In Orthodoxy there are many saints to whom they pray for various ailments and prayers help in various situations. Very often, help comes not only through repentance, but also through turning to one or another saint. Prayers to John of Kronstadt are considered effective, helping those who believe in God and sincerely pray for salvation.
Memorial Days:
- November 1 – Cathedral of Saints of the Archangel Metropolis
- December 1 – Council of Saints of the Estonian Land
- January 2 – Repose
- June 14 – Glorification
- July 11 (movable) – Cathedral of St. Petersburg Saints
Orthodox and church holidays and fasts
Today is an Orthodox church holiday: * Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised (memory of the miracle by which Orthodoxy was established, 451). * Equal to the Apostles Grand Duchess Olga of Russia, in holy baptism Helena (969) and other saints whose names we remember on this day... Tomorrow:
* Martyrs Proclus and Hilary (c. 98-117).
* St. Michael Malein (962) and other saints whose names we remember on this day... Holidays are expected: 07/26/2021
- * Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel.
* St. Stephen Savvait (794) and other saints whose names we remember on this day... 07.27.2021
- * Apostle Aquila of the 70 (I) and other saints whose names we remember on this day...
07.28.2021
- * Martyrs of Kirik and Julitta, his mother (c. 305). *** Equal to the Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, in holy baptism Vasily, Baptist of Rus' (1015) and other saints whose names we remember on this day...
All Orthodox and church holidays and fasts...
Orthodox Saints of God
The holy saints of God show special love and mercy to those who honor their holy memory.
It seems to many that the saints are far from us. But they are far from those who have withdrawn themselves, and very close to those who keep the commandments of Christ and have the grace of the Holy Spirit.
The holy saints in their earthly life turned to God for help in healing their ailments, sorrows and deliverance from temptations, asking God that even after death He would honor them with the gift of helping people in various cases of life.
The saints have reached the Heavenly Kingdom and there they see the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ; but by the Holy Spirit they also see the suffering of people on earth. Many holy saints of God received special grace from God, and He deigned them to be intercessors before Him for deliverance from our sorrows and bodily ailments, in which they themselves were tempted.
The saints rejoice at our repentance and mourn when people leave God and become like foolish cattle. They feel sorry that people live on earth, not knowing that if they loved each other, then there would be freedom from sin on earth: and where there is no sin, there is joy and gladness from the Holy Spirit, so that, wherever you look, everything sweet, and the soul wonders why it feels so good, and praises God. The saints hear our prayers and have the power from God to help us. The entire Christian race knows about this. We must remember: in order for a prayer to be heard, one should pray to the holy saints of God with faith in the power of their intercession before God, in words coming from the heart.
In our prayers we turn to the Lord God, to His Most Pure Mother - our Intercessor and Helper, to the holy Angels and holy people - the saints of God, because for their sake the Lord God is more likely to hear us sinners, our prayers. The Saints have different names: prophets, apostles, martyrs, saints, saints, unmercenaries, blessed, righteous, confessors. more>>
The Lord says: “When you light a candle, you do not put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it gives light to everyone in the house. So let your light shine before people, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:15-16). Saints are bright stars that show us the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let us treasure the closeness of the holy saints of God to God and turn to them for help, remembering that they love us and care about our salvation. It is good to pray to the holy saints of God on those days when the Church celebrates their memory.
«Holy Saints of God, pray to God for us!»
Saints: life, memory, suffering...
Prayers and akathist to the holy righteous John of Kronstadt
Troparion and Kontakion to John of Kronstadt Prayers for St. John of Kronstadt Akathist for the Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt Greatness
Troparion and Kontakion to Saint John of Kronstadt
Troparion, tone 1
Champion of the Orthodox faith, saddener of the Russian land, a shepherd of rule and a faithful figure, a preacher of repentance and life in Christ, a reverent servant of the Divine Mysteries and a daring prayer book for people, righteous Father John, healer and wonderful miracle worker, praise to the city of Kronstadt and adornment of our Church, pray to the All-Good God to pacify the world and save our souls.
Kontakion, tone 3
Today the Shepherd of Kronstadt stands before the Throne of God and earnestly prays for the faithful of Christ the Chief Shepherd, who made the promise: “I will build My Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
PRAYERS TO SAINT RIGHTEOUS JOHN OF KRONSTADT
First prayer
O great wonderworker and wonderful servant of God, God-bearing Father John! Look at us and listen compassionately to our prayer, for the Lord has vouchsafed you great gifts, so that you may become an intercessor and constant prayer-book for us. Behold, we are overwhelmed by sinful passions and consumed by malice, we have neglected the commandments of God, we have not brought heartfelt repentance and tears of sighing, for this reason we are worthy of appearing through many sorrows and sorrows. But you, righteous father, having great boldness towards the Lord and compassion for your neighbors, beg the All-Bountiful Lord of the world to add His mercy to us and tolerate our iniquities, not to destroy us for our sin, but to mercifully grant us time for repentance. O Saint of God, help us to immaculately observe the Orthodox faith and piously preserve the commandments of God, so that all iniquity may not possess us, the Truth of God will be put to shame in our untruths, but may we be honored to achieve a Christian death, painless, shameless, peaceful and partakers of the Mysteries of God. We also pray to you, righteous father, for the hedgehog of our Holy Church to be established until the end of time, and ask for peace and abiding for our Fatherland, save us from all evils, so that our people, preserved by God, are in unanimity of faith and in all piety and purity, in the beauty of spiritual brotherhood, sobriety and harmony testify: that God is with us! In Him we move and are, and will remain forever. Amen.
Second prayer
Oh, holy and righteous Father John, All-Russian lamp and wonderful miracle worker! From your infancy you were chosen by God and, with a fiery spirit, like a true shepherd, you served the people in your life, in your words, in your love, in your faith, in your purity. For this reason, we pray to you, righteous father: pray to God, the Lover of Mankind, to protect the holy Church with peace and silence, to preserve the Russian land in prosperity, to fill the shepherds of grace and truth abundantly, to make the authorities wise, to strengthen the Orthodox army, to heal the weak, to correct the corrupt, to educate the young, the elders and widows to console us all in the Kingdom of Heaven to be honored with all the saints to glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer three
O great servant of Christ, holy and righteous Father John of Kronstadt, wondrous shepherd, quick helper and merciful representative! Raising praise to the Triune God, you prayerfully cried out: Your name is Love: do not reject me, the erring one. Your name is Strength: strengthen me, who is weak and falling. Your name is Light: enlighten my soul, darkened by worldly passions. Your name is Peace: pacify my restless soul. Your name is Mercy: do not cease to have mercy on me. Now, grateful to your intercession, the all-Russian flock prays to you: Christ-named and righteous servant of God! With your love, illumine us, sinners and weaklings, grant us the ability to bear worthy fruits of repentance and to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ without condemnation. By your power, strengthen our faith in us, support us in prayer, heal ailments and illnesses, deliver us from misfortunes, enemies, visible and invisible. With the light of your face, incite the servants and primates of the Altar of Christ to holy deeds of pastoral work, grant education to an infant, instruct youth, support old age, illuminate the shrines of churches and holy abodes! Die, most miraculous and visionary, the peoples of our country, by the grace and gift of the Holy Spirit, deliver from internecine warfare, gather the scattered, deceived converts and unite the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. By your grace, preserve marriage in peace and unanimity, grant prosperity and blessings to monastics in good deeds, give comfort to the faint-hearted, freedom to those suffering from unclean spirits, have mercy in the needs and circumstances of our lives, and guide us all on the path of salvation. In Christ living, our Father John, lead us to the Everlasting Light of eternal life, so that with you we may be worthy of eternal bliss, praising and exalting God forever and ever. Amen.
Akathist to Saint John of Kronstadt
How to read the akathist correctly
Kontakion 1
Chosen saint and glorious miracle worker, righteous Father John, glorious adornment of the city of Kronstadt! You, having followed Christ from infancy, desired Him to be crucified and, having established your life in Him, you received the gift of miracles from God and filled everyone with the life-giving word. We, who are unworthy, cry out to you with gratitude: Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Ikos 1
The angel of light, while still a youth, you clearly saw, Father John, even as you said, as if by the command of the Lord you were appointed to guard you in all your ways. Moreover, as God’s chosen one, leading you, we cry out to you: Rejoice, chosen vessel of God’s grace; Rejoice, taught from childhood by the word of God. Rejoice, in your adolescence you were granted the appearance of the Guardian Angel; Rejoice, having given yourself over to the guidance of the Holy Spirit from your youth. Rejoice, thou who have received piety from God-loving parents; Rejoice, having protected yourself with chastity and purity. Rejoice, having listened to your spiritual mentor with all your heart; Rejoice, you who have acquired God's favor by honoring your parents. Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 2
Foreseeing, God-bearing Father John, that many troubles and temptations were coming to the Russian Church and the children of God would be persecuted, you exhorted people, saying: repent, stand in the Orthodox faith, be strong and glorify the Lord, crying out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
We instruct with the Divine mind, O all-blessed Father John, you have enlightened all who come to you with the light of the true knowledge of God. But we, taught by your writings, cry out to you like this: Rejoice, fiery servant of the Gospel Truth; Rejoice, silent announcer of the verbs of eternal life. Rejoice, having pleased God by your righteous life; Rejoice, having glorified the Church of God with your writings. Rejoice, you have taken the Cross of Christ before your eyes to contemplate; Rejoice, having desired to be crucified with Christ with all your heart. Rejoice, loving God and your neighbors with all your heart; Rejoice, O people who give consolation to those in their sorrows and sorrows. Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 3
By the power of Divine grace, like a many-bright lamp of the Orthodox Church, you shone in the city of Kronstadt, O righteous John, and you enlightened the people who sat in the darkness of sin and were confused by the temptation of fighting God, and instructed you to sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having pastoral love, righteous Father John, you flowed to people who lacked shelter and daily bread and were perishing in despair, and you acquired them through the love and mercy of Christ. We gratefully cry out to you: Rejoice, in the temple of God you boldly prayed for people; Rejoice, merciful helper to the orphans and widows. Rejoice, thou who encouragest the hardened of heart to repentance; Rejoice, enlighten those who do not know God with Divine wisdom. Rejoice, quiet correction of the obstinate and malicious; Rejoice, zealous reproof of the lazy and the unfaithful. Rejoice, undaunted preacher of the Kingdom of God and his righteousness; Rejoice, tireless warrior against the machinations of the spirits of evil in high places. Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 4
The storm of wickedness that is raised against our holy Church, Father John, foreseeing that he is a faithful guardian of the house of the Lord, taught the children of God to be vigilant, to walk in the true faith and to abide blamelessly in the commandments of the Lord, that the Lord may save His people who call upon Him in repentance: Alleluia .
Ikos 4
The people of God hear that you are, Father John, a chosen vessel and filled with grace-filled gifts, not only from Kronstadt, but also from all ends of the earth, I flow to you, as if healing and help will come. With them, we, as we intercede before God for warmth, tenderly call to you: Rejoice, sower of righteousness, nourishing those who hunger for eternal life; Rejoice, denouncer of untruth, protecting the faithful from the deception of sin. Rejoice, show the way to God to the lost and foolish; Rejoice, teach the children of God with your writings. Rejoice, those who mourn and are burdened with everlasting hope; Rejoice, grace-filled healing for the sick and suffering. Rejoice, chosen vessel, marvelously adorned with the gifts of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, all-bright lamp, placed on the church candlestick by God. Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 5
Like a multi-bright star, you shone with your sacred life, O shepherd of Christ John! You, the flock entrusted to you by God, protected it from the wolves that were destroying it, crying out: repent and live, take away wickedness from your souls, so that with a pure heart you will see God and sing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Knowing the multitude of people, the consolation of those who were waiting, like an apostle of Christ, you went around the cities and villages of Russia, working miracles gracefully, sowing the word of God, healing the sick and correcting those of little faith, becoming all to everyone, so that everyone would be saved. We, who honor your illnesses and labors, cry out to you: Rejoice, for through the power of grace you strengthened the weak; Rejoice, for through your prayers you brought sinners to repentance. Rejoice, you who satisfy those who hunger and thirst according to the commandment of the Lord; Rejoice, you have led people to the truth of God through the gospel of Christ. Rejoice, having strengthened those of little faith in their faith through your prayers; Rejoice, having given health to the weak by the power of God. Rejoice, you who reverently walked around our land with preaching; Rejoice, this world, for the wise creation of God, praising. Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 6
Preachers of your wondrous deeds, Blessed John, appeared to many: rich and poor, old and young, for you richly poured out your love to everyone. Moreover, not only in Orthodoxy, but also in other faiths, through the power of your prayers, I found the mercy of God, singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
By your life you have shone in the Orthodox Church more than the northern radiance, Blessed John, showing people the right path. Moreover, pray to the Lord with strength, so that holy love may be established in our hearts, so that neither sorrow, nor hardship, nor death, nor the blessings of this world can separate us from the love of God, who cry out with gratitude to you: Rejoice, you who have bequeathed to keep the Orthodox faith in purity; Rejoice, having taught to walk the narrow path of Christ’s commandments. Rejoice, you who give joy to those who are in sorrow and sorrow; Rejoice, calling sinners to true repentance. Rejoice, you who proclaimed the coming to us by God's vision; Rejoice, you who have protected our fatherland from the snares of the enemy. Rejoice, keep the commanded peace with God sacredly; Rejoice, having served faithful people with the word of truth and love. Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 7
Although the All-Good Lord saved the people of our land and prepared me for sacrificial service, filled you, O all-blessed John, with the spirit of prophecy, wisdom and reason, so that, with your word of instruction, in the days of coming trials they unshakably cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
The new chosen one of God, the all-blessed John, leading you to God-loving people, offering a bloodless Sacrifice every day and boldly praying to Christ for everyone, flowing to you with faith and being healed. In the same way, we, fulfilled by your good deeds, sing with love to you: Rejoice, diligent prayer book for us at the Throne of God; Rejoice, zealous preacher of true repentance. Rejoice, for you instruct us not to work lazily for Christ our God; Rejoice, for you call us to stand on the divine guard. Rejoice, you have revealed the image of abstinence and chastity to the faithful; Rejoice, wisely protecting your flock from heresies and schism. Rejoice, zealous enlightener of those who exist in the darkness of ignorance; Rejoice, wondrous protector of human souls from the vanity of life. Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 8
We see a strange miracle revealed to you, wonderful shepherd of Christ John! You and the people are faithful, the Most Pure Mother of God Herself, as the dearest child of the Heavenly Father, called. For this reason, we, comforted by these words, cry out to the King of the ages: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
We are inflamed with all the desire of the Divine, you are filled with the love of Christ, good shepherd! We, who have been careless and have not acquired its treasures, are worthy of appearing in many sorrows and sorrows. Moreover, leading you with a vigilant helper, we cry out to you with hope: Rejoice, chosen vessel of Christ’s love; Rejoice, honored by the appearance of God to Matera. Rejoice, unquenchable lamp of the Church of Christ; Rejoice, you who intercede for the whole world and who are sorrowful. Rejoice, peace and truth of God to the zealot; Rejoice, planter of piety and good morals. Rejoice, praise and adornment to the Russian Church; Rejoice, blessed affirmation of our land. Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 9
To all people who are ignorant, sorrowful and sorrowful, the Lord has raised you up as a wonderful shepherd and wonderworker, Father John, to guide sinners to the right path, to convert the unfaithful to God and to heal the sick, so that all may sing in agreement the saving song: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
When you spoke silently about the grace given to you, John the Great, when with one word you brought people from sin to repentance, you raised up the sick from their sick beds, you cast out demons. We, as a wonderworker and saint of God, glorify thee: Rejoice, marvelous healer of the passions of those possessed; Rejoice, unpaid healer of those who suffer from long illness. Rejoice, you who have led those who have fallen away to God; Rejoice, you who menacingly denounced the godless. Rejoice, meek punisher of the repentant; Rejoice, generous giver of alms. Rejoice, zealous planter of Christian enlightenment and piety; Rejoice, wise guide of the young along the paths of righteousness. Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 10
To save the people of Russia, tempted by heresies and unbelief, Father John, you exposed the wiles of demons and firmly revealed the Orthodox confession of faith. For this reason you have reached the Kingdom of Heaven, where with the Angels and the faces of the saints you constantly pray to God for us and sing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You appeared as a solid wall to the suffering people, who came to you from all ends of the Russian land, God-bearing Father John. Likewise, strengthen us, the needy and weak in soul and body, with your prayers; we are protected by them; we offer these praises: Rejoice, unquenchable lamp, kindled by the fire of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, fragrant tree, filled with the dew of God's grace. Rejoice, abundant vine, nourishing the gifts of the faithful with grace; Rejoice, salt of the earth, preserving us from sinful corruption. Rejoice, in the sea of life there is a quiet refuge for those overwhelmed by life; Rejoice, good help for those who are mentally and physically exhausted. Rejoice, wise man of the heart, protecting faithful people from the wisdom of this world; Rejoice, sower of Christ, gladdening the hearts of many with the radiance of the Gospel. Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 11
We offer a song of praise to you, Father John, who glorified God with all your life. And just as on earth you begged the Lord of the world for all and for all, here and now in Heaven offer up your prayers, so that in our fatherland the victorious song will always be sung to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
We have a luminous light for you, Father John, chosen by God, for even after your departure from the earthly to the heavenly, at the Throne of God, in the host of saints and angelic powers, you ever intercede for us. For this reason, we gratefully cry out to you: Rejoice, for in your struggle the Name of the Most Holy Trinity has been wondrously glorified; Rejoice, for through your piety and faith the Church of Christ has been adorned. Rejoice, God-wise teacher of shepherds; Rejoice, good nun to the teacher. Rejoice, spouses, keep the wedding ceremony holy and teach; Rejoice, you who admonished your children to honor their parents. Rejoice, for through your compassion for your neighbors, sorrows and sorrows are quenched; Rejoice, for through your prayers sinners are turning to the path of salvation; Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 12
The Lord, Our Father John, filled you with the gracious gifts of the Holy Spirit, in whose image you zealously served the people of God. Offer a prayer to God and for us, that having achieved faith, hope and love, we will be partakers of life in Christ and be worthy to sing a song of thanksgiving: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your praiseworthy life on earth and the glory that you have gained in Heaven, Father John, we flow into the monastery you created and fall to your tomb, from the lack of healing and help, we proclaim to you: Rejoice, great preacher, jealous of the good prophet and apostle ; Rejoice, shepherd of the Russian land, chosen and glorified by God. Rejoice, you have wonderfully built the monastery of your venerable patron John of Rylsk; Rejoice, the city of St. Peter is gloriously adorned with this monastery. Rejoice, gather nuns to the recreated monastery; Rejoice, for you are a loving father who has everlasting care for them. Rejoice, grant quick help to all those who come to you; Rejoice, you who have revealed to us the image of the good shepherd in word, life and faith. Rejoice, John, foremost prayer book of the Russian lands.
Kontakion 13
O holy righteous Father John, all-Russian lamp and wonderworker! Receive our singing of praise and beg Christ God to establish the Holy Church in piety, to maintain unity in the union of peace and love of Christ, and we too will sing with you to God: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Ikos 1
The angel of light, while still a youth, you clearly saw, Father John, even as you said, as if by the command of the Lord you were appointed to guard you in all your ways. Moreover, as God’s chosen one, leading you, we cry out to you: Rejoice, chosen vessel of God’s grace; Rejoice, taught from childhood by the word of God. Rejoice, in your adolescence you were granted the appearance of the Guardian Angel; Rejoice, having given yourself over to the guidance of the Holy Spirit from your youth. Rejoice, thou who have received piety from God-loving parents; Rejoice, having protected yourself with chastity and purity. Rejoice, having listened to your spiritual mentor with all your heart; Rejoice, you who have acquired God's favor by honoring your parents. Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
Kontakion 1
Chosen saint and glorious miracle worker, righteous Father John, glorious adornment of the city of Kronstadt! You, having followed Christ from infancy, desired Him to be crucified and, having established your life in Him, you received the gift of miracles from God and filled everyone with the life-giving word. We, who are unworthy, cry out to you with gratitude: Rejoice, John, wonderful prayer book of the Russian land.
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Orthodox prayers and icons of the Mother of God and saints
The word “icon” comes from the Greek language and means “image”, “image”. The image of the icon is consecrated with holy water and special prayers, through this consecration the grace of the Holy Spirit is imparted to the icon, and the icon is already revered by us as holy. According to the Orthodox dogma of icon veneration, approved by the VII Ecumenical Council, “the honor given to an icon relates to its prototype, and the one who worships the icon worships the hypostasis of the person depicted on it.” The Council especially emphasizes that we give veneration to icons, and not the worship that is due to God alone. “The icon mysteriously contains within itself the presence of the one whom it depicts, and this presence is the closer, more grace-filled and stronger, the more the icon corresponds to the church canon.”
All Icons of the Mother of God and Saints
Prayer in the Christian life. What is prayer? About prayer
Prayer is the most important part of the spiritual life of every believer. Through prayer, a person turns to God, asks him and asks for forgiveness from him. In other words, prayer is nothing more than a person’s way of talking with God. About prayer...
The basis of the life of an Orthodox Christian is fasting and prayer. Prayer, said Saint Philaret of Moscow, “is a conversation between the soul and God.” And just as in a conversation it is impossible to listen to one side all the time, so in prayer it is useful to sometimes stop and listen to the Lord’s answer to our prayer.
Prayer does not require a specific time, place, circumstance or form. It can be verbose - long, and laconic - short. The prayer can be said at any time of the day or night, and anywhere. A person can pray under all circumstances of his life: when he is sick or healthy, when he is happy or sad, when he succeeds or fails, when he is in the company of his enemies or in the circle of his friends, when he is abandoned by everyone, or when he in the midst of your beloved family. But God’s temple serves as a special place of prayer. On Sundays, as well as on weekdays, if time permits, we should go to church to pray, where our brothers and sisters in Christ - Christians - gather to pray together, all together. This kind of prayer is called church prayer.
Every Orthodox Christian must pray daily, morning and evening, before and after eating food, before starting and at the end of any task (for example: before teaching and after teaching, etc.).
In the morning we pray to thank God for preserving us last night, to ask for His Fatherly blessing and help for the day that has begun.
In the evening, before going to bed, we also thank the Lord for a successful day and ask him to keep us during the night.
Before and after meals we pray to thank God for His gifts and ask Him to bless and sanctify the food.
In order for the work to be done successfully and safely, we must also, first of all, ask God for blessings and help for the upcoming work, and upon completion, thank God.
Unfortunately, many people forget about the necessity and importance of prayer, and resort to it only in cases of feeling hopeless. However, even in these cases, as practice shows, God does not forget about the person and gives him his love and support. But not a single prayer will bring anything good to a person if he simply reads it without thinking about what is said. Therefore, it is extremely important, when turning to the Creator in prayer, to truly feel every word.
God is the best of interlocutors; he will always hear a person and help him. You should not be embarrassed to talk to God even about the most secret things that are in your soul. The main thing is to do it with true faith in God.
“True prayer does not consist in words and saying them, but true prayer consists “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). When we pray to God, we must stand before Him not only in body, but also in spirit; and say prayer not only with your lips, but also with your mind and heart; and not only bow our heads and knees, but also our hearts before Him; and raise our intelligent eyes to Him with humility. For all prayer must come from the heart; and what the tongue says, the mind and heart must say.” Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk.
And no matter what happens during the day, everything happens according to the will of God; all, without exception, are circumstances in which the Lord wished to place you, so that you could be His presence, His love, His compassion. His creative mind, His courage... And, besides, whenever you encounter this or that situation, you are the one whom God put there to carry out the ministry of a Christian, to be a part of the Body of Christ and the action of God. If you do this, you will easily see that sometimes you will have to turn to God and say: “Lord, enlighten my mind, strengthen and direct my will, give me a fiery heart, help me!” At other times you will be able to say, “Oh my God, thank you!”
In the Christian catechism, that is, in the instruction on the Christian faith, it is said about prayer this way: “Prayer is the offering of the mind and heart to God and is a person’s reverent word to God.” Prayer has extraordinary power. “Prayer not only defeats the laws of nature, not only is it an insurmountable shield against visible and invisible enemies, but it even holds back the hand of the Almighty God Himself, raised to defeat sinners,” writes Saint Demetrius of Rostov.
In the New Testament, prayer is a living connection between the children of God and their infinitely good Father, with His Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit. The grace of the Kingdom is “the unity of the entire Holy Trinity with the entire spirit.” Thus, prayer life is a constant and natural presence in the presence of the Trisagion of God and in communion with Him. Such vital communion is always possible because through baptism our being has become one with Christ. Prayer is Christian because it is communion with Christ and grows in the Church, which is His Body. Its dimensions are the dimensions of Christ's love.
“Prayer is not telling God our needs. Prayer is the condition under which Divine power can contact our spirit and act in us. God is omniscient and knows us better than we know ourselves.” Archimandrite Rafail (Karelin) (XX century).
Life of a Saint
John of Kronstadt was born into a noble family, where there were many priests. The boy was born with very poor health, and his parents were afraid that they would not have time to baptize him. It was for this reason that he was baptized before the 40th day and given a name in honor of John of Rila. The future reverend saw an Angel as a child and loved to read, but exact sciences were not easy for him. The parents did not live well, so they were able to send their child to study at a parish school, in which John experienced real torment - teaching was not easy for him, but one day after prayer his thoughts became clear and John began to study well.
Soon his father died and the child had to look for income for his loved ones. Thanks to his beautiful handwriting, he was hired as a clerk, and he managed to feed not only his family, but also himself. John of Kronstadt became a candidate of theology, and then, after some time, a priest. He grew up to be a very literate and educated man who was engaged in educational work, since at that time there were many false teachings about the church and free interpretations of the teachings of Jesus Christ.
In Kronstadt at that time there were many people expelled from the capital - tramps, drunkards, debauchees and criminals who did not give a peaceful life to the ordinary population. It was their enlightenment and help that the saint, who was married, but remained celibate for the sake of Christ, was engaged in. His wife Elizabeth helped him in many matters, but soon the future saint discovered the gift of healing and preaching - many of his words came true. John quickly gained popularity and even at court he was accepted and listened to his advice. It is for this reason that prayer to John of Kronstadt for help helps many people if it is sincere and accompanied by repentance.
Holy Fathers on Prayer
“Prayer is a great weapon, an unfailing treasure, wealth that never runs out, a serene haven, a foundation of peace; prayer is the root, source and mother of countless blessings and is more powerful than royal power.” St. John Chrysostom.
“Prayer in its rank is higher than alms.” St. Isaac the Syrian.
“Prayer is the emergence in our hearts of one after another reverent feelings towards God.” St. Feofan, the Recluse of Vyshensky.
“During prayer, let our speech and supplication be combined with decorum, calmness and modesty. Let us think about the fact that we stand before the face of God and that we must please the eyes of God both by the position of the body and the sound of the voice.” Sschmch. Cyprian of Carthage.
“You must abstain from marital affairs in order to engage in prayer; to abstain from worries about wealth, from the desire for earthly glory, from the enjoyment of pleasures, from envy and every evil deed against our neighbor, so that when our soul is in silence and not disturbed by any passion, in it, as in a mirror, God’s purity and uncloudedness will be insight." St. Basil the Great.
“When starting a prayer, leave yourself, your wife, your children, part with the earth, pass through heaven, leave every creature visible and invisible, and begin by praising Him who created everything, and when you praise Him, do not wander your mind here and there, do not talk about fabulous things. pagan, but choose words from the Holy Scriptures.” St. Basil the Great.
“Every place and every time is convenient for us to pray.” St. John Chrysostom.
Orthodox prayers to the holy saints. Holy saints of God.
Orthodox prayers for those in need for various needs and infirmities.
When and how is the best time to pray?
It is best to read prayers alone, when all the work is done, no one bothers you or distracts you from communicating with God. It is important to read a prayer about learning either before completing an assignment, or in the evening on the eve of an exam - the most important thing is to do this with concentration and think about prayer, and not about the exam or a strict teacher.
A prayer for health can be read in the circle of relatives, with them. It is important at this time not to be distracted in order to fully concentrate on the prayer text and read sincerely, with soul.
John of Kronstadt hears any prayers, helps everyone who prays sincerely, but you should not count on a miracle - sometimes the Lord gives tests that seem beyond our power, but in fact they are necessary for a certain development and experience. It is important that the Lord does not abandon anyone and hears everyone who turns to His saints sincerely and without falsehood and invisibly grants His help to everyone.
What a Christian Should Remember
There are words of Holy Scripture and prayers that it is advisable to know by heart.
1. The Lord's Prayer “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4). 2. The main commandments of the Old Testament (Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18). 3. The main gospel commandments (Matt. 5, 3-12; Matt. 5, 21-48; Matt. 6, 1; Matt. 6, 3; Matt. 6, 6; Matt. 6, 14-21; Matt. 6, 24-25; Matthew 7, 1-5; Matthew 23, 8-12; John 13, 34). 4.Symbol of Faith. 5. Morning prayers and evening prayers according to a short prayer book. 6. The number and meaning of the sacraments.
The sacraments must not be mixed with rituals. A ritual is any outward sign of reverence that expresses our faith. A sacrament is a sacred act during which the Church calls on the Holy Spirit, and His grace descends on the believers. There are seven such sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Communion (Eucharist), Repentance (Confession), Marriage (Wedding), Blessing of Anointing (Unction), Priesthood (Ordination) ...
