Prayer and its meaning in Orthodoxy
The Orthodox tradition endows prayer with an important virtue - dispassion. Re-read the Gospel, which contains the important thought of the Son of God. This idea comes down to the removal of everything vain to the periphery of human consciousness.
While reading prayers, the following are expelled from the mind:
Emotional outbursts interfere with awareness and a clear understanding of the role of the temple in our lives. A similar mistake was already made by the Corinthian Christians, who tried to pour out their feelings in several languages and engage in prophecy. The Apostle Paul called these people to prudence. The saint recommended reading prayer texts wisely, controlling your actions.
The importance of prayers in Orthodoxy is very great. Praises to the Lord are offered morning and evening, together and individually. When we sing together with the church choir or offer speeches of gratitude to the Father and the Son, we cleanse our inner beings and prepare to endure any trials with fortitude. Have you noticed that the deacon reads the holy texts measuredly? Such an activity does not tolerate fuss, excessive enthusiasm or shedding of tears. The Lord gave you intelligence, use it.
Joint prayers in the temple
In churches, communal prayer is given special importance. The Church is not a gathering of lonely believers, it is a single organism acting in a common spiritual impulse. Joint prayer is an instrument of unity with God, which is invisibly present in any church.
Remember that there are church sacraments that only a clergyman can perform. Such sacraments are not limited to the reading of prayers.
Common prayer is most relevant during great services. Believers worship not only Jesus Christ, but also the Mother of God, as well as famous saints who made a significant contribution to the development of Christianity. If one of the parishioners is distracted from the service, the rest continue to pray. And this is where the power of collective hymns to the Mother of God and other saints lies.
Here are the main points in church services that are worth paying attention to:
- Praises to the Holy Spirit are offered by the priest and deacon (the second acts as an assistant).
- The prayer is said by specially trained people - readers.
- Singing is also present in the Orthodox tradition.
- If the Mother of God is glorified in words that are not entirely clear to you, be patient and attentive. Soon the meaning will dawn on you.
- It's okay to sing along with the choir, just try not to disturb the rest of the congregation.
- A lay rite is also known - the service of the daily circle (here the participation of a priest is not required).
LEISURE FOR ORTHODOX CHILDREN
Where did this tradition come from?
