Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
St. Theophan the Recluse

A Prayer Rule

A prayer rule for one who is on the path of a God-pleasing life. You 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 to its proper measure. The greatest p... Read More
St. Theophan the Recluse

On prayer, Homily 1

On the feast day of the Entrance into the Temple of the Most-holy Theotokos, I find it timely to give you instruction in prayer - the main work of the temple. A temple is a place of prayer and arena of prayer's development. For us, entry into the temple is entry into a prayerful spirit. The Lord has... Read More
St. Theophan the Recluse

On prayer, Homily 2

Yesterday I showed you one method of establishing a prayerful spirit in yourselves [see homily 1], namely, how to pray in a way which corresponds to the meaning of the prayers. But this is only the beginning of the art (science) of prayer and it is necessary to go further. Consider the study of lang... Read More
St. Theophan the Recluse

On prayer, Homily 3

I have explained to you briefly two aspects or two levels of prayer, namely: prayer which is read, when we pray to God with the prayers of others, and one's mental prayer, where we ascend mentally to God through contemplation of God, dedicating all to God, and often crying out to Him from our hearts... Read More
St. Theophan the Recluse

On prayer, Homily 4

Three times I have spoken to you about prayer{footnote}See the preceding homilies: 1, 2, and 3.{/footnote}: about how to read prayers with attention, about how to ascend to God mentally and in your heart, and how to stand constantly before God with a burning spirit. The Lord instructed us in various... Read More
St. Theophan the Recluse

The Three Powers of the Soul and Their Curative Exercises

In the soul we find three powers: the intellect, the will, the heart, or, as the Holy Fathers say, the intellectual, desiring and incensive powers. Each of them is assigned particular curative exercises by the holy ascetics. These related exercises are both receptive and conducive to grace. They nee... Read More
St. Theophan the Recluse

The Three Powers of the Soul and Their Curative Exercises - Part 2

Church services, that is, all the daily services, together with the entire arrangement of the church's icons, candles, censing, singing, chanting, movements of the clergy, as well as the services for various needs; [2] then services in the home, also using ecclesiastical objects such as sanctified i... Read More

Group of Brands