Jesus Prayer Archives - Page 2 of 5

The Seventh Day of Christmas. The Holy Name.

12/31/2021

By Fr. Stephen Freeman, January 3, 2017 In 1913, a small Russian fleet landed a contingent of soldiers who forcibly removed a group of Russian monks from Mount Athos. This action came at the end of a stormy controversy surrounding the name of God. The monks were known as the Imyaslavsy (“Name worshippers”) and were following ideas that had been promulgated in a text published in 1907. That work, On the Caucasus Mountains, written by the staretz, Schemamonk

The Workplace. Other People’s Sins.

11/02/2021

The workplace can be a place for spiritual growth By Abbot Tryphon, December 29, 2019 Balancing the spiritual life with the workplace can be quite challenging. Our work day should begin with prayer, and should be planned with the help and guidance of one’s spiritual father, priest or confessor. If we have children, we should get up an hour early, so we have plenty of time for prayer before getting them breakfast and sending them

Self-Emptying Prayer

10/11/2021

By Fr. Stephen Freeman, February 29, 2016 We are told that Christ “emptied Himself” in His death on the Cross (Philippians 2:5-11). Further, we are told that this self-emptying is to be the “mind” that we ourselves have. It is possible to grasp that such self-emptying can be practiced in our dealings with others when we place them above ourselves – when the “other” is our greater concern. But how is this possible in prayer?

The Sixth Tuesday of Great Lent. Our Struggle for Repentance. Ask for Repentance

04/20/2021

Our Struggle for Repentance Ask for repentance in your prayer and nothing else By Abbot Tryphon, September 5, 2020 The first step in becoming truly repentant is found in a heartfelt contrition before God for our sins. Saint Paul tells us that we must “Pray without ceasing (Thessalonians 5:17)”, and the Church Fathers saw this as the basis for the use of the Jesus Prayer – “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on

Third Monday of Pascha: Is the Hospital Closed?

05/04/2020

By Abbot Tryphon, April 3, 2020 How do we find healing when we think the hospital of the soul is closed? Orthodoxy offers a very precise way in which to enter into communion with God. It is a way that must be learned, for simply “becoming Orthodox” will not lead the seeker into an inner life that will transform, and enlighten. Membership in the Church is simply not enough, for the Church is not about

Prayer of the Heart in an Age of Technology and Distraction, Part 17

02/19/2020

By Fr. Maximos (Constas) There have been times when I was in line to receive Communion, and some of the most horrible, dark, even blasphemous thoughts came into my mind. Is that me? Why would I think such things, that I’d never thought before in my life, when my entire self is concentrated on receiving Communion? It breaks my heart even to know that I had such thoughts. I feel so bad that I have

Prayer of the Heart in an Age of Technology and Distraction, Part 16

02/12/2020

By Fr. Maximos (Constas) If I sit down to say the Jesus Prayer I will very quickly have certain kinds of thoughts running through my mind, usually very simple distractions such as “I think I left the oven on! I should leave my prayer and go check,” or “I forgot to call my mother,” or “I just got a great idea for a sermon!” All these superficial distractions are the first thing that happens to

Prayer of the Heart in an Age of Technology and Distraction, Part 15

02/05/2020

By Fr. Maximos (Constas) The Church knows of no better way to abide in Jesus than to invoke His name constantly, and thereby also invoke and be in His presence. What better way to abide in Christ and become a tabernacle for the Divine Name, to have Him abiding in you and you abiding in Him? Is the point to accumulate wisdom, data about theology and Church history, or is the point to become transparent to Wisdom? I

Prayer of the Heart in an Age of Technology and Distraction, Part 14

01/28/2020

By Fr. Maximos (Constas) As we begin to enter into the practice of the Jesus Prayer to engage the presence of the Spirit within ourselves we began to encounter both passing and deeper, recurring thoughts that work to distract us from calling upon the name of the Lord. What is the origin of these thoughts, and what do they show us about ourselves and how we interact with the world? How does the Church teach

Prayer of the Heart in an Age of Technology and Distraction, Part 13

01/22/2020

By Fr. Maximos (Constas) I’d like to say a few words about the breathing practices that are associated with the Jesus Prayer because I think this is one of the most misunderstood things. People sometimes warn people about this, which I don’t agree with. As we’ve said over and again, it’s not easy to free ourselves from distractions. One priest friend said we can’t even say one single Jesus Prayer without being distracted. How wretched

Archive

The Seventh Day of Christmas. The Holy Name.

The Workplace. Other People’s Sins.

Self-Emptying Prayer

The Sixth Tuesday of Great Lent. Our Struggle for Repentance. Ask for Repentance

Third Monday of Pascha: Is the Hospital Closed?

Prayer of the Heart in an Age of Technology and Distraction, Part 17

Prayer of the Heart in an Age of Technology and Distraction, Part 16

Prayer of the Heart in an Age of Technology and Distraction, Part 15

Prayer of the Heart in an Age of Technology and Distraction, Part 14

Prayer of the Heart in an Age of Technology and Distraction, Part 13

Categories

Archives

View Our Live Stream Services

Keep In Touch

Stewardship Application

Daily Meditations

Worship Schedule

Light a Virtual Candle

Text-to-Give in 2 easy steps!

1) Text 202-899-7801 to include your donation amount

2) Follow the link to complete the one-time registration