“And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain.” — Exodus 26:30
In both the Old and New Covenants, there are many sacred vessels which we use in worship. Some of these are only to be used in Church, such as the censer and the chalice; however, other vessels, such as blessed crosses, icons, Bibles, and prayer ropes, may be used at home too. Such things are vessels of blessing, which must be blessed by a priest and may thenceforth be used in our prayer. Traditionally, we are given a baptismal cross at baptism, but any other crosses and icons may also be blessed. Iconography is seen even in the Old Testament, where God commands the creation of statues of cherubim. At certain times throughout the year, water blessings (chrorhnek), grape blessings (khaghaghorhnek) and pomegranate blessings (nrorhnek) also occur, whence they are delivered unto the people. Blessing of bread also occurs every divine liturgy as mas to give to those who are not prepared to receive holy communion.