During one of our meetings he said to me: “Why did God advise us to pray without ceasing? Is it because he perhaps wants us to “sit up and beg” before him? No, God does not want that. God wants us to benefit. He knows that when we glorify him, with our free will, like the angels, continually, day and night, our soul is truly given rest because our true interests lie there.”
Category: Prayer
The extraordinary reality of St Porphyrios’ prayers!
We have heard from many people that they felt Papouli’s prayer as serenity and solace, as relief and happiness, as a sense of bliss and peace, something that drove away every trouble and anguish, something that caused a feeling of safety and assurance, and a disposition to praying and glorifying God.
Fr Mikhail Ibrahim – “The man of prayer”
Introduction Fr. Mikhail was born Mikhail Ibrahim Youssef on April 20, 1899. He was born in the village of Kafr Abdu, Quisna situated north of Cairo. He was one of five sons. His parents taught them the life of prayer, prostrations, and humility. Fr. Girgis, the priest of the church in Kafr Abdou, influenced young… Continue reading Fr Mikhail Ibrahim – “The man of prayer”
A prayer rule by St. Theophan the Recluse
A prayer rule for one who is on the path of a God-pleasing lifeYou ask about a prayer rule. Yes, it is good to have a prayer rule on account of our weakness so that on the one hand we do not give in to laziness, and on the other hand we restrain our enthusiasm… Continue reading A prayer rule by St. Theophan the Recluse
St John’s spiritual trajectory
Here is what St. John says of himself in the above-mentioned “Homily”: After being ordained a priest and pastor, I soon learned from personal experience with whom I was entering into combat in my spiritual field of endeavor – specifically, with the strong, cunning, indefatigable prince of this world, who breathed evil, destruction and the… Continue reading St John’s spiritual trajectory
Our fervent and heartfelt prayers, and deep love for each other, attracts the angels to us
In 1995, I was in Jerusalem during the holy fifty days* that follow Lent. I saw your convent, the convent of the Martyr Abi Seifein, in a vision. I saw the Martyr standing by the entrance and next to him was Pope Kyrillos VI. I also found children and many saints, thousands and thousands of them entering the convent while dressed in white. Their faces were white and in light, and they looked like foreign children.
How St Kyrillos saved the life of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas I
Fr Kyrillos Massoudi, parish priest of St Mary’s Syriac Orthodox Church in Egypt, relates:Let me tell you a story. I have been extremely blessed and honoured to have witnessed a giant pillar of faith, wisdom and joy for three years as a personal disciple to the great saint and hero among the fathers Patriarch Ignatius Zakka… Continue reading How St Kyrillos saved the life of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas I
The kingdom of heaven is within you
Many times at night, when chanting the Psalmody and particularly when commemorating the saints, Tamav would find the cell expanding and filled with light. Then there would appear all the martyrs and saints headed by the Mother of God. They would continue chanting the Psalmody with her until the very end of it. We used… Continue reading The kingdom of heaven is within you
Prayer is everything in our life
Author: Mother EriniHow did all the saintly fathers reach holiness? They worked hard and struggled. They went through many wars in their lives and suffered a lot, but they were armed and strengthened by the power of prayer. When one loves God from all one's heart and prays deeply, their spirit gets very strong and… Continue reading Prayer is everything in our life
The life of prayer
Author: Mother Erene The life of prayer The life of prayer is beautiful and gives us joy and peace. It is a key by which we open heaven and get what we want from God according to His will. Prayer is our relationship with God and the only door through which we can enter Paradise… Continue reading The life of prayer
The Art of Orthodoxy 