Believers often ask for blessings from the priest. Why is this being done? What is the meaning of such an event? Yes, and how to ask for blessings from the priest, what to say? Let's talk in detail. It just won’t work out, because the matter is too important for the soul of a believer. There are no technical moments in religion that can be corrected casually, without having to think and reason over the essence. When figuring out how to correctly ask for blessings from the priest, it is necessary to understand the meaning of this action, why such a rule arose. It still does not interfere with understanding how following it affects the believer. This is what we'll do.

What is a blessing?

It is necessary to start from the philosophical side, understandable to any believer. We come to the temple to gain a constant connection with the Lord. It appears at the level of the heart. A person feels it as a unity with the Holy Spirit. Every action of a believer is directed towards mercy. In this sense, fellowship with those who serve the Lord is beneficial. Blessing is a special prayer. The father pronounces it for the one who asks. The text, as a rule, depends on the appeal of the person himself. That is why it is desirable to understand how to ask for blessings from the priest. After all, you can express your need in a general phrase, or specify it. The priest is responsible for his prayer. This means that he needs to understand the speaker. People often do not think about this side of the issue. Here pride is manifested, that is, confidence in one's own wisdom and rightness. But real religiosity lies in trust in the Lord. It also manifests itself when a parishioner asks for a blessing from the priest. Let's look at these points in more detail.

The meaning of tradition

Trying to figure out how to properly ask for blessings from the priest, you need to look into your soul. Why do you want the priest to pray for you? How can you describe the intention? The matter is not simple. After all, some need support, others need self-confidence, and others want to receive the help of the Lord. And these are different things. The believer always directs his labors towards the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. As Seraphim of Sarov taught, this must be done constantly. After all, the Holy Spirit is like earthly riches, only it is not material, therefore it is eternal. By accumulating, we create for ourselves a “heavenly capital”, which is more valuable than anything in the world. When we ask the priest for a blessing, we thereby express our intention to direct our efforts towards the acquisition of the Holy Spirit, that is, we designate the true goal of our activity. For example, many are interested in how to ask the priest for a blessing for a trip or a new job. The technique of the process is described below. It's not about her. To come to the idea of ​​addressing a clergyman, you need to realize a simple thing. What we are about to undertake is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit, that is, it is done for the sake of gaining grace. The goal of any activity of a believer is to become closer to the Lord, to take one more step along this road. And he devotes any business to God. Perhaps this is how the spiritual part of the answer to the question of how to ask for blessings from the priest should be formulated. Without deep reflection, the tradition itself loses its meaning. But there is another side to the problem.

About humility

Let's discuss why ask for blessings from the priest. Some say that this is customary in their parish, others try to explain how this will help in carrying out the intended work. However, the essence of the tradition is much deeper. The same Seraphim of Sarov often drew the attention of believers to such a sin as pride. We need to understand that all our abilities and talents are from God. Probably, we are gaining skills and experience ourselves, but only with his blessing. When we take on a new occupation, we try to rely on existing qualities. And this is not entirely correct, or rather, they should not be put at the forefront. Our first hope is the Lord. He will allow - a person will cope with his task, will be against it - everything will fail, no matter how talented he may be. The clergy develop this theme during sermons, the saints spoke about it. To forget the Lord, to rely only on one's own skills and abilities, is to show pride. It is not good for a believer to do this. Jesus spoke about humility. The Lord has measured out his own path for each, it should be accepted and passed. That is why they ask for the blessing of the priest, it is a kind of demonstration of spiritual humility. But only this feeling should be distinguished from devotion or respect for the clergyman himself. They have nothing in common. Through the prayer of the priest comes grace from the Lord. He is only an intermediary in these complex relationships. And even to accept his help means to show sincere humility.

About responsibility

In church literature it is written that blessing is a gift and an expression of Divine love. There are two participants in the process itself. Think for yourself why you need to ask for a blessing from the priest, what is its meaning, if you do not talk about your business? You need to understand: the one who gives the gift has a great responsibility before the Lord. The Father acts on His behalf. And how should he think, if the parishioner does not name the reason for the request, how to bless God knows for what? The priest is also responsible for his prayer to those who ask. He gives him the go-ahead for some kind of activity, opens the way to the goal. The clergy themselves describe their responsibility in different ways. Some say that it is not necessary to designate a target. This is practiced when the priest knows a member of the flock well. He is sure that he will not think of anything bad. If you have not yet established a trusting relationship with the clergyman, it is better to indicate the reason, at the same time you will understand what things you can ask for the blessing of the priest. Although the last question can be called empty. Batiushka will not refuse to talk, he will try to help deal with plans. But it doesn't always bless.

Practical Issues

We've dealt with philosophy a little. But this is still not quite the answer to the question of how to ask for blessings from the priest. People are interested in practice, that is, when to approach, what to say, and so on. We'll figure that out as well. The first thing to remember is that you don't need to tear a clergyman away from his work. Wait until the person is free. On the one hand, courtesy is necessary in this, as in any other communication, on the other hand, this is a serious event, although it takes a little time. If you see that the priest is free, then calmly head towards him. Take your time, give him time to notice you. In the meantime, think again about whether it is possible to ask the blessing of the priest in your particular situation. If you are not sure, just ask the clergyman a question on this topic. For example, there is no doubt that a new job, travel, marriage, matchmaking, childbirth, study are good deeds. The priest, as a rule, does not refuse their blessing. But is it worth asking to pray for a party, for example? Does it make sense for the priest to bless for entertainment? The last two sentences are not statements, they are questions. People's situations are different. They need to be thought about. Another example: let’s say you don’t want to have an operation for which there are all medical indications, how to ask the priest’s blessing for refusal? Will he give it? After all, the responsibility is very great! In each specific case, it is necessary to understand in detail, preferably with the confessor himself.

What to do and say?

Don't forget one more thing: look at yourself in the mirror when you go to the temple. You must dress modestly. This does not mean the absence of cosmetics or jewelry, if you are used to both. Clothing should show your state of humility and modesty, that is, be decent, not defiant. A rule that is now considered unnecessary... However, the internal state is always reflected outside, including in outfits. Approaching the priest, bow, stretch out your hands clasped together, palms up. At the same time, it is necessary to say this: "Father, bless on ...". That is all that is required of the believer. The priest will appreciate your request. No matter how quickly he reacts, this person never forgets from responsibility. If the request seems normal to him, he will cross his hands, folding his fingers in a special way. His answer is: "God bless you." This is a short prayer for just such an occasion. Sometimes the priest calls on God: "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Prayer may be different, appropriate for your case. Listen carefully and humbly.

What to do next?

This traditional communication does not end there. The priest blesses the person with a prayer and a hand (baptizes). The next step is to express gratitude to him. It is customary to take his hand in yours and kiss it. For people who rarely go to the temple, such behavior can be disconcerting. Be sure to listen to your feelings. If there is discontent inside that you need to kiss your hand, then pride speaks louder than conscience. One conclusion follows from this: we must pray for humility. Apparently, you are not yet ready to receive the blessing of the Lord. In fact, this is a rather serious moment. Monks, for example, ask for blessings for almost every deed. These people decided to work with their souls, to go to the Lord with all their might. They need to take an example from them. When you talk to a priest, you should see him as a messenger of the Lord, and not an ordinary person. He also conveys to you the highest value that we can receive on earth - the gift of Divine love. By the way, sometimes the priest asks about the details of the case for which you are asking for a blessing. Need to tell. He is not interested out of curiosity - as already said, he has a great responsibility.

How to ask for blessings from the priest for childbirth?

There are women who are desperately afraid of the upcoming sacrament of the birth of a baby. Funny, is not it? Where will the baby go if mom doesn't let him out? Being nervous in such a situation is not only unproductive, but also dangerous. That is why women go to the temple, asking the priest for blessings. It calms and sets in a constructive way. Everything must be done as described above. Just remember the modesty and sincerity of faith. To be afraid of childbirth means to show unbelief, to refuse the Lord. He has already blessed you to conceive, even if you didn't ask. Without His will, nothing happens in this world. When you turn to the priest, he answers with a special prayer for a favorable permission. It turns out that the woman is no longer alone in her care, but together with the Lord. It helps a lot. It’s good to put candles for health, yours and your baby. And nothing that he has not been baptized yet. The Lord will still support His child. And when the father blessed, you need to throw away your fears. Prayer helps believers. Women are recommended to see how much time and effort they spend on experiences, and devote it to turning to the Lord or the Virgin. All the same, you are not doing anything productive, so it is better to pray, casting aside pride. So it will become easier, and the child inside will stop worrying, feeling mother's fears.

Why dream of asking for a blessing from the priest?

The soul of a person is always aspiring to the Lord, even if his ego resists. Sometimes she gives some signs in a dream, pushing for reflection. If you were not going to the temple, then the plot with the priest hints at the need to consult with your conscience. It is no secret that we sometimes do not the most moral deeds, they harm others. Someone is offended, another is angry, the third is angry, as a result, we try to break loose on relatives or colleagues. A pure soul in dreams suggests that this is not necessary. When you harm another, you worry yourself. The priest in night vision is a sign of a conscience that fears suffering. She does not whisper in this way, but already screams that it is time to reevaluate her behavior, change her attitude towards a problem or a person. Who or what specifically in question- you have to figure it out on your own. But such a dream cannot be missed. Be sure to reflect on its meaning. Sometimes it has a different purpose. The Lord, through sleep, tells you what to do in the near future. Remember what you wanted to receive a blessing for. This is what you should make your main concern.

You know, sometimes it can be so difficult to understand yourself, to understand what is important and what you need to give up ... This is the most common state for a person. But to remain at a loss for life is to waste it in vain. Probably, this is the very case when it is necessary as an air blessing. After all, our first task is to understand why they appeared in the world, how to make it better in the name of the Lord. What do you think? You never asked for a blessing from the priest, here is a reason for you to get your first experience. It is all the more useful for those who strive to go to the Lord, to acquire the Holy Spirit. Believe me, you don’t need to look for information on the network about how and what to do, but to talk about it. And do not think that the priest will not understand or refuse to listen. The flock is his most important concern on earth. Be sure to listen and help, prompt, advise.

What does it mean to take a blessing from a priest for some work? Theoretically, having conceived something good, a person asks the priest to call on God's grace to accomplish his plan. In fact, the Lord Himself, with a blessing, descends to the very heart of a person, correcting him for the better.

In practice, this custom sometimes undergoes various mutations. Someone is inclined to perceive the blessing as magic: received - everything came true, did not receive - went to dust. As if on cue. Only now you need to chase the pike, and the priest is easier to catch.

- Father, bless the dacha to sell!

- A? What? God bless! the shepherd rushed by, rustling his cassock.

And more was not needed. The blessing will “work”, they will buy a dacha, which means that this priest is strong, you can still approach him with the necessary things. Well, if it doesn’t “work”, knowing has neither the power nor the proper boldness before God. However, this does not mean that the priest is useless. It can also be used for those cases when a positive outcome is not planned.

"Like this?" - you ask. That's how:

- Bless, father, make peace with your mother-in-law!

But in fact, that mother-in-law did not give up for nothing, neither evil nor kind. The world did not happen due to the lack of human efforts. But the conscience does not torment. God did not listen to the priest - there is no fault of mine. If he had prayed better and let his beard grow longer, then the result would have been completely different.

But priests are different. Who distributes blessings to the right and left without listening to the end, and who can take out his whole soul, torturing, what and why. Yes, he will take it and not bless. And what? It doesn't happen like that either. So you have to look closely and find out who, how and when it is better to approach.

So my sister asked me to look after the children for a day, while she needs to take care of her husband after the operation. Reluctance, oh, how reluctant. If you refuse, you will be bad. So, wait, sister, I must first take the blessing on this. And not any priest is suitable for this case, but certainly a monk. Best of all, hegumen or archimandrite. With glory. So that the first half of the day does not get through to him, and the other half of the day so that he prays and thinks about the answer, well, then the sister herself will find another nurse for her offspring.

And it happens like this:

“Dear you, our church benefactor and owner of steamships! Our deacon composes such spiritual songs - you will listen! He would record them, but there is no decent guitar. Help, huh? It's not difficult for you.

And the philanthropist replies:

“You need to ask your spiritual father. If he blesses, so be it, I will buy your deacon a guitar.

But the spiritual father did not bless. Several years passed, the deacon saved up money and bought himself a six-stringed lyre. Only by that time he had lost his voice, without writing down his compositions.

- But tell me, father, what should I do: my granddaughter asks to register and live while studying at the institute. The unbelieving girl, of course. With character. Bless or not?

“I mean, you want to say,” I am amazed, “that if I don’t bless you, then you will refuse your granddaughter with a pure heart?”

The woman hesitates, catching my displeasure.

- Why do you think that I have a moral right to decide what to do with your granddaughter?

Some people give the right to decide what to do to the priest - in order to relieve themselves of responsibility

And a person gave a moral right to a priest in order to relieve himself of responsibility. Fifty-fifty is the probability of getting the preferred answer. And you don’t have to bother running around to the passport officers. And don't feed your mouth too much. Or you can manipulate the priest, summing up the desired answer.

- Father, but they asked me to pray for a woman alone, but I doubt whether to pray or not. How will you bless?

"Oh, woe to me!" - I think, and ask aloud:

What does the apostle Paul say about this?

Fortunately, the parishioner reads the Holy Scripture and understands what I mean.

“He says pray for one another,” she replies.

– Were there any amendments there: they say, but don’t pray for such and such a woman?

- No, father.

- And why did you decide to rely on my opinion then? What if I go crazy and forbid you to pray, going against the apostle? Which one of us will you listen to?

And the woman leaves before she has yet learned to live according to the Gospel without human promptings or instructions from the elders.

- Bless, father, I took a box of fresh apples to the orphanage!

- God bless!

- Bless me, I decided to make peace with my wife and save my family!

- Blessed be the Lord!

- Bless the day ahead!

- God help!

And God enters into someone's heart, from the heart of another He did not leave anywhere, but He is glad to enter into another heart, but it has already been busy for a long time, although there is a beautiful sign hanging: “You are welcome!”

There are days in the life of every believer when he attends church and comes to spiritual cleansing. Orthodox people quite often have conversations with God through their thoughts or through the priest. It is the priest who is the guide to God and to the truth for every believer. But have you thought about whether you need ask the father for blessings for any requirement.

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Imagine for a moment, if the priest is a guide to God, and you want to ask God for approval to do a special deed, then accordingly you need to turn to the priest in order for him to give you this approval - God's grace on behalf of the priest. Then, of course, you will think about the question of how and under what circumstances this should be done. This article will be useful for everyone Orthodox and believers who came early or late to this question.

What is a blessing and how to ask for a blessing from a priest

- these are the actions of the priest aimed at wishing good to the person who came to him with a request for blessing. In other words, this is a special prayer, the words of which depend on the person's conversion. And also it is considered the approval of God, any business in the person of the priest.

Many church members meeting the father on his way want to ask him for blessings. But often they do it wrong. Of course, there are no obligatory canons on how to ask for a blessing from a priest, but still, in order to answer the question of how to receive a blessing from a priest, you need to know certain rules. First of all, all who ask must know that they must ask for things that really exist. Asking for God's grace to marry, for example, is not possible if you do not yet have a bride or groom. Consider the example of getting approval from a priest to get married:

1. Before you get approval, you need to get a groom (bride), agree on everything, and then come to the priest and ask for parting words so that everything goes well in this matter.
2. You will be asked whether your chosen one belongs to another faith and whether this is done with the consent of both.
3. After that, he will approve and say: "God bless."

The rite itself also takes place in a certain way. In order to receive a blessing, you need to approach the priest, put your right hand on your left, while the palms should be directed to the sky. Then say: “Bless, father!” Then the sign of the cross will follow.

The clergyman conducts this ceremony with his hand, folding his fingers so that they depict IC XC - Jesus Christ. Thus, the Lord himself blesses us, through the priest. After that, it is necessary to kiss the hand of the priest, this will mean that we are, as it were, kissing the invisible hand of God.

When to ask for a blessing from the priest

Before, none the believer did not travel far and did not perform any important deeds without the blessing of the clergyman. It was believed that it was prayer and God's grace that protect a person from troubles and sins. Now they don't take it so seriously. So, when to take a blessing from a priest? Recently, believers have been asking for blessings:

• On the road.
• To do well in exams.
• To do the job.
• For the right upbringing of children.
• To make a purchase and so on.

If you are going or just planning to go on a long journey, then it is best to get parting words from the priest. All this is done for to keep the road calm, without incident and brought only joy.

When preparing for exams or doing work, you can take approval so that everything you plan succeeds and nothing gets in your way.

In order not to doubt the correctness of your methods of raising children, a priest will also help you. Prompt, show and bless. After that, there is only a small chance that you can do something wrong.

God's grace can and should be asked with or without reason. For those who are a regular visitor to the temple, instead of the words "Hello" and "Goodbye", the priest blesses you. By the way, it is also impossible to greet the priest with a handshake, only individuals have the right to do this.

In order for your purchase to benefit you and no problems arise with it, you also turn to the church. There are no restrictions on exactly what issues and deeds to ask for God's grace. It is important to remember that it is not necessary to be baptized before and after the ceremony.

A priest has the right to bless being not only in the Temple and the sacred cassock, but also being outside the church in civilian clothes, but only in specific cases. Ask and you will be heard and your words and actions will be blessed. Don't forget about responsibility. As the saying goes: "Trust in God, but don't make a mistake yourself."

Is it necessary to receive a blessing for fasting

Fasting in Orthodoxy is a time of abstinence. If possible, permission or blessing for fasting must be taken. But if for some reason you do not have the opportunity to go to church and do this, then, of course, you can fast on your own. blessing on great post, for example, is the day of Forgiveness Sunday. On this day, all Orthodox gather in the temple and ask for forgiveness both from each other and from the priesthood for voluntary and involuntary offenses. Fasting is our sacrifice to God. And the Great One carries the meaning of the forty-day fast of Jesus in the wilderness.

Although church posts it is not necessary for all believers to keep, but it is important to ask for a blessing in order to refuse fasting for one reason or another, for example, due to illness.

How to ask for blessings from the priest for childbirth or surgery

In order for you to be calmer during childbirth or during an emergency operation, contact the priest. Order a prayer service before childbirth, let the priest bless you and your child for an easy birth. There is no set time to take the blessing for a future birth or surgery. You can apply to the church with these at any time in a week or a few days.

Do not forget that you should also take communion. Of course, the priesthood will ask you when your event will take place, as well as other details. Do not be afraid that you will not be blessed, the priest will find time for you, listen and help you figure out your plans. You will not be left without God's grace. The rite of blessing itself will follow the same pattern as in the example described above with the blessing of marriage. However, in general, all blessings are given in this way.

priest Andrey Dudchenko

Piety is, as it were, a vertical, directed from earth to heaven (man-God), church etiquette is a horizontal (man-man). At the same time, one cannot ascend to heaven without loving a person, and one cannot love a person without loving God: If we love each other, then God abides in us (), and whoever does not love his brother, whom he sees, how can he love God, Whom he does not sees? ().

Thus, all the rules of church etiquette are determined by spiritual foundations, which should regulate relations between believers who aspire to God.

There is an opinion that there is no need to "manipulate", since God looks at the heart. The latter, of course, is true, but virtue itself offends if it is combined with repulsive manners. Of course, terrifying intentions can be hidden behind a brilliant manner, which is associated with the iconic nature of our behavior, when, say, a gesture can reveal our true state or desire, but it can also hide. So, Pontius Pilate in one modern novel, washing his hands at the trial of Christ, gives the following interpretation to his gesture: “Let the gesture be elegant and the symbol impeccable, if the deed is dishonorable.” Such abilities of people with the help of ambiguity of gesture, good manners to hide a bad heart cannot serve as an excuse in the absence of church "good form". “Bad tone” in the temple can become a stumbling block for a person with few churches on his path to God. Let us remember the lamentations and complaints of new converts who come to churches and meet there sometimes simply a barbaric attitude towards themselves on the part of those who consider themselves to be churchgoers. How much rudeness, primitive mentoring, hostility and unforgiveness can be found in other communities! How many people - especially from among the youth and the intelligentsia - have lost parishes because of this! And someday they, these departed people, will come back to the temple? And what answer will be given by those who served as such a temptation on the way to the temple?!

A God-fearing and churchly educated person, if he sees anything indecent in the behavior of another, only corrects his brother or sister with love and respect.

Indicative in this respect is a case from the life of the saint:

“This elder retained one habit from his worldly life, namely, sometimes, sitting down, he crossed his legs, which might not seem quite decent. Some of the brethren saw this, but none of them dared to rebuke him, because everyone respected him greatly. But only one elder, Abba Pimen, said to the brethren:

“Go to Abba Arseny, and I will sit down with him the way he sometimes sits down; then you will remark to me that I do not sit well. I will ask your forgiveness; At the same time, we will correct the elder.”

They went and did so. The Monk Arseny, realizing that it was so indecent for a monk to sit, left his habit ”(Lives of the Saints. Month of May. Eighth Day).

Politeness, as a component of etiquette, in a spiritual person can become a means to attract the grace of God. Usually, courtesy is understood not only as the art of showing by external signs the internal respect that we have for a person, but also the art of being friendly with people to whom we have no favor. What is hypocrisy, hypocrisy? For a spiritual person, who knows the innermost dialectic of external and internal, courtesy can become a means on the path of acquiring and developing humility.

The expression of one ascetic is known: do the external, and for the external the Lord will give the internal, for the external belongs to man, and the internal belongs to God. With the appearance of external signs of virtue, virtue itself gradually grows in us. Here is how the bishop wisely wrote about this: 1 “He who warns the greetings of others with his greetings, expresses helpfulness and respect for everyone, prefers everyone everywhere to himself, silently endures various griefs and exerts himself mentally and practically and in self-abasement for the sake of Christ, at first he experiences a lot difficult and difficult minutes for personal pride.

But for the meek and patient fulfillment of the commandment of God about humility, the grace of the Holy Spirit is poured on him from above, softening his heart for sincere love for God and for people, and his bitter experiences are replaced by sweet ones.

Thus, acts of love without corresponding feelings of love are eventually rewarded by an outpouring of heavenly love in the heart. The resigned begins to feel in the surrounding faces of relatives in Christ and disposes towards them with benevolence.

The order of the meal in the parish often copies the monastic one: if this is an everyday table, then the prepared reader, standing behind the lectern, after the blessing of the priest, for the edification of those gathered, reads the life or instruction aloud, which is listened to with attention. If this is a festive meal, where birthday people are congratulated, then spiritual wishes, toasts are sounded; Those who wish to pronounce them would do well to think in advance what to say.

At the table, they observe the measure in everything: in eating and drinking, in conversations, jokes, and the duration of the feast. If gifts are presented to the birthday man, then these are most often icons, a book, church utensils, sweets, flowers. The hero of the occasion at the end of the feast thanks all those gathered, who then sing to him “Many Years”. Praising and thanking (among believers it is customary to pronounce the full, not truncated formula of thanksgiving: not “thank you”, but “God save” or “God save you, Lord”) the organizers of the dinner, all those who worked in the kitchen, also observe the measure, for “ The Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but joy in the Holy Spirit.”

On the behavior of parishioners bearing church obedience.

The behavior of parishioners who carry out church obedience (trade in candles, icons, cleaning the temple, guarding the territory, singing on the kliros, serving at the altar) is a special topic. We know what importance is attached to obedience in the Church. Doing everything in the Name of God, overcoming your old self, is a very difficult task. It is further complicated by the fact that “getting used to the shrine” quickly appears, a feeling of a master (mistress) in the church, when the parish begins to seem like its own patrimony, and hence the disregard for all “outside”, “coming”. Meanwhile, the holy fathers nowhere say that obedience is higher than love. And if God is Love, how can one become like Him without showing love oneself?

Brothers and sisters who carry out obedience in churches should be an example of meekness, humility, gentleness, and patience. And the most elementary: culture: for example, to be able to answer phone calls. Anyone who has had to call churches knows what level of culture they are talking about - sometimes you don’t feel like calling anymore.

On the other hand, people who go to church need to know that the Church is a special world with its own rules. Therefore, one cannot go to the temple defiantly dressed: women should not be in trousers, short skirts, without a headdress, with lipstick on their lips; men should not come in shorts, T-shirts, they should not smell of tobacco. These are questions not only of piety, but also of etiquette, because a violation of the norms of behavior can cause a fair negative reaction (even if only in the soul) from others.

To all those who, for some reason, had unpleasant moments of communication at the parish - advice, you have come to God, and bring your heart to Him, and overcome the temptation with prayer and love.

In the monastery

The love of the Orthodox people for monasteries is known. They are now in Russian Orthodox Church about 500. And in each of them, in addition to the inhabitants, there are laborers, pilgrims who come to strengthen their faith, piety, to work for the glory of God on the restoration or improvement of the monastery.

There is stricter discipline in the monastery than in the parish. And although the mistakes of newcomers are usually forgiven, covered with love, it is advisable to go to the monastery, already knowing the rudiments of the monastic rules.

Spiritual and administrative structure of the monastery.

The monastery is headed by the holy archimandrite - the ruling bishop or (if the monastery is stavropegic) the Patriarch himself.

However, the abbot directly manages the monastery (it can be an archimandrite, abbot, hieromonk). In ancient times, he was called a builder, or abbot. The convent is managed by the abbess.

In view of the need for a well-organized monastic life (and monasticism is a spiritual path, so verified and polished by centuries of practice that it can be called academic), in the monastery everyone bears a certain obedience.

The first assistant and deputy governor is the dean. He is in charge of all worship, the fulfillment of statutory requirements. It is to him that they are usually sent on the issue of accommodation for pilgrims coming to the monastery.

An important place in the monastery belongs to the confessor, who spiritually nourishes the brethren. Moreover, this does not have to be an old man (both in terms of age and in terms of spiritual gifts).

From the experienced brethren, the following are selected: treasurer (responsible for the storage and distribution of donations with the blessing of the governor), sacristan (responsible for the splendor of the temple, vestments, utensils, storage of liturgical books), housekeeper (responsible for the economic life of the monastery, in charge of the obediences of the laborers who came to the monastery), cellar (responsible for the storage and preparation of products), hotel (responsible for the accommodation and accommodation of the guests of the monastery) and others.

In women's monasteries, these obediences are carried out by the nuns of the monastery, with the exception of the confessor, who is appointed by the bishop from among experienced and usually elderly monks.

Appeal to monks.

In order to correctly address the monk (nuns) of the monastery, you need to know that in the cloisters there are novices (novices), cassock monks (nuns), mantle monks (nuns), schemamonks (schemanuns). In the male monastery, some of the monks have a holy order (they serve as deacons, priests).

Conversion in the monasteries is as follows.

In the men's monastery.

You can contact the governor with an indication of his position ("Father Viceroy, bless") or with the name (“Father Nikon, bless”), possible and easy "father"(rarely used). In a formal setting: "Your Reverence"(if the viceroy is an archimandrite or abbot) or "Your Reverence"(if hieromonk). In the third person they say: "father governor", "father Gabriel". They turn to the dean: with an indication of the position ("father dean"), with added name ("father Pavel"), "father". In the third person: "father dean" ("refer to the father dean") or "father ... (name)". The confessor is addressed with the use of the name (“Father John”) or simply “father”. In the third person: “what will the confessor advise”, “what will Father John say”.

If the steward, sacristan, treasurer, cellar have a priestly rank, they can be contacted "father" and ask for blessings. If they are not ordained, but have tonsured, they say, "father housekeeper", "father treasurer".

Hieromonk, hegumen, archimandrite can be said: "father…(Name)", "father".

A monk who is tonsured is addressed: "father", to the novice "Brother"(if the novice in old age is "father"). In an appeal to schemniks, if san is used, the prefix "shee" is added - for example: "I ask for your prayers, Father Schema-Archimandrite."

In the convent.

The abbess, unlike the nuns, wears a golden pectoral cross and has the right to bless. Therefore, they ask her blessings, addressing in this way: "mother abbess"; or with the name: "Mother Varvara", "Mother Nicholas" or simply " mother". (In a convent, the word "mother" refers only to the abbess. Therefore, if they say. "So thinks the mother," they mean the abbess.)

In an address to the nuns they say: "Mother Eulampius", "Mother Seraphim", but in a particular situation, you can simply "mother". The novices are addressed: "sister"(in case of advanced age of the novice, it is possible to apply "mother"). There is no spiritual justification for the practice of some parishes, where parishioners working in the kitchen, in a sewing workshop, etc., are called mothers. In the world, it is customary to call only the wife of a priest (father) a mother.

About monastic rules.

The monastery is a special world. And it takes time to learn the rules of the monastic community.

Since this material is intended for the laity, we will only point out the most necessary things that must be observed in the monastery during the pilgrimage.

• When you come to a monastery as a pilgrim or worker, remember that in a monastery everyone asks for a blessing and strictly fulfills it.
• It is impossible to leave the monastery without a blessing.
• They leave all their sinful habits and addictions (wine, tobacco, foul language, etc.) outside the monastery.
• conversations lead only about the spiritual, they don’t remember about worldly life, they don’t teach each other, but they know only two words - “forgive” and “bless”.
• Without grumbling, they are content with food, clothing, sleeping conditions, they eat food only at a common meal.
• They do not go to other people's cells, except when they are sent by the rector. At the entrance to the cell, a prayer is said aloud: “Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, have mercy on us” (in a convent: “Through the prayers of our holy mothers ...”). They do not enter the cell until they hear from behind the door: "Amen."
• Avoid free treatment, laughter, jokes.
• When working on obediences, they try to spare the weak who works nearby, covering up the errors in his work with love. At a mutual meeting, they greet each other with bows and the words: “Save yourself, brother (sister)”; and the other replies to this: "Save, Lord." Unlike the world, they don't take each other's hand.
• Sitting at the table in the refectory, observe the order of precedence. The prayer that the person who serves food is answered with “Amen”, they are silent at the table and listen to the reading.
• They are not late for worship, except when busy in obedience.
• Insults encountered in general obediences are endured humbly, thereby gaining experience in the spiritual life and love for the brethren.

How to Behave at a Bishop's Reception

A bishop is an angel of the Church; without a bishop, the Church loses its fullness and very essence. Therefore, a church person always treats bishops with special reverence.

Turning to the bishop, he is called "Vladyko" ("Lord, bless")."Lord" is a vocative case Church Slavonic, in the nominative case - Lord; For example: "Vladyka Bartholomew has blessed you..."

Eastern (coming from Byzantium) solemnity and verbosity in addressing the bishop at first even confuses the heart of a person with little church, who can see here (in fact, non-existent) belittling of his own human dignity.

In official address, other expressions are used.

Addressing the Bishop: Your Eminence; Most Reverend Master. In the third person: “His Eminence ordained a deacon…”.

Addressing the Archbishop and Metropolitan: Your Eminence; Most Reverend Vladyko. If you want to start a conversation with an unfamiliar bishop and you don’t know what hierarchical level he is at, pay attention to the headdress of a bishop: in the modern Russian Orthodox Church, an archbishop, unlike a bishop, wears a small four-pointed a cross made of transparent faceted stones; in addition, the metropolitan, unlike the bishop and archbishop, has a white hood. In general, the distinguishing feature of a bishop is that he wears a round panagia with the image of the Savior or the Mother of God over the sacred robes. IN third person: “With the blessing of His Eminence, we inform you…”.

Addressing the Patriarch: Your Holiness; Holy Lord. In the third person: “His Holiness visited… the diocese.”

They take a blessing from the bishop in the same way as from a priest: the palms are folded crosswise one on top of the other (right above) and approach the bishop for blessing.

A telephone conversation with a bishop begins with the words: "Bless, Lord" or "Bless, Your Eminence (High Eminence)".

You can start your letter with: "Lord bless" or "Your Eminence (High Eminence), bless."

When formally writing to a bishop, the following form is followed.

In the upper right corner of the sheet they write, observing the line:

His Eminence

His Eminence(Name),

Bishop(name of the diocese)

Petition.

When referring to Archbishop or Metropolitan:

His Eminence

His Eminence(Name),

archbishop(Metropolitan)

(name of the diocese)

Petition.

When addressing the Patriarch:

His Holiness

His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All

Russ Alexy

Petition.

They usually end a petition or a letter with the following words: “I ask for the prayers of Your Eminence…”.

Priests who are, in fact, in church obedience, write: "Humble novice of Your Eminence ...".

At the bottom of the sheet they put the date according to the old and new styles, indicating the saint whose memory the Church honors on this day. For example: July 5/18, 1999 A.D. X . (Christmas). Rev. Sergius of Radonezh.

Arriving at an appointment with the bishop at the diocesan administration, they approach the secretary or head of the chancellery, introduce themselves and tell them why they are asking for an appointment.

Entering the bishop's office, they say a prayer. "Through the prayers of our holy Master, Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, have mercy on us" they are baptized on the icons in the red corner, approach the bishop and ask for his blessing. At the same time, it is not necessary from excessive reverence or fear to kneel or prostrate (unless, of course, you have come with a confession of some kind of sin).

There are usually many priests in the diocesan administration, but it is not necessary to take a blessing from each of them. In addition, there is a clear rule: in the presence of a bishop, they do not take blessings from the priests, but only greet them with a slight tilt of the head.

If the bishop leaves the office for the reception room, they approach him for blessing according to their rank: first the priests (by seniority), then the laity (men, then women).

The conversation of the bishop is not interrupted by anyone with a request for a blessing, but they wait until the end of the conversation. They think over their appeal to the bishop in advance and state it briefly, without unnecessary gestures and facial expressions.

At the end of the conversation, they again ask the blessing of the bishop and, having crossed themselves on the icons in the red corner, sedately retire.

In the days of sorrow

Finally, a few remarks about the time when all festivals are abandoned. This is the time of mourning, that is, the outward expression of a feeling of sadness for the deceased.

Distinguish between deep mourning and ordinary mourning.

Deep mourning is worn only for the father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, husband, wife, brother, sister. Mourning for the father and mother lasts one year. According to the grandfather and grandmother - six months. For the husband - two years, for the wife - one year. For children - one year. For brother and sister - four months. Uncle, aunt and cousin - three months. If a widow, contrary to decency, enters into a new marriage before the end of mourning for her first husband, then she should not invite any of the guests to the wedding. These periods can be shortened or extended if before death those remaining in this earthly vale received a special blessing from the dying person, for the dying goodwill, blessing (especially parental) are treated with reverence and reverence.

In general, in Orthodox families, no important decisions are made without the blessing of parents or elders. From an early age, children even learn to ask for the blessings of their father and mother for everyday affairs: “Mommy, I’m going to bed, bless me.” And the mother, having crossed the child, says: "Guardian angel for you to sleep." The child goes to school, on a hike, to the village (to the city) - on all paths he is kept by his parental blessing.

If possible, parents add to their blessing (during the marriage of children or before their death) visible signs, gifts, blessings: crosses, icons, holy relics, the Bible, which, constituting a home shrine, are passed from generation to generation.

The bottomless sea of ​​church life is inexhaustible. It is clear that in this small book only some of the outlines of church etiquette are given.

Hegumen Aristarkh (Lohapov)

Orthodox view of church blessing

Every Christian asks for blessings from a priest or bishop for important events in his life. Also, believers ask for blessings when meeting with a clergyman. In addition, blessing in one form or another is present in church services. Now, unfortunately, in the minds of many believers there is a misunderstanding of a blessing as a permission or even a command to perform any action...

Most priests today, when asking for a blessing, will overshadow a person with the sign of the cross and, most likely, will not utter any words at the same time or say something like: "God bless." Although it would be necessary to say: "God is blessed" or something like that. Among the Greeks, the priest, when blessing, says: “O Kyrios”, i.e. "Lord." This is an abbreviated version of the answer: "The Lord is blessed."

In order to see how blessing is understood in Church Tradition, which is expressed, among other things, in liturgical tradition, let us turn to our Divine Liturgy.

At the end of Vespers and Matins, the choir sings, addressing the primate: "Bless." Following this, the serving priest utters an exclamation: “Blessed is Christ our God ...” (by the way, here the priest calls God the sacred Old Testament name “Yahweh” - “Sy” - “Being”. The same name is written on the icons of Christ).

M. Zheltov, a teacher at the Orthodox St. Tikhon Theological Institute, says about this (I quote below a summary of his lectures from the Internet): “You see how great boldness is in the Christian religion: in the Old Testament, the high priest uttered only this word once a year, but in the New Testament each priest at the end of the service pronounces this exclamation: "Syi is blessed! .." In our country, the word "bless" is often associated with a request to the priest: "Father, bless!" And the father blesses.

In fact, if we look at patristic interpretations and the Bible itself, then the main meaning of the word "bless" is "to bless God." And the choir sings: “Bless!”, And the priest says: “Blessed be the Lord,” he blesses the Lord. And here this ancient tradition is observed: do not bless us, the choir sings here, but “bless” means “God”.

And the priest blesses: “Blessed is Christ our God,” thereby confessing Christ as God. Blessing in the biblical sense of the word is the blessing of God. This understanding persisted for quite some time. Let us recall an example from the life of St. Mary of Egypt. When Zosima meets her, they argue for a long time about who should bless whom. Finally, Reverend Mary yields and says, "God bless," i.e. blesses God.

Blessing God, a person enters into a special spiritual relationship with Him, and this blessing passes to him. This is the biblical model. Following the blessing of God, God Himself blesses the person.

When a priest or bishop is asked to give a blessing to someone, it is most often understood as follows: the clergyman blesses the person, and this means that God also blesses him. In fact, God blesses a person through the fact that a person himself first blesses God. This is the model used in the Bible.

Thus, when a priest is asked for a blessing, he must, making the sign of the cross over the one who asks, bless GOD, and the Lord Himself will give a blessing to the one who asks him. Or he won't - God is free in His decision. And He has the right not to give blessings to those whom the clergyman blesses.

Now imagine the following situation. I asked for a blessing for something and got it. Does this mean that I must certainly do what I have planned? No, it doesn't. I asked God's blessing - which means I asked God to intervene in my situation. And if this is a good deed, God will arrange everything so that the deed is done. If it is not for good, the Lord will somehow show me this. In any case, I should not be guided by the principle to do what I have been blessed at all costs.

One day asked a question: “Does blessing have anything to do with prayer? It is quite canonized in the Russian Church: for every deed you must ask for a blessing... What is the connection: what is God's and what is not? There is always this very difficult moment: maybe this is not pleasing to God ... I have such a self that I often just forget about it, I just do it. But this can also be mechanical: he asked for blessings, and went, and you answer, since you blessed. I have experience; I, if I want, will do it anyway, even if it was not allowed, and I paid for it to the extent that I was promised. There is at this moment: inviting trouble on yourself ... "

Vladyka Anthony replied to this: “When we are little children, we ask dad or mom: can I play, can I do this or that? .. When we become a little older, we understand that now we are not up to the game, now we need to do something else, and then we no longer ask: dad, let me, mom, let me, but we know that now is the time, I will do it with God's blessing, if this is not a bad thing in itself. And things are mostly average in the sense that it may not be bad, but it may not be particularly good, there is nothing special about it, I can deal with it.

And if you turn everything into such a situation that you have to ask for blessings about every thing, then, firstly, no one, and secondly, it’s even worse when there is someone who has enough wit or intelligence or experience or he will be you stop and say: no, it must certainly be so, and not otherwise. You need to somehow be able to make a choice in an adult way, sometimes thinking, sometimes consulting, and somehow saying inwardly: Lord, bless, I will do it as best I can!”

Then the conversation with Vladyka Anthony continued: “May I amuse you a little? I came to Russia with this blessing, I wanted to buy a car, I came to the priest: I need you to bless me to buy a car... who deals with machines, who understands something in them ... Since then, I have divided more or less, but sometimes I get confused.

Thank God, here, a reasonable person turned out to be! You can always say: Lord, in my mind this is not a bad thing - bless! If it is not according to You, put some kind of barrier so that this does not happen ...

You have to pray and you will feel it!

I think such absolute rules are risky. Now you are in such and such a mood and your soul is open, and you feel: here, yes! .. And at another moment you withered and you do not have such a vivid feeling that God blesses you or not. I think that then you need to think: this is a good thing, right? Or even “average” in the sense that there is nothing particularly good or bad in it, just some everyday business. Pray for him and let God do something that you don't know how to do yourself.

We can’t do everything and we can’t ask for everything: Lord, instruct me! .. - and now God has already put an answer on your soul. Sometimes it happens like this - now I'm not thinking about children, but about adults: a person needs something, and you cannot help him. There is a very remarkable place in one letter where he says: sometimes it happens that a person has a need or pain, he needs something and no one can help him, because God knows that he is not ripe to accept this help. He, perhaps, will accept it - mechanically: “Ah, he has freed himself,” and then he will return to the same problem again, because he has not outlived it in himself. So it is not always possible to solve every problem. This is not a consolation, say, to a priest who does not find any answers to any questions, but it means that sometimes you feel that no, I could formally say something, but this is not the answer to this person and not the answer.

priest Andrey Dudchenko

Search line: blessing for reading prayers

Records found: 35

Hello, father. Please explain why the blessing is taken for reading prayers, akathists (I often meet in your answers), if in fact this is a pious and good deed? Or to hurt yourself? (I read a book about Matushka Selaphiela, which shows the consequences of prayer work). It so happened that I read akathists, but I never took blessings. And then there was a case when, during a sermon, our father expressed the opinion that when a person takes a blessing for Great Lent, he thereby shifts the responsibility to the clergyman if he cannot bear it. This view is controversial. Thanks in advance for your reply.

Natalia

Natalya, if you want to regularly read akathists, you need to consult with the priest with whom you usually confess, and take a blessing, firstly, so as not to do your own will, but to show obedience. Many unwisely begin to read many prayers and akathists, forgetting about the daily morning and evening rule. Secondly, grace is given with a blessing, which will help in a good deed and protect from temptations.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello, father. Please tell me, in order to pray for my daughter from drunkenness, is it necessary to take the priest's blessing to read the akathist "The Inexhaustible Chalice" for 40 days and to order a magpie in the Vysotsky Monastery? The same question is about me regarding smoking. And what do you actually do in such a situation?

Maria

Maria, in order to order a magpie, you do not need to take a blessing. And before reading the akathist, it is better to take a blessing from the priest and ask for his prayers. It is necessary to ask the Lord to strengthen in a good intention and help to cope with a sinful passion.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Please, please help! My son committed suicide, I want to pray for him, but I don’t know what prayers can be read? What prayers can I help him with?

Elena

Elena, the Church does not pray for suicides, but as a mother, you can ask for a blessing to pray for your son. Contact your nearest temple. There you will be prompted which priest to turn to for such a blessing and the reading of special prayers. In addition, with the blessing of the priest at home, it will be possible to read the prayer of the Monk Leo of Optina: “Seek, Lord, the lost soul of Your servant (name): if it is possible to eat, have mercy. Your fate is unsearchable. your will."

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Maria

Reading the Psalter is mainly a monastic occupation. There is no special charter for reading the psalter. You can read one psalm or one kathisma, reading the initial prayers before it (with the King of Heaven ... according to our Father). It is best to talk on this topic with the priest in the temple, having decided on the quantity and taking the blessing. During physical labor, you can read short prayers that you know by heart: the Jesus Prayer, Virgin Mary, rejoice ... etc.).

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Good afternoon. The servant of God Julia is writing to you. Father, tell me, please, is it possible to read the akathist to Cyprian and Justina without the blessing of the priest? The fact is that my sister got sick, in an instant everything began to hurt. We know that our own grandmother was engaged in witchcraft. After the death of my father, we stopped communicating with her. Please answer, father, is it possible to read an akathist without a blessing? Save you Lord!

Julia

Hello Julia. Akathists were written just for home prayers; there is no need to specially take a blessing for their reading.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Hello, please tell me, is it necessary to have a blessing from the priest in order to read an akathist at home? My mother bought the icon of the Mother of God "Quick Hearing" at the market, the seller said that the icon was consecrated. But I have doubts whether it is possible to consecrate an icon, and how? Wouldn't it be a sin if suddenly the icon was consecrated twice?

faith

Hello Vera. The blessing of the priest must be taken for the regular reading of the akathist, when you take on a special feat, add the akathist to the prayer rule. And for one-time readings, once a week, for example, blessings can not be asked. The icon can be taken to the temple and asked to consecrate, it will be better. God bless you.

Priest Sergiy Osipov

Father, let me ask you a few questions! 1) If, for example, a feast or a common meal with non-church relatives, is it necessary to pray in front of them, or mentally read a prayer before eating? And how then to cross the food, so as not to embarrass anyone? 2) When reading the prayer rule at home (evening and morning prayers, akathists, etc.), do you need to read aloud? Should the head be covered? Do you always need to light a lamp? 3) How many kathismas per day are read about health? 4) My dad is mentally ill, can I read the Psalter about him? 5) How to pray for a person who speaks a lot of foul language?

Katerina

Catherine, you can read a short prayer before eating and cross it. This will not embarrass anyone. 2. When reading the prayer rule at home, a woman's head should be covered. You can read aloud or silently, whichever is more convenient for you. A lit lamp symbolizes God's mercy to us and our prayer burning to God, so it's good if you pray with a lit lamp or a candle. 3. Discuss the reading of the Psalter with your confessor. There is no special charter for reading kathismas at home, so it is better to take a blessing from the priest in your church and ask for advice to what extent it will be within your power and benefit. 4. It is possible and necessary to pray for the mentally ill, including reading the Psalter. 5. It is necessary to pray for a foul-mouthed person as for a sick (spiritually) person.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Save you Lord. Is it necessary to ask for blessings for reading the Theotokos Rule? Is the reading of the Gospel passages, from the Apostles and the teachings of the Holy Fathers about what should be remembered when reading the Canon of the Theotokos after every ten is blessed? Can I consider as a spiritual guide a person who does not know me, but through whose guidance I am trying to come to repentance?

Nicholas

Nicholas! For any rule that you are going to fulfill, you need to seek the advice and blessing of a confessor or priest at confession. If you read morning and evening prayers daily, and life circumstances allow you to increase your prayer rule, then the priest will bless you. You need to pray for your mentors, but do not forget that books can only complement, and not replace, personal communication with a priest at confession and discussing your spiritual issues with him.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Good afternoon Tell me, please, is it necessary to take a blessing in the temple to read the akathist to Nicholas the Wonderworker at home, or is it not necessary? Thank you.

Svetlana

Svetlana, if you are not going to add this akathist to your daily prayer rule on an ongoing basis, but just want to read it several times, then you do not need to take a blessing from the priest. Read the akathist at home without any embarrassment.

Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)

Hello, father, today my grandmother, the servant of God Paraskovya, died, please tell me, how can I help her soul, what prayer can I pray for her to strengthen, save her soul in the next world? Thank you.

Inna

Inna, first of all, you need to order a commemoration in the church at the liturgy. This can be a one-time commemoration, magpie (when they pray for the deceased for forty days) or an annual commemoration. The next funeral service and memorial service is possible after Easter, on Radonitsa. At home, read a prayer for the departed as part of the morning prayers, and if you have the desire and appropriate preparation, you can ask the priest in the temple for a blessing to read the Psalter.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello! Thanks for your help and wise advice. I bought the "Complete Prayer Book and the Psalter", for reading which, as it is written in the introduction, it is necessary to take a blessing from the priest, because "the use of many prayers indicated in the book can instead of benefit bring harm and lead to delusion." Why can reading prayers lead to delusion, and how to distinguish between its "symptoms"? Thank you!

Anna

Anna, it is strange that a blessing is required to read the prayers from this prayer book. And all the more strange is what is written further in the annotation about the harm that these prayers can allegedly bring. I assume that the publishers included in the prayer book those prayers that appear in the Treasury - the book according to which the priest performs the rites. I would not use such a prayer book. And in general, why buy some kind of “complete” prayer books? Do we need to look for our own “special” prayers for every occasion of life? This is paganism! For every sneeze you don’t say hello! Read the morning and evening rule, the Psalter and the Gospel, and that's enough for you, as a laywoman. And if you have the strength, add canons - to the Savior, the Mother of God, the Guardian Angel.

hegumen Nikon (Golovko)

Hello, fathers! The question is: is it possible to read the gospel of the sick? Before reading, the following prayer is offered: "Save, Lord, and have mercy on Your Servant (name) with the words of Your Holy Gospel and, Lord, the thorns of all his sins have fallen and may Your grace, scorching, cleansing, sanctifying the whole person in the Name of the Father and the Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen." And is it possible to read not about one person, but about many, listing their names? God bless you for the answer!

Victoria

Yes, you can, Victoria, God help you! It is possible about many. Take only a blessing for this work and discuss with the priest whether it will be within your power.

hegumen Nikon (Golovko)

How to read the Psalter correctly? Please tell me, is it correct to read the Psalter without reading the troparia and prayers at the end of each kathisma? I don't read them, but if the reading of the Psalter is not valid without them, then I will try to read them. I took a blessing to read the Psalter, but I can’t ask that priest about it, since he is very far away. Thank you.

Tamara

It is possible without troparia, just kathisma after kathisma, this is also correct. And in general, do not put the question like this: really - invalid. It's strange somehow. Everything we do is real.

hegumen Nikon (Golovko)

Hello. On November 15, my mother died suddenly. After the funeral, she began to read the Psalter to help her soul. Now they tell me that it is impossible to read the Psalter without a blessing. If you really need to take a blessing, then please bless me. I read the Psalter in Russian, and the prayers in Church Slavonic. Is it possible so?

Evgenia

Eugene, do not be embarrassed, as you read the Psalter, read it. It is not necessary to take a blessing to read the psalter for the dead. Take blessings on other occasions. You can read in Russian. Do not forget to go to church and pray there too, confess yourself and take communion. With God blessing.

Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)

Hello, father! I have a very difficult situation in the family with the payment of loans. I constantly go to church, pray, light candles. I was advised to read a prayer to Spiridon of Trimifutsky and an Akathist, I began to read, they say it helps. Tell me, please, was it necessary to take a blessing from the priest in order to read the akathist? Now it is very difficult and difficult for me. I have no opportunity to go and venerate his relics.

natasha

Natasha, personally, I am generally opposed to loans. I believe that you need to live with what you have, and then there will be no such problems. In life, you always want more, but you need to learn to live within your means, and not in debt. A blessing is not required for reading an akathist, pray that the Lord will help. For the future, I would advise you to refrain from loans.

Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)

Hello! After a trip to the icon "Inexhaustible Chalice" in the Serpukhov Monastery, I began to read an akathist to this icon. I learned that it takes 40 days to read. In prayer, I mentioned several names of those suffering from the disease of drunkenness, including the name of my friend's husband. Now he began to drink even more, the situation in the family is tense. What to do, continue to read the akathist? Is it possible to receive the blessing of a priest in absentia for reading this akathist?

Irina

Irina, to read the akathist you had to take the blessing right away, in the temple. In this case, you would pray not only relying on your own strength, but with the help of God. The priest is the conductor of the grace of God. Therefore, when they take a blessing, they are applied not to the hand of the priest, but to the Hand of the Lord. Let's say we want to get God's blessing and how do we know if He has blessed or not? For this, the Lord left a priest on earth, gave him special authority, and the grace of God descends on the believers through the priest. In addition, during personal communication, you will be able to ask the priest all your questions about what you are taking the blessing for. And the priest will advise what will be useful for you. Through the Internet, you can only give general advice, but you can receive grace, as well as hear something specific from the priest, only in the temple.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello! I would like to read the akathists of St. Xenia of Petersburg, Peter and Fevronia, Vera, Nadezhda Love and their mother Sophia, and "Softener of Evil Hearts", in the hope that prayers will help me maintain a relationship with my beloved. But I doubt it, I learned that you need a blessing to read akathists! Tell me is it true? Do you think I have a chance to maintain a relationship with my beloved and melt his heart, which has become a little clouded and cooled towards me? And with the help of what prayers to help a loved one get rid of past memories that weigh on his soul, heart, thoughts and mind? I can see how hard it is for him. Give me strength God! Forgive me, save you, Lord!

Natalia

Natasha dear! What do you turn akathists into a love spell, do you expect such a return from them ?! Shouldn't you tell about real problems with your loved one, "about memories", etc.? Maybe it's better to start with a problem analysis? By the way, I understand that you had a cohabitation, and not a legal marriage?

Archpriest Maxim Khyzhiy

Thank you very much for your answers and thanks to those who created and monitors the work of this site. Please help me with one more issue. I really want to confess and find my confessor, but I don't know what is needed for confession. Please tell us how the confession takes place and how to prepare for it, in detail. Thank you.

Hello Olya. For the first confession, you should not be too lazy and draw up a cheat sheet for yourself. You do not need to describe the history of your life, you just need to call by their proper names those of your actions, thoughts, desires that burden your conscience, contradict your worldview, and are condemned by you. It is best for the first confession to approach the priest and ask him to set a time for you for an individual confession. You can take a blessing on a certain rule of preparation for confession. It may include prayerful reading of canons, psalms, prayers. It will not be superfluous to read the manual for those preparing for confession. For example, "To Help the Penitent" by St. Ignatius (Bryanchaninov) or "The Experience of Building a Confession" by Father John (Krestyankin). God help you.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Good afternoon if it is not possible to take blessings for reading an akathist (there is no church in the village, and the opportunity to travel to the city appears once a year), can you ask for it? And another question: why is it necessary to take a blessing for reading an akathist or fulfilling a prayer rule?

Irina

Hello Irina! Before you take on any prayer rules, you need to consult with your confessor or with a priest with whom you regularly confess. Having assessed your life situation and the measure of spiritual progress, the priest will bless (or not bless) to read. It often happens that a person takes on an unbearable burden, and in connection with this, he has spiritual problems. If you pray in obedience and with blessing, then such problems can be avoided. If at the moment you do not have the opportunity to get to the temple, you can read the akathist, and when you are in the temple, tell the priest about this and take a blessing. Also ask if your temple has a website on the Internet through which you could communicate with the priest between visits to the temple or there is an opportunity to solve important problems by phone. Still, it is better to communicate with the priest whom you know, who takes care of you.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello, please tell me, I smoked for a very long time, then God had mercy, I prayed, asked, and quit one day after communion. But something terrible happened. Somehow, also after communion, I had a big scandal, I was very angry, and lit a cigarette, moreover, I also drank well (I am very sorry and repent). After that, I repented and took communion, but I did not stop smoking. I am very guilty. Now it is so difficult to return to that former state. But it was so easy for me to quit, even I was surprised myself. How to be? And yet, the father blessed me to read the prayer to the Mother of God on the rosary, should reading be daily? Thank you for your help.

Angelina

About how often to pray and in what quantity, it is better to check with the priest, who gave this blessing. As for smoking, for the first time the Lord gave you a gift, and now you have to “earn” freedom from this passion. Try to gradually reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke and pray that the Lord will give you the strength to free yourself from this passion.

Deacon Ilya Kokin

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