In the times when our ancestors lived, the question of work as such did not arise. People were mainly engaged in agriculture and raising livestock. This is how they fed.
The world gradually changed, and with it man. Today it is almost impossible to live without work. Food, clothing and everything necessary for life can only be purchased with money. That’s why it’s so important to find a decent job that will give you the opportunity not only to provide for your family, but also to enjoy what you do. When a person loses his job, he experiences stress and is very worried about it. However, you shouldn't give up. You need to pray to the saints, and they will definitely help you find a decent job.
Which saints should I pray for the gift of work?
Each specialty has its own patron saint. If you want to get a job in a particular profession, pray to them. In the case when you have not decided on a profession, pray to the Most Holy Theotokos, the Lord or other saints who help in this matter.
Who to pray to get a working specialty
Wanting to obtain a working profession, believers first of all turn to Joseph the Betrothed, the named father of Christ, who was a carpenter. They pray to him for good work that will please and please the Lord.
Troparion to the Apostles
Holy apostles, pray to the Merciful God that He may grant remission of sins to our souls.
Another holy worker is the Apostle Paul. He traveled preaching among new Christian converts. However, he never lived at the expense of others. Pavel sewed tents, which is how he supported himself. In addition, he lived by fishing, so those who want to engage in fishing turn to him for help.
Spyridon of Trimifunsky is the patron saint of farmers and those who work on the land. During his lifetime, as a bishop, he did not give up animal husbandry. The saint, by selling livestock, provided for his family and distributed alms to those who found themselves in difficult situations.
Troparion to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky
At the first council, you appeared as a champion and wonderworker, God-bearing Spyridon, our father. In the same way, you cried out to the dead in the tomb, and you turned the serpent into gold, and you always sang holy prayers to you, and you had angels co-serving with you, most sacred one. Glory to Him who gave you strength, glory to Him who crowned you, glory to Him who heals you all.
If you are looking for work related to agriculture, you can confidently turn to the saint for help.
Finding a job in the service sector
Those who want to connect their lives with raising children and caring for the sick and infirm (to become an educator, teacher, nurse, social worker) can turn to the holy Reverend Martyr Elizabeth for help. After the death of her husband, the saint founded the Martha and Mary Convent of Mercy and dedicated her life to serving the needy.
Troparion to Elizabeth
Having hidden your princely dignity with humility, / God-wise Elizabeth, / you honored Christ with the deep service of Martha and Mary, / you have purified yourself with mercy, patience and love, / as you offered a righteous sacrifice to God / We, who honor your virtuous life and suffering, / as a true mentor We earnestly ask you: / Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth, / pray to Christ God / to save and enlighten our souls.
Rev. Efrosin will help you find a job as a cook, restaurant worker, or any other profession related to cooking. The saint worked modestly in the kitchen, performing secret deeds for the sake of Christ. None of the monks imagined that a humble kitchen worker had become pleasing to the Lord. This was revealed to one of the clergy, who saw the cook Euphrosynus in the Garden of Eden.
Common Troparion to the Reverend Fathers
In you, father, it is known that you were saved in the image: / for you accepted the cross, you followed Christ, / and you taught in action to despise the flesh, for it passes away, / to be diligent about the souls, things that are immortal. / In the same way, the angels also rejoice, Reverend [name of the rivers], your spirit.
If you want to connect your activities with trade, pray to the holy martyr John of Sochava.
Troparion to John of Sochava
Caring for life on earth with kindness, through suffering, / with alms, and frequent prayers, and tears, / and courageously striving towards suffering, / you denounced the Persian wickedness. /Thou art also the affirmation of the Church, /and praise of Christians, /John of ever-memorial.
During his lifetime, the saint was engaged in trade. Thanks to constant prayer to the Lord, his affairs were successful. He provided for himself and gave alms to the needy.
Which saints should you pray to if there is no patron saint identified for your chosen profession?
Today there are many specialties that did not exist in the times when the holy ascetics lived. You can ask other patron saints for help in finding a job.
Those who have not decided on their choice of profession can turn to the saints, who help in all difficult situations. First of all, they pray to the saint whose name they bear.
St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is a strong prayer book before the Lord for all workers, therefore, asking for his help, believers read an akathist to the saint. He helps people who want to change jobs or are afraid of being fired. The saint is also the patron saint of students. For help in finding work, they turn to the blessed Matrona of Moscow and Ksenia of St. Petersburg. They lived among people, seeing their needs and helping those in need as best they could.
Prayer of Xenia of St. Petersburg
O holy all-blessed mother Ksenia! You who lived under the shelter of the Most High, led and strengthened by the Mother of God, endured hunger and thirst, cold and heat, reproach and persecution, received the gift of clairvoyance and miracles from God and rested under the shadow of the Almighty. Now the Holy Church, like a fragrant flower, glorifies you.
Standing at the place of your burial, before your holy image, as if you were alive and present with us, we pray to you: accept our petitions and bring them to the Throne of the Merciful Heavenly Father, as you have boldness towards Him. Ask those who flow to you for eternal salvation, for our good deeds and undertakings to receive a generous blessing, and for deliverance from all troubles and sorrows.
Stand before our All-Merciful Savior with your holy prayers for us, unworthy and sinners. Help, holy blessed mother Xenia, to illuminate the infants with the light of holy baptism and to seal them with the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, to educate boys and girls in faith, honesty, fear of God and grant them success in learning; heal the sick and ailing, send down love and harmony to families; Honor those who are monastics to fight a good fight and protect them from reproach, strengthen the shepherds in the strength of the Holy Spirit, preserve our people and country in peace and tranquility, pray for those deprived of communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ in the dying hour.
You are our hope and hope, quick hearing and deliverance, we send thanks to you and with you we glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
A huge number of pilgrims come to the chapel at the grave of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg every day. Many of them ask for help in finding work - the main source of livelihood in the city. The saint especially patronizes women who raise children without a husband, widows, and pregnant women. The icon of Xenia of St. Petersburg is considered miraculous. Before her they pray for healing and the birth of children, for the granting of work and stable income for the family.
Blessed Matrona of Moscow was blind from birth, but she had the gift of insight, seeing the need of everyone. While she was still alive, she said: “After I die, talk to me as if I were alive, and I will hear and help everyone.”
Prayer to Matrona of Moscow
O blessed Mother Matrono, with your soul standing in heaven before the Throne of God, with your body resting on earth, and exuding various miracles by the grace given from above.
Look now with your merciful eye on us, sinners, in sorrows, illnesses and sinful temptations, our waiting days, comfort us, desperate ones, heal our fierce ailments, from God we are allowed by our sins, deliver us from many troubles and circumstances, pray to our Lord Jesus Christ forgive us all our sins, iniquities and falls, in whose image we have sinned from our youth even to this day and hour, and through your prayers having received grace and great mercy, we glorify in the Trinity the One God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and ever. Amen.
In search of work, they pray to the holy martyr Tryphon. Once the falconer of Ivan the Terrible, Tryphon, lost the royal falcon, for which he could have lost a good position at that time. He searched for the bird for a long time, constantly praying to his patron. Tired, he fell asleep in the forest and in a dream he saw the martyr Tryphon with a falcon on his hand. Waking up, the falconer saw a missing bird near him. Remembering this incident, believers ask the martyr to find a good job.
Troparion martyr. Tryphon
Divine food, most blessed, / enjoying endlessly in Heaven, / cover your memory with songs of glorification / and save from all need, / drive away animals that harm the fields, / so that we always cry out to you in love: / Rejoice, Tryphon, strengthening of the martyrs.
Anyone in need can turn to Mitrofan of Voronezh for help in finding a job. It helps in finding a job, protects against temptation, and heals from mental and physical illnesses.
Prayer to the Apostle Peter will relieve you from doubts and worries, protect you from temptations and strengthen your spirit. He is considered the patron saint of fishermen. Prayer will help in a difficult situation and help you get out of it. Even during his lifetime, Peter possessed the gift of casting out demons, resurrection and healing. Having denied Christ three times, he was forgiven for his desire to atone for sin and his strong faith. When he was executed, he asked to be crucified upside down, since he considered himself unworthy to accept the same death as the Savior.
Spiridon Trimifuntsky
Spyridon of Trimifuntsky is one of those who, even after earthly life, serves God and helps the suffering. When his incorruptible relics are discovered on the day of remembrance of a saint, the boots he is wearing, which are changed every year, turn out to be worn out. “A saint walks the Earth,” people say.
Prayer in front of the icon of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky brings healing to physical weakness and helps with material problems.
There are many testimonies of how he helped find a job, find a roof over his head, and settle financial issues. Even people who were previously far from faith received support from him, which radically changed their lives.
Prayer to avoid being fired
If there is a risk of losing a job, a person can turn to Archangel Michael in prayer. He is considered the most powerful Patron Angel, who has incredible strength. The Archangel helps everyone who turns to him with sincere prayer.
When starting to pray, you need to remember that the slightest doubt can nullify all your efforts. Ask with complete confidence that this or that saint will definitely help. It’s good to put things in order in your soul before praying: repent of your sins, forgive offenses, ask for forgiveness from those you offended, and make peace with loved ones.
When asking for help, don’t be idle yourself. Go for interviews with different organizations, even agree to offers of free internships. Only God knows what paths he will take us to our dream job.
Where to begin?
The Holy Venerable Neil the Faster (or as he is also called the ascetic of Sinai) at one time said something like this: when you want to find a job, let your tongue sing and your mind pray - God demands that we always remember Him. Therefore, any business, especially a call for help, should begin with a common prayer - the Lord’s Prayer (usually also called “Our Father”):
And then you should turn to God with these words:
Afterwards, order a prayer service in the church (thanksgiving), take the time to defend the service, and make a donation (sacrifice) to the church from the first salary you receive at your new place.
