The Medicine found within the Holy Orthodox Church by Abbot Tryphon One medicine for the heart found within the Orthodox Church, is the use of a “Prayer Rule.” This “Rule” is of the utmost importance, for the Prayer Rule helps develop the discipline we all need to progress spiritually. It is one of the greatest […]
Mental Imagery in Eastern Orthodox Private Devotion
August 29, 2016 By
Is mental imagery good or bad in spiritual life? Fr. Sergei answers the question for Orthodox Christians, and anyone else who needs to know, once and for all. By Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov Just as there can be a properly trained voice, there can be a properly trained soul. —Fr. Alexander Elchaninov This presentation is based […]
When A Man Is Distant From God and Then Prays
March 12, 2016 By
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon In His instruction on prayer, Jesus tells us, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be […]
Is There Anybody Out There? Does God Not Answer Prayer?
October 9, 2015 By
Why Petitions are “Not Answered” and How Intercession Works by Fr John Maitland Moir “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain “Move hence to yonder place”, and it will move” You probably know the story of the old Scots woman whose cottage window was overshadowed by […]
The Three Ways of Attention and Prayer
July 28, 2014 By
by St. Symeon the New Theologian There are three ways of attention and prayer, by which the soul can be lifted and become spiritually exhalted, or crumble and perish. If these three ways are used appropriately and at the right time, the soul will be lifted, whilst if they are used unreasonably and at the […]
Why You Feel Your Prayers Are Not Heard
June 25, 2014 By
by St. John of Kronstadt Even during prayer, man is for the greater part not the son of freedom, but the slave of necessity and duty. Look at any man you like, even at a priest. Do many of them pray with a free expanded heart, with living faith and love? During prayer there sometimes […]
Homily On Prayer
March 27, 2014 By
by St. Theophan the Recluse Why is it, you ask, that one can pray for so many years with a prayer book, and still not have prayer in his heart? I think the reason is that people only spend a little time lifting themselves up to God when they complete their prayer rule, and in […]
Prayer, Fasting, Mercy
February 24, 2014 By
by St. Peter Chrysologus There are three things, my brethren,by which faith stands firm, devotion remains constant, and virtue endures.They are prayer, fasting and mercy.Prayer knocks at the door,fasting obtains, mercy receives.Prayer, mercy and fasting: These three are one, and they give life to each other. Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the […]
