providing a virtual worship service at 10.30am on Sunday Morning.
For more information and details on location and service times please contact:
E: secretary@allsaintsalgarve.church
T: (+351) 932 841 943
WhatsApp: (+351) 932 841 943
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsalgarve
W: www.allsaintsalgarve.church
