The shrine of St. Menas used to be for the Ancient Eastern Orthodox world what Lourdes is for Roman Catholics, a place where thousands of pilgrims would bring their prayers in distress and receive the grace of God in return, through the intercessions of the Holy Martyr.
Though the Shrine of Saint Menas was one of the [...]
Entries Tagged as 'prayer'
The Akathyst of the Holy Martyr Menas the Wonderworker
March 11th, 2010 No Comments
Tags: agios · akathist · canon · Egypt · eikos · English · Holy · kontakion · martyr · Menas · Minas · oikos · prayer · saint · wonderworker
“To be” or “to know”, that is the question
September 24th, 2009 No Comments
Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, from William Shakespeare’s synonymous play, starting with the memorable phrase “To be or not to be, that is the question”, is a reflection that profoundly resonates with the Eastern Orthodox theology. Let me explain this.
Tags: God · hesychasm · knowledge · orthodox · prayer · reason
Silence of the minds
September 11th, 2009 No Comments
I always liked this dialogue from the movie Pulp Fiction (slightly adapted for language):
“Don’t you hate that?”
“Hate what?”
“Uncomfortable silences. Why do we feel it’s necessary to yak about nonsense? In order to be comfortable?”
“I don’t know. That’s a good question.”
“That’s when you know you found somebody really special, when you can just shut […] up for a minute. Comfortably share silence.”
Tags: heart · mind · nous · prayer · silence · uncomfortable
The struggle of prayer – a short practical guide
August 10th, 2009 2 Comments
If you ask anyone in church about prayer they will most likely us a descriptor like: a pleasant experience, a conversation with God, a link with the absolute or other general terms, all positive in nature. Things are different however when, during Confession, a Father Confessor asks the same question. He will most likely hear more about lack of time, loss of focus, procrastination and struggle in general. The truth is that prayer is easier said than done.
Tags: desert fathers · orthodox · prayer · struggle
Fos Ilaron – O Gladsome Light
October 4th, 2008 No Comments
O gladsome light of holy glory, of the immortal Father, heavenly and holy, blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun, and see the light of evening: we praise Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy at all times [...]
Prayers for the Family
October 3rd, 2008 No Comments
Family or Group Prayer
Leader: May the grace or our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
All: And with your Spirit.
All: You have given us grace at this time to offer You a common prayer together and have promised that when two or [...]
Prayer for one’s spouse
October 3rd, 2008 1 Comment
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Who taught us that we should always pray for each other, for in this way we will fulfill Your law and we will be found worthy of your mercy, look with compassion and safeguard my husband (wife), which you have granted me in order to spend our lives together until the end.
Tags: christian · family · life · orthodox · prayer · spouse
