The
honour of the Golden Rose may be conferred as a token of reverence
or affection upon men, women, couples, churches, and institutions by
the Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia. The rose is traditionally blessed on Laetare Sunday.
Regardless of time, the prayer of blessing is:
O
God! by Whose word and power all things have been cre-ated, by Whose
will all things are directed, we humbly beseech Thy Majesty, Who art
the joy and gladness of all the faithful, that Thou wouldst deign in
Thy fatherly love to bless and sanctify this rose, most delightful in
odour and appearance, which we this day carry in sign of spiritual
joy, in order that the people consecrated by Thee and delivered from
the yoke of Babylonian slavery through the favour of Thine
only-begotten Son, Who is the glory and exultation of the people of
Israel and of that Jerusalem which is our Heavenly mother, may with
sincere hearts show forth their joy. Wherefore, O Lord, on this day,
when the Church exults in Thy name and manifests her joy by this sign
[the rose], confer upon us through her true and perfect joy and
accepting her devotion of today; do Thou remit sin, strengthen faith,
increase piety, protect her in Thy mercy, drive away all things
adverse to her and make her ways safe and prosperous, so that Thy
Church, as the fruit of good works, may unite in giving forth the
perfume of the ointment of that flower sprung from the root of Jesse
and which is the mystical flower of the field and lily of the
valleys, and remain happy with-out end in eternal glory together with
all the saints.
It is then sprinkled thrice with holy water and censed thrice.
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