Brief Hiatus

Hello All,

Just wanted to give you the heads up that it'll be a few days before I get another post up. Not only am I studying, researching, reflecting on, and praying over what to post next, but I've also got a few good sized prayer rope orders that I'm working to fill. I'm currently working on finishing up a 300 knot rope (that's right 300!!!), and afterwards will be making a knotted Lestovka. I plan on posting more photographs and writing up some new posts, but just need to catch up with orders first. :) So I should be back on in a few days, ready to post some more photos and articles. In the meantime, I'll be on the lookout for some other audio lectures, articles, videos, and the like to share. God bless you all.

ICXC + NIKA,
Phillip

Lessons from My Mother

In my own journey to discover what it means to pray "with the heart" or "with the mind in the heart" I'm led further and further back into my own past, recalling things my mother (may her memory be eternal) used to say to me about prayer. But let me first say a few things about my mother. She was a simple woman who's faith was simple. She never went to college, having married my dad at the age of seventeen or eighteen, shortly after their high school graduation. Mom was a country girl until the day she died. She was raised in a small rural community in southeastern Indiana, moving to a small town on the Indiana-Ohio boarder after marrying my dad, and eventually moving "up in the hills" of rural Indiana just above the Ohio River valley.

I remember mother taking my brother and sister and I to daily Mass and weekly Adoration/Benediction as I was growing up. My brother and I served the Mass almost every day for nearly ten years before we went off to college. Participation in the Sacramental life of the Church was one of the greatest gifts my mom gave us, and it always situated our prayer life solidly within the life of the Church. Of course, all of the great mystics of East and West speak of the necessity of participation in the Sacraments in order to grow in prayer. But my mother wouldn't have known that, not being quite the avid reader of the writings of the saints that I am. She was just doing what came naturally, what seemed most obvious, what made the most sense. If you want to learn how to pray, then you have to learn to pray with Christ, with His Body the Church. That means going to Mass/Divine Liturgy regularly, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, going to Confession, etc., etc., etc. In her simple yet profound approach to the Faith, my mother was able to see this, and to impart it to her children.

But one thing that has really been sticking out to me lately is something that she said in regards to private prayer. I mentioned this in a previous post, but I think it's worth mentioning again and delving into a little deeper. In order to really pray, my mother always said, you have to pray as though whomever you are praying to is standing right before you. If you are praying to Christ Jesus, pray as though He's standing right in front of you and you're talking directly to Him. Do the same if you are praying to the Ever-Virgin Mary, or to your favorite saint, your guardian angel, etc.

This theme has sort of resonated with me throughout my entire spiritual journey. I remember meeting once with the famous Franciscan author and lecturer, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. In many of his lectures he speaks of talking with "good friends" of his, not revealing their names at first, but later revealing that these "good friends" are saints to whom he had a particular devotion. Inspired by his lead, I started talking to some of my favorite saints as though I were talking to a dear and very close friend. I've often referred to St. Francis of Assisi as my best and closest friend because I've had a life-long devotion to him - I cannot remember a time when I did not love St. Francis.

A friend and close confidant of mine in college also spoke to me about his prayer life. His honesty and openness in approaching God was astounding and inspiring. He would go in front of the Blessed Sacrament and simply unload his problems, concerns, frustrations, joys, etc. in language that he would use in everyday conversation with his friends. So often when we pray privately we try to sugar coat ourselves and our prayer, thinking it inappropriate to simply open up to our Abba, our loving Father, and let him know in the most honest way what is going on with us. St. Theophan the Recluse says: "The work of God is simple: it is prayer - children talking to their Father, without any subtleties. When we speak to God, there is no use in being subtle, in beating around the bush, in sugarcoating anything. He knows us, our problems, our needs, our concerns. All we need do is simply open up to Him, unburden ourselves, and then allow Him to show us His love.

Pray as though Christ (or Mary, your guardian angel, or your favorite saint) is standing right in front of you. As I mentioned in a previous post, this was also the advice given by a Ukrainian Orthodox nun in the film The Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer. But it is advice that we can apply to all prayer, not just the Jesus Prayer. And it is advice that teaches us how to "descend with the mind into the heart." When we are speaking with friends, we don't really think about what we're saying to one another. We speak from the heart. We enjoy each other's company whether we are talking or sitting in silence. The conversations may go where they will, but ultimately the conversation isn't the point of being with our friend. The point is communion, sharing one another's company and in that way participating in the life of one another.

There is a wonderful story from the life of St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars. St. John observed that a certain elderly farmer spent a great deal of time in the church praying. This went on for some time before St. John finally approached the old man and asked him what he said to Christ during all of his long hours of prayer. The old man replied simply, "I say nothing. I just sit and look at Him and He looks at me." Loving attentiveness to the other. That's what friendship is about, and that's what prayer is about.

But let's look to the writings of one of my favorite Eastern Fathers for further illumination. St. Theophan the Recluse says: "As you recite the Jesus Prayer, try at the same time to quicken your realization that Our Lord Himself is near, that He stands in your soul and listens to what is happening within it... And then cry out to Him whom in your thoughts you see before you: 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me.' ...Let the Jesus Prayer be on your tongue; let God's presence be before your mind; and in your heart let there be the thirst for God, for communion with the Lord" (emphasis mine).

In her simple yet profound faith, this was the lesson that my mother taught me as a child. I only hope and pray that this lessons sinks more deeply into my heart, and that I am one day able to pray truly as both she and the saints taught. May her memory be eternal. And may her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

64 Knot Mequtaria

The 64 knot Coptic/Ethiopian Mequtaria has a knot for each year that the Virgin Theotokos is believed in the East to have lived on earth (the West believes she lived 72 years). Here are a couple of photographs of a 64 knot Mequtaria that I recently made. It's available for sale to anyone who's interested. Price is $35.00.

Car Crosses

Here are three car Crosses that a friend ordered from me. If anyone else is interested, I'm charging $10.00 apiece. :)

Lots of Russian Style Ropes

Here are just a bunch of pictures of various styles of Russian prayer ropes (chotki or vervitsa) that I've made recently.

Silence/Stillness vs. Solitude

As a country boy turned city dweller I often long for the quiet and solitude that country life affords one. I went from living on a twelve acre farm, surrounded by dense woods, rolling hills, and hey fields, where my closest neighbor on either side was "across the field," to living in a twelve story apartment building right along a major road. My dad has often observed that the firetrucks, ambulances, and police cars sound like they're driving right through my apartment as they pass by on the adjacent highway.

My question over the years since I've moved here has been: With all the noise around me, how is it possible to acquire solitude and inner silence in order to focus on prayer? The answer has come slowly, and I'm honestly just beginning to formulate something solid.

Recently I've taken to reading some of the works of the servant of God, Catherine de Hueck Doherty. Catherine led a long and very interesting life, but for our purposes here it is sufficient to know that she was a Russian Orthodox who converted to Catholicism (whether Eastern or Roman Catholicism is unclear to me) and sought to share the treasures of Eastern/Russian spirituality with the West.

In her book on silence, Molchanie (the Russian word for "silence"), Catherine had this to say: "Solitude usually walks with silence, but silence does not need solitude. Silence possesses solitude in itself. He who enters the depths of God's heart leaves solitude at his door, because God envelops him. Solitude is a way to silence... Solitude prepares a person for silence." (emphasis mine)

This is very consistent with writings of the Fathers on solitude and silence, but it put the matter in terms that I found rather applicable to our modern urban and suburban situation. We may be constantly surrounded by noise and people, but that does not mean that we cannot possess inner silence, stillness, or as they call it in Greek hesychia.

As noted by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware in his wonderful work The Inner Kingdom, there are several ever-deepening levels to hesychia, starting with the most exterior and working their way ever inward. According to him, and according to the writings of St. Theophan the Recluse, St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, and others, the external trappings of hesychia are primarily tools to achieve inner stillness. They are not indispensable. What is indispensable for the spiritual life is that we acquire inner silence or stillness - that stillness where all thoughts cease and we are able to focus on God in our hearts, standing there attentively before Him. How do we do this? Through the Jesus Prayer or any other short prayer, so long as we focus our attention on God.

In the movie The Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer an Ukrainian Orthodox nun tells us that we ought to pray as though God is standing right next to us. My own mother, when praying the family rosary, used to tell us to pray as though we were standing before the Blessed Mother or the throne of God. Other Church Fathers encourage us to cry out to God as a drowning person cries out ceaselessly for help until help arrives. These are all ways of saying the same thing; calling out to God with our mind in our heart, and standing attentively before Him there.

It is only when we learn to draw our minds into our hearts, and to stand there attentively before God that the various thoughts that jostle around in our minds will begin to settle. No amount of solitude can give us that inner silence. I am reminded of a story where an angel appeared to St. Antony of the Desert and revealed to him that there was a doctor living in the middle of a city who had acquired the same level of holiness that Antony himself had. I'm reminded also of a Coptic monk in The Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer who said that despite the fact that he spent months and months alone in a cave in complete solitude, that his mind would be so busy that he might as well be in New York City.

All of these sainted people say that in order to quiet our hearts and gain inner silence, it is not necessary to withdraw into complete solitude. What is necessary is that we acquire the habit of inner prayer. This is done only through hard work and absolute reliance on God's grace. One saint, I believe it was Thomas Aquinas, said that we should work as though everything relied on us, but pray as though everything relied on God. Ultimate silence/stillness is a gift from God that cannot be acquired through our own efforts, as St. Theophan says. But that gift is only given to those who show sincere desire for it. This is where the work of prayer comes in.

So let us prayer the Jesus Prayer unceasingly, persevering even during difficult times. Only then will our minds and hearts be stilled from all distraction and all the thoughts that jostle around within us. Only then can we "lay aside all earthly cares," as we sing in the Divine Liturgy, "that we may welcome the King of all... Alelluia!"

Prayer Rule of the Theotokos V: Rosary? Rule of the Theotokos? Jesus Prayer?

As I mentioned in my first post about the Prayer Rule of the Theotokos, most Eastern Catholics and Orthodox are unaware that this Rule not only exists, but that it is actually a very ancient tradition of the East. It is believed that the Mother of God gave this Rule to the Church some time in the 8th Century. I've heard speculation that the Dominican rosary is actually a Western adaptation of the Prayer Rule of the Theotokos, however this seems highly unlikely. At one point in time it seems that this Rule enjoyed an almost universal popularity. One spiritual son of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Fr. Zosima, claimed that at one time all Christians prayed this Rule daily. Eventually, however, it fell into disuse, and in our own day it has almost been restricted to the Holy Mountain, Mt. Athos, although there are some Eastern Catholics and even some Orthodox who pray the Dominican rosary.

Today most Orthodox and Eastern Catholics will say something along the lines of, "The closest thing we have to the rosary is the Akathist to the Mother of God (Theotokos). Indeed, the Catechism of the Catholic Church also implies as much in paragraph 2678, and in his wonderful book Theotokos: Mother of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Archbishop Joseph Raya also makes this same mistaken assertion. What is interesting to note the paragraph from the Catechism, however, is that it makes a direct liturgical connection between the Dominican rosary, the Akathist, and the Office of Paraklesis (another Byzantine hymn to the Mother of God). In the West, the rosary developed as a suitable substitute for the Liturgy of the Hours, particularly for those who were unable to attend the public celebration of the Liturgy of Hours for various reasons. It has, therefore, established itself within the weekly liturgical rhythm of the Roman Church, and it is recommended that one meditate on certain mysteries from the life of Christ and His Mother on certain days of the week.

In its explicitly liturgical connection as a suitable replacement for the Liturgy of the Hours, the rosary in many ways bears more similarities to the use of the Jesus Prayer in the East than it does to the Prayer Rule of the Theotokos. The Churches of the Byzantine tradition have recommended that one replace the Liturgy of the Hours with a certain number of Jesus Prayer repetitions when it is impossible or impractical to attend the public celebration of the Hours. Following the Greek usage, the Melkite Publican's Prayer Book recommends the follow: "It (the Jesus Prayer) may be used in place of the Horologion (Liturgy of the Hours), with the Jesus Prayer prescribed as follows: 300 for Matins, 150 for Vespers, 100 for Compline, and 50 for each Little Hour" (see page 52 of the Publican's Prayer Book). If memory serves me correctly, the Russians prescribe even more than that.

But as a private devotion the rosary and the Rule of the Theotokos are practically indistinguishable, except for the prescribe mysteries upon which to meditate. But since in the East there is such a large variation on this Rule, it would be perfectly acceptable to adopt the mysteries as recommended for the Dominican rosary. In fact, during the Baroque period it was not uncommon for the Orthodox in Kiev as well as in Greece to pray the Dominican rosary simply as another variation of the Rule of the Theotokos.

Before laying to rest the notion that the Akathist is the closest equivalent in the Byzantine East to the rosary, I would like to mention one more thing. In the West the rosary has been given a particular emphasis, especially since the visions at Fatima where the Blessed Virgin urged the people of the Church to pray the rosary daily, particularly for the conversion of the world. Many Easterners scoff at this saying, "That was a private revelation to the Roman Church and does not apply to us." I know because before learning about the Rule of the Theotokos I too held that same attitude. But according to the Encyclopedia of Orthodoxy (the translation again thanks to Dr. Alexander Roman), the Mother of God herself also recommended that the Rule of the Theotokos be kept among Easterners: "In accordance with a revelation of the Mother of God, the fulfillment of the Rule is more important than Akathists and those who fulfill it (the Rule) live under the special protection of the Queen of Heaven." Sound familiar? Saints such as Seraphim of Sarov also highly encouraged their spiritual children to devote themselves daily to this Rule.

So what do we do if we do not have the time, energy, and/or focus to pray the entire 150 "Hail, O Virgin Theotokos..." Prayer Rule? St. Seraphim of Sarov again recommends that one simply pray 50 at a time according to one's strength. Again, this bears a remarkable resemblance to the practice of the Roman West, where the rosary is now more associated with 50 "Hail Marys" than the entire 150 repetitions. St. Seraphim, however, does not recommend praying specific mysteries on specific days. In keeping with the weekly liturgical cycle of the Byzantine East, I recommend the following:

Monday - mysteries 1 - 5
Tuesday and Thursday - mysteries 4 - 8
Wednesday and Friday - mysteries 6 - 10
Saturday and Sunday - mysteries 11 - 15

I realize there's a great deal of overlap there, but when one understands the weekly rhythm of the Byzantine liturgical cycle, I think the overlap will come to make sense.

May the Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary spread her mantle over us and protect us from all danger, both physical and spiritual.

Prayer Rule of the Theotokos IV: The Encyclopedia of Orthodoxy

Here is one last variation of the Prayer Rule of the Theotokos. This is a reconstruction of the Rule as presented in the Russian Encyclopedia of Orthodoxy. I owe a great deal of gratitude to my dear friend, Dr. Alexander Roman, who provided the translation that enabled me to create this reconstruction. If anything on it is inaccurate, the fault is totally mine and does not reflect the excellent work that he does.

There are, of course, many other potential variations of the Prayer Rule of the Theotokos. The three variations I have now provided are meant to serve primarily as an illustration, and also to encourage others in the Byzantine tradition (both Catholic and Orthodox) to begin praying some variation of this important Rule. One can also taylor it to one's personal devotional preferences.

Prayer Rule of the Theotokos According to the Encyclopedia of Orthodoxy
I must give the credit for this to Dr. Alexander Roman, a dear friend of mine. He provided the translation from the Russian of the pertinent passages from the Encyclopedia of Orthodoxy that enabled me to reconstruct this complete Rule. The translation of the prayers, Troparia and Kontakia are those used by the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton and can be found either in their Horologion or in their magnificent “Publican’s Prayer Book.”


Introductory Prayers


In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: One God, unto ages of ages. Amen.


Glory to You, O our God, glory to You!


O Heavenly King, Consoler, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of Blessings and the Giver of Life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us of all stain and save our souls, O Good One!


Trisagion
Holy ✚ God! Holy Mighty One! Holy Immortal One! Have mercy on us! (Thrice with metanies)
Glory be to the Father ✚ and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.


All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive us our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, look upon us and heal our infirmities for Your Name’s sake.


Lord, have mercy! (thrice) Glory... both now and ever...


Our Father... For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory of the Father ✚ and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.


Come, let us worship God, our King, and bow down before Him. (Metany) Come, let us worship Christ God, our King, and bow down before Him. (Metany) Come let us worship Christ, our King and our God, and bow down before Him. (Metany)


Psalm 50(51)
Have mercy on me, O God, in the greatness of Your love; in the abundance of Your tender mercies wipe out my offense.

Wash me thoroughly from malice and cleanse me from sin, for I am well aware of my malice and my sin is before me always.


It is You alone I have offended, I have done what is evil in Your sight; wherefore You are just in Your deeds and triumphant in Your judgment.


Behold, I was born in iniquities and in sins my mother conceived me. But You are the Lover of Truth: You have shown me the depths of secrets of Your Wisdom.


Wash me with hyssop and I shall be pure, cleanse me and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear sounds of joy and feasting; the bones that were afflicted shall rejoice.


Turn Your face away from my offenses and wipe off all my sins. A spotless heart create in me, O God; renew a steadfast spirit in my breast.


Cast me not afar from Your face, take not Your Blessed Spirit out of me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and let Your guiding Spirit dwell in me.


I will teach Your ways to the sinners and the wicked shall return to You. Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, my saving God, and my tongue will joyfully sing Your justice.


O Lord, You shall open my lips and my mouth will declare Your praise. Had You desired sacrifice, I would have offered it, but You will not be satisfied with whole-burnt offerings.


Sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit: a crushed and humbled heart God will not spurn. In Your kindness, O Lord, be bountiful to Sion; may the walls of Jerusalem be restored.


Then will You delight in just oblation, in sacrifice and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer calves upon Your altar.


Creed
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible, and in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God; begotten of the Father before all ages: Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten, not made, of one Essence with the Father, through whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became Man; who was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; who rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; and ascended into Heaven and is enthroned at the right hand of the Father; who will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. In One, Holy, Catholic, and

Apostolic Church. I profess one Baptism for the remission of sins. O look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.


At the beginning of each decade, announce the Mystery being presented for consideration. Then:


Our Father...


Hail, O Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, for thou has borne the Savior of our souls! (10 times)


Followed by:

Open to us the doors of Mercy, blessed Mother of God (or Theotokos), so that we who hope in thee may not perish, but be saved by thee from troubles, for thou art the salvation of the Christian people.
Then the appointed Troparion.

1. 1)  Nativity of the Theotokos
   Your Nativity, O Mother of God, heralded joy to the whole universe, for from you rose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God. He cancelled the curse and poured forth His grace; He vanquished death and granted us eternal life.
   
2. 
   
3. 2)  Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
   Today is the prelude of the benevolence of God, and the announcement of the salvation of men. In the Temple of God the Virgin is seen openly, foretelling to all the coming of Christ. Wherefore, let us cry to her in a loud voice: “Hail, O Fulfillment of the Creator’s plan.
   
4. 
   
5. 3)  Death of Sts. Joachim and Anna
   Triumphant leader, to you belongs our prize of victory! And since you saved us from adversity, we offer you our thanks. We are your people, O Mother of God! But, as you have that invincible power, continue to deliver us from danger that we may cry out to you: Hail, O Virgin and Bride ever-pure!
   
6. 
   
7. 4)  Annunciation/Incarnation
   Today is the beginning of our salvation and the revelation of the Mystery that was planned from all eternity. The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces this grace. Let us join him in crying out to the Mother of God: “Hail, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!”
   
8. 
   
9. 5)  Meeting of the Theotokos and St. Elizabeth
   It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God. More honored than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, you who without stain did bear God the Word. You are truly Theotokos; we magnify you!
10. 
    
11. (One could also recite the Magnificat in place of the above)

6. 6)  Nativity of Christ
   Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Through it, those who had been star-worshippers learned through a star to worship You, O Sun of Justice, and recognize in you the One Who rises from on high; O Lord, glory to You!
   
7. 
   
8. 7)  Meeting in the Temple with Symeon
   Hail O Full of Grace, Virgin and Mother of God, from you has arisen the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, enlightening those who stand in darkness. You too O just elder Symeon, rejoice for you carried in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who grants us resurrection.
   
9. 
   
10. 8)  Flight into Egypt
    Triumphant leader, to you belongs our prize of victory! And since you saved us from adversity, we offer you our thanks. We are your people, O Mother of God! But, as you have that invincible power, continue to deliver us from danger that we may cry out to you: Hail, O Virgin and Bride ever-pure!
    
11. 
    
12. 9)  Finding of Christ in the Temple
    Triumphant leader, to you belongs our prize of victory! And since you saved us from adversity, we offer you our thanks. We are your people, O Mother of God! But, as you have that invincible power, continue to deliver us from danger that we may cry out to you: Hail, O Virgin and Bride ever-pure! 
13. 
    
14. 10) Crucifixion
15. The noble Joseph took down from the Tree Your spotless Body and wrapped it in pure linen with spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb.
16. 
    
17. 11) Resurrection
18. Christ is risen from the dead and by His death He has trampled upon Death, and has given life to those who were in the tombs!
19. 
    
20. 12) Ascension
21. You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Your Disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through Your blessing, they were confirmed in their belief that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the World!
22. 
    
23. 13) Pentecost/Descent of the Holy Spirit
24. Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who have filled the fishermen with wisdom by sending down the Holy Spirit upon them; and who through them have caught in Your net the whole world. O Lover of Mankind, glory to you!
25. 
    
26. 14) Dormition/Assumption
27. In giving birth, you have preserved your virginity, and in falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Mother of God. You have passed to Life being the Mother of Life; through your intercession, save our souls from death.
28. 
    
29. 15) Glorification of the Trinity
30. It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God. More honored than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, you who without stain did bear God the Word. You are truly Theotokos; we magnify you! 

Prayer Rule of the Theotokos III: St. Seraphim of Sarov's Rule

Following is St. Seraphim of Sarov's Rule of the Theotokos. One of the first things that you will notice is he doesn't offer any meditations or "mysteries" as does the previous rule and the Dominican rosary. In the next few days I wish to present even more about this venerable tradition. But for the moment this is as much as time will allow me. :)

St Seraphim of Sarov's method of praying the Rule of the Theotokos.

Recite the Our Father

"Open to us the doors of Mercy, blessed Mother of God, so that we who hope in Thee may not perish, but be saved by Thee from troubles, for You are the salvation of the Christian people."

Then St Seraphim divided his rule into fifteen decades of Hail Mary's with the above prayer "Open to us" said at the end of each decade (No further Our Father's).

At the end of each decade, the following 15 requests are also made:

1) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, save and protect all Orthodox Christians, increase their faith and repentance, and give repose to the dead in the eternal glory of our Lord.

2) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, save and reunite to the Orthodox Church thy servants who are lost and who are fallen away.

3) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, save and protect my spiritual Father and by his holy prayers have mercy on me a sinner.

4) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, assuage our sorrows and bestow joy on thy suffering and pained servants.

5) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, save me from all evil attacks.

6) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, help me so that everything I do will be for the glory of God and the service of my neighbours.

7) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, protect me from all evil and cover me with Thy Holy Omophorion (Mantle) of Protection.

8) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, resurrect my soul and grant me constant prayer to You.

9) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, help me obtain the mercy of Your Son and our Lord and grant me the grace of fervent and continual prayer.

10) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, pray our Lord Jesus Christ to have mercy on me a sinner, to forgive all my sins and save my sinful soul.

11) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, imbue me with Your love, strengthen me with Your faith, and enlighten my eyes that are darkened by sin.

12) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, save me from evil thoughts and grant me a mind and heart that strives after salvation.

13) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, send me peace of soul and health in body.

14) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, grant me an untroubled and peaceful end and lead my soul through the terrible toll-houses.

15) O Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos, be for me, O Mother of God, an Unmoveable Wall and mighty intercession. Do not reject me a sinner, who is unworthy, who runs to your invincible Protection, for you are the hope of Christians and the refuge of sinners.

Then: It is truly meet and right to hymn Thee, the Birthgiver of God. Lady Ever-Blessed and Most Glorious and the Mother of Our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim Thou who without corruption gave birth to God the Word and art truly the Mother of God we magnify Thee, Magnify Thee. AMEN

Prayer Rule of the Theotokos II: St. Seraphim Zvezdinsky's Rule

Following is the Rule of the Theotokos according to St. Seraphim Zvezdinsky.

The Rule of the Mother of God


The usual Trisagion Prayers and the Symbol of the Faith are followed by the prayers of the Rule of the Mother of God, in which an opening prayer indicates the meditation for the following decade of Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God... prayers, which themselves are followed by closing personal prayers. Then follow an Our Father... and Open unto us... prayer prior to beginning of the next opening prayer for the next decade. The rule concludes with It is truly meet... and the usual closing for daily prayers.


In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God be merciful to me, a sinner.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, O Treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O come let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and dead. His kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets.
In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come.
Amen.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim Your praise.

First decade: Let us remember the birth of the Mother of God. Let us pray for mothers, fathers, and children.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy
womb, for thou hast borne the Savior of our souls. (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, save and preserve your servants (names of parents, relatives, friends), increase their
faith and repentance, and when they die give them rest with the saints in your eternal glory.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Open unto us the door of thy loving-kindness, O most blessed Mother of God. As we set our hope in thee, let us not be confounded, but through thee may we be delivered from all adversities. For thou art the salvation of the Christian race.
Second decade: Let us remember the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin and Mother of God. Let us pray for those who have lost their way and fallen away from the church.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, save and preserve and unite or re-unite to the Holy Orthodox Church your servants
who have lost their path and fallen away (names).
Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Third decade: Let us remember the Annunciation of the Blessed Mother of God. Let us pray for the soothing of sorrows and the consolation of those who grieve.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, soothe our sorrows and send consolation to your servants who are grieving and ill
(names).
Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Fourth decade: Let us remember the meeting of the Blessed Virgin with the righteous Elizabeth. Let us pray for the reunion of the separated, for those whose dear ones or children are living away from them or missing.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, unite your servants who are separated.
Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Fifth decade: Let us remember the Birth of Christ. Let us pray for the rebirth of souls, for new life in Christ. Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, grant unto me, who has been baptized in Christ, to be clothed in Christ. Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Sixth decade: Let us remember the Feast of the Purification of the Lord, and the words uttered by St. Simeon: Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also. Let us pray that the Mother of God will meet our souls at the hour of our death, and will contrive that we receive the Holy Sacrament with our last breath, and will lead our souls through the terrible torments.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)

After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, let me receive the Holy Sacrament with my last breath, and lead my soul yourself through the terrible torments.
Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Seventh decade: Let us remember the flight of the Mother of God with the God-Child into Egypt. Let us pray that the Mother of God will help us avoid temptation in this life and deliver us from misfortunes.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, help me avoid temptation in this life and deliver me from misfortunes.
Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Eighth decade: Let us remember the disappearance of the twelve-year old boy Jesus in Jerusalem and the sorrow of the Mother of God on this account. Let us pray, begging the Mother of God for the constant repetition of the Jesus Prayer.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, grant to me the unceasing Jesus Prayer.
Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Ninth decade: Let us remember-the miracle performed in Cana of Galilee, when the Lord turned water into wine at the words of the Mother of God: They have no wine. Let us ask the Mother of God for help in our affairs and deliverance from need.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, help me in all my affairs and deliver me from every need and sorrow.
Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Tenth decade: Let us remember the Mother of God standing at the Cross of the Lord, when grief pierced through her heart like a sword. Let us pray to the Mother of God for the strengthening of our souls and the banishment of despondency.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, strengthen my soul and banish my despair.
Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Eleventh decade: Let us remember the Resurrection of Christ and ask the Mother of God in prayer to resurrect our souls and give us new courage for spiritual feats.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, resurrect my soul and give me constant readiness for spiritual feats.
Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Twelfth decade: Let us remember the Ascension of Christ, at which the Mother of God was present. Let us pray and ask the Queen of Heaven to raise up our souls from earthly and worldly amusements and direct them to striving for higher things.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, deliver me from worldly thoughts and give me a mind and heart striving towards the salvation of my soul.

Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .

Thirteenth decade: Let us remember the Upper Room and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the Mother of God. Let us pray: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me (Psalm 51).
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, make me a clean temple in whichGod's Holy Spirit will ever dwell.
Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Fourteenth decade: Let us remember the Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God, and ask for a peaceful and serene end. Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, grant me a peaceful and serene end. Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
Fifteenth decade: Let us remember the glory of the Mother of God, with which the Lord crowned her after her removal from earth to heaven. Let us pray to the Queen of Heaven not to abandon the faithful who are on earth but to defend them from every evil, covering them with her honorable and protecting veil.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God . . . . (Ten times)
After: Our Lady, Blessed Mother of God, preserve me from every evil and cover me with your honorable protecting veil.
Our Father . . . . Open unto us . . . .
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure, and the Mother of God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (Three times.)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, our holy and God-bearing fathers, and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen. 

The Prayer Rule of the Theotokos I

In the next few posts I want to talk about, and present, an Eastern/Byzantine tradition that is largely unknown among Easterners; the Prayer Rule of the Theotokos. This prayer rule is effectively the Byzantine rosary and predates the Dominican rosary that is popular in the Roman Catholic Church. Many is the time that I've spoken with folks who were raised in the Byzantine Catholic tradition who have said something along the lines of, "We do not pray the rosary. The closest equivalent we have to the rosary is the Akathist of the Mother of God." In a certain sense, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church points out, this is true. But it's true only in the sense that the two - i.e. the rosary and the Akathist - have a directly liturgical connection. For all other intents and purposes the Prayer Rule of the Theotokos is the Byzantine equivalent to the rosary.

Unlike the rosary - and perhaps more similar to the Jesus Prayer -, the Rule of the Theotokos actually has several variations. In the posts that follow I will present only two such variations: that used by St. Seraphim Zvezdinsky and that used by St. Seraphim of Sarov. The rule according to St. Seraphim Zvezdinsky seems to be the more common and popular rule. It should be noted, however, that the rule itself can, and often does, vary from person to person.

Melkite/Antiochian 100 Knot Prayer Rope

A friend and customer of mine told me about the following setup for the Melkite/Antiochian prayer rope. It is divided into three sections of 33 knots each, representing both the Trinity and the 33 years of Our Lord's life. The final section has an extra knot to round out the even 100. Not having seen any photographs of a Melkite/Antiochian prayer rope, I wasn't sure if there was supposed to be a tassel. I do know, however, that the Muslim prayer beads known as the "Tesbih" or "Misbaha" have a tassel on them. Since both are of Arab origin, I decided to include a tassel on the Melkite/Antiochian prayer rope.

I'm sorry about these photographs. I used my kitchen floor as the backdrop and was shooting the photos at about 2:00 AM.

Greek Style 100 Knot Prayer Rope

Here are some photographs of a Greek style 100 knot prayer rope that I currently have in stock. Enjoy!

A Conversation With St. Seraphim On The Holy Spirit - Speaking the Truth in Love - Ancient Faith Radio

Here is the second part of Fr. Tomas Hopko's talk on the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. Here he goes into detail on the conversation between St. Seraphim of Sarov and Nicolas Motovilov.

A Conversation With St. Seraphim On The Holy Spirit - Speaking the Truth in Love - Ancient Faith Radio

Acquisition Of The Holy Spirit - Speaking the Truth in Love - Ancient Faith Radio

Christ is in our midst!!! It's Sunday again, so I thought I'd share a couple of podcasts from Ancient Faith Radio. The two podcasts I'm sharing today are given by Fr. Thomas Hopko, dean emeritus of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. They go hand in hand, so I thought it appropriate to post them both at once. It'll take about two hours of your time, but it'll be two hours well spent.

Fr. Tom speaks here of the goal of the Christian life, the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. This phrase, although it is actually an ancient phrase and concept, has been popularized more recently by St. Seraphim of Sarov in his now famous conversation with the layman, Nicolas Motovilov. If you haven't read the conversation, you ought to. It can be found in a number of places. I myself have two copies of it: one contained in St. Seraphim's volume of the Little Russian Philokalia available from St. Herman of Alaska Press; the other in the wonderful biography by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore entitles An Extraordinary Peace: St. Seraphim, Flame of Sarov.

Acquisition Of The Holy Spirit - Speaking the Truth in Love - Ancient Faith Radio

A Prayer Rule for Busy People

One thing wonderful about reading the lives and writings of the great spiritual fathers is that their vast experience, both on the individual and collective levels, provides wonderful advise for folks in any state of life. So often now I hear that everyone should be spending anywhere from three to six hours a day in prayer, dividing up one's prayer time in the morning and evening. The reality is that for the majority of us, this is simply impossible. The duties of family life and work alone make too many demands on our time.

Fortunately there are some simple solutions. St. Seraphim of Sarov, that great Russian mystic and elder of the 18th Century, recommended the following prayer rule for busy people. In the morning, after rising from sleep, simply stand before your icon corner (or your home altar if you are a Roman Catholic), focus your attention in your heart, and pray three "Our Fathers," three "Angelic Salutations/Hail Marys," and the Creed. Then go about your work in a prayerful way, doing all things for the glory of God, and repeating some form of the Jesus Prayer while you work. If you are in a large crowd and cannot focus on the Jesus Prayer, simply repeat "Lord, have mercy" as often as you can. At noon repeat the morning rule mentioned above. Then, if possible, repeat some prayer to the Mother of God: "Most holy Theotokos, save us," "Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of the Theotokos (Mother of God), have mercy on us," or the "Angelic Salutation/Hail Mary" (I will provide the Byzantine "Hail Mary" at the end of this post). Before bed again repeat the morning rule. It's as simple as that. St. Seraphim says that if we busy folk follow this simple rule it will be possible for us to achieve some level of holiness.

The wonderful thing about this simple rule as that one can add to it according to one's circumstances, abilities, and/or spiritual progress. In the morning and in the evening one could add on the Prayer Rule of St. Pachomius. Or if one wanted to follow the recommendation of repeating the Jesus Prayer in the morning and some prayer to the Mother of God in the evening, one could pray the Rule of St. Pachomius in the morning and the Prayer Rule of the Theotokos (Byzantine rosary) in the evening. The possibilities are limited only by the number of people engaging in the rule.

Another recommendation for prayer comes from St. Theophan the Recluse. If you haven't noticed by now, he's one of my favorite Eastern spiritual writers. He recommends that focus not so much on saying a set number of prayers in our morning and evening prayer rules, but rather that we set aside a certain period of time in our day in which to focus completely on our prayers. This time can be 10, 15, 20, or 30 minutes, or even an entire hour, according to our strength and our ability to focus our attention in the heart. I find that I personally can't go much beyond 20 minutes at a time, both because I'm a weak sinner who's mind wanders almost constantly, and because I have two children that demand a great deal of attention. But I'm sure most of you out there are much stronger than this poor sinner and could devote 30 minutes to an hour to prayer; and please remember me in your prayers while you're at it. :)

Byzantine "Hail Mary" (aka The Angelic Salutation
Hail Virgin Theotokos (Mother of God), Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne the Savior of our souls.

The Car Cross!!!

Here are some photos of a Cross intended to be hung from the rearview mirror of a car. The original intention was to attach a tassel on the Cross, but I felt it look rather silly.