A Sidney church prepares to revive an old medieval Christian ritual in the new year. 

Parishioners are invited to take part in "chalking the door" at St. Andrew's Anglican Church on Jan. 5, following the 10 a.m. service.

Rooted in biblical traditions, the ritual involves inscribing numbers and letters on doorways with chalk to bless homes and ward off evil. The practice aligns with Epiphany, on Jan. 6, marking the visit of the wise men to Bethlehem after JesusB次元官网网址� birth.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 formula, B次元官网网址�20+C+M+B+25,B次元官网网址� combines the year 2025 and initials representing the wise men B次元官网网址� Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar B次元官网网址� as well as the Latin phrase B次元官网网址渃hristus mansionem benedicatB次元官网网址� which translates to B次元官网网址渕ay Christ bless this house.B次元官网网址�

Participants will receive chalk and instructions to conduct a similar blessing at home. The event is open to all.

For more information about the church, visit .