Prayer for animals - is it possible to pray, to whom and how?

Do animals have souls?

According to the teachings of the Church, animals have a soul that is different in nature from humans. The souls of animals are not an independent entity, separate from the body. Therefore, prayer for animals is different from prayer for humans.

Saint Basil the Great, in his Commentary on the Six Days, wrote:

“Since, according to Scripture, the soul of every animal is its blood (Leviticus 17:11), and condensed blood usually turns into flesh, and decayed flesh decomposes into the earth, then, in all fairness, the soul of animals is something earthly.” Therefore, the concept of “soul in animals” should be understood as that due to which the body of an animal is enlivened and made alive in comparison with inanimate nature.

Pets

Prayer to the Lord for the salvation and health of animals

Our Lord protects not only people, but also “all creatures,” which can be confirmed in the Bible. Therefore, in case of illnesses in domestic animals, you can turn the words of prayer for the health of the animal to God, being firmly convinced that it will be heard.

Lord, our God, mighty and mighty God, who has the power of life and death, who saves people and livestock and quickly sends what they ask to everyone who comes to You with faith and their petitions. performing graciously! To You we, Your unworthy servants, falling humbly, with faith in a contrite heart, we ask and tenderly pray: look mercifully on this cattle, overcome by heavy weakness and disease. lip, and quickly heal with the power of Your blessing, extinguishing the fire burning inside its (cattle) and relieving illness; change the winds that are harmful and destroy him to favorable ones and grant him life and health, for the sake of the prayers of Your faithful people who cry to You: according to the prayers of our Most Pure Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, by the power of the Honest and Life-giving Cross, by the protection of the heavenly Forces, bodiless, honest and glorious the prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, the holy glorious and all-praised apostles, the holy victorious martyrs, the holy unmercenary doctors: Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Panteleimon and all of Your saints, for You are the source of life and its giver, and You save people and livestock , and we give glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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Prayer for animals - is this possible?

The Holy Scriptures say that man was made ruler over the animals (Genesis 1:26). Dominion means caring. One type of this concern can be called prayer, turning to the Lord for help. God rules the whole world, people and animals, by the law of mercy and truth. Therefore, from King David you can find the following words: “Save man and beast, O Lord” (Psalm 35:7).

The Orthodox Church does not prohibit praying for animals. Especially about pets, who are completely dependent on their owners. But prayer for pets should not be for the repose of their souls. Beasts do not have an immortal soul; they were not created in the image of God.

Archimandrite John Krestyankin (1910-2006) in his book “Reflections on the Immortal Soul” explained how the human soul differs from the animal soul:

“In its lower part, it (the human soul) is similar to the soul of animals, but its spirituality elevates it above the soul of animals and plants. When creating the human soul, God created it in the image of the Spirit, putting into it the images and laws of virtue: prudence, knowledge, prudence, faith, love and other virtues. The soul is the source from which a person’s activity flows in his actions, in his determination (for good or for evil); This is the connection that gives our human nature the opportunity to be close to God, inspires the desire to strive for God. The soul is a piece of God in us.”

How to pray for animals if they do not have an immortal soul? There is no point in praying to the Lord for a better afterlife fate for animals. It is quite another to pray for the healing of animals when they are sick. In your prayers you can ask that animals not get lost, and if they are lost, that they be found.

As it is written in the Holy Scriptures: “The righteous cares for the life of his livestock, but the heart of the wicked is hard” (Book of Proverbs, 12:10).

Reading rules

Through prayer, a person comes to understand what love for God and mercy for other people means. One who reads prayers regularly lives in Divine joy and has eternal blessing. The rules for reading prayers to Saint Blaise are simple, do not require special preparation, but help everyone who trusts him.

• They often go to church with requests. All the decoration of the church, sacred rituals, and temple chants help a person to immerse himself in the mystery of faith, experience unconditional love and spiritual awe. You should light a candle at the icon of the holy martyr and sincerely pray to him.
• If it is not possible to go to church, you can indulge in prayer at home. It is advisable to have an image of a saint; together with prayer, this will help not only people, but also pets to constantly be under the protection of Higher powers. You need to light a candle in front of the icon and read the prayer sincerely, slowly, with feeling.
• Any prayer, as theologians say, heals not only the body, but also the soul. To do this, it must become continuous, that is, repeated day after day and accompany the believer throughout his life.
• The prayer can be repeated many times. Rosary beads are used for this. By sorting through them, a person enters a state of Divine presence. This helps remove all extraneous thoughts from your head.

Prayers addressed to the Hieromartyr Blasius never go unanswered. You just need to believe in the miracle of healing and be grateful for what life is already filled with.

Which saint should we pray for animals?

Is there a patron saint of animals in Orthodoxy? The history of Christianity knows many such saints. Their prayer to the Lord for animals often helped in healing from illnesses. Saints Florus and Laurus, Blaise of Sebastia, Cosmas and Damian are revered as such patrons of domestic animals.

Saints Florus and Laurus - patron saints of animals

The veneration of the holy brothers Florus and Laurus (2nd century) as patrons of animals began with the discovery of their relics in the Roman province of Illyricum (modern Macedonia). Just at that time the loss of livestock stopped. In Rus', in ancient icon painting originals there was even a special instruction. Saints Florus and Laurus were required to be depicted with horses, whose patrons they were considered. According to Tradition, one day the holy brothers helped a shepherd in searching for his missing horses. Therefore, prayers for animals were most often addressed specifically to them.

Evgeny Nikolaevich Trubetskoy, philosopher and publicist, described the iconographic plot of “The Miracle of Flora and Laurel”:

“It was Florus and Laurus, more than any other saints, who preserved the folk, Russian, even downright peasant appearance. But they, having dominion over the horses, themselves, in turn, have their own guiding Angel, depicted on the icon... There remains no doubt that they are not independent bearers of heavenly power, but only merciful intercessors for the needs of a farmer who has lost or was afraid to lose your main wealth is your horse.”

Holy doctors Cosmas and Damian

The holy brothers Cosmas and Damian (3rd century) became famous as unmercenary doctors who did not charge for treatment. The saints also took care of dumb animals. Walking through deserts and forests, they also treated sick animals. Those, in gratitude for their healing, followed them in whole herds. One day the holy brothers healed a camel from rabies. After this, the animal, as Tradition says, spoke in human language, admonishing Christians to bury the holy brothers together.

Saint Blaise of Sebaste

The life of Saint Blaise of Sebaste (3rd-4th century) tells that during the persecution of Christians he lived in a cave on Mount Argeos (Turkey). There the saint spent time in fasting and prayer. Once a poor widow turned to Saint Blaise for help. Her only pig was carried away by a wolf. Vlasiy told her to go home, and he himself began to pray to the Lord.

After some time, the wolf returned the live piglet to the widow, carrying it in his teeth. According to his life, Saint Blaise also healed wild animals that came to his cave. Moreover, their healing was preceded by a prayer for animals, addressed from the saint to God.

What do they pray to the saint for?

When addressing a saint, gratitude should come first. And only then you can ask for assistance.

• People turn to him if their pets are sick or need help during the birth of livestock.
• The saint helps those people who are overtaken by illness.
• Prayers addressed to the holy martyr relieve need. He who reads them will always have enough food for his family.
• They ask the miracle worker to help tame animals and find mutual understanding with them.

Saints and their animals

After the Fall, people lost the gift of commanding animals. After being expelled from Paradise, they began to hunt animals and eat them. The animals, in turn, began to pay them back on occasion. But with the coming of the Savior into the world, people had the opportunity to restore unity with God. As a result of this, some saints were able to find a language of communication with animals.

The Church knows many stories from the lives of saints who were served by wild animals who were grateful for the help they once provided. Their devotion reminded them of the animals in the Garden of Eden.

Venerable Macarius and the Hyena

The Monk Macarius of Alexandria (4th century) was distinguished by his particular asceticism and demands on himself. One day a hyena brought him their blind puppy. Saint Macarius spat in his eyes and prayed to the Lord. The puppy regained his sight. Then the grateful hyena, running to the saint another time, brought a sheep skin as a gift. The monk became angry and said that he would not take this gift. Then the hyena knelt with her front paws and bowed her head, as if begging the saint. Macarius agreed to take the skin. But only when he received “consent” from the hyena that she would no longer take sheep from poor people.

Saint Gerasimos and the lion

Saint Gerasimos of Jordan (5th century) is notable for many Christians because he had a lion friend. He found him in the Egyptian desert with a wounded paw. Having washed the wound, Gerasim bandaged it. And the lion, in gratitude for the help, followed the saint to the monastery. Since the lion did not want to leave the monk, he was given “obedience” (doing certain work). Lev Jordan (as he was called) was supposed to graze the only donkey in the monastery, which carried water. One hot summer, a lion fell asleep under a bush. A caravan passed by. Seeing the donkey grazing alone, people took it for themselves.

After awakening, not finding the donkey, the lion returned to the monastery alone. All the monks thought that the lion had eaten the colt. Then Jordan received a new “obedience”: to carry water on himself. Leo, obedient to the Monk Gerasim, coped with this. After some time, the caravan returned the same way. The lion, noticing his donkey there, ran towards him. People got scared and started to run away. But Jordan, taking the monastery donkey back by the bridle, led him to the Monk Gerasim. So the lion lived in the monastery for another five years. After the death of Saint Gerasim, the lion did not leave the grave of his elder. He died there from grief.

“Child” of Elder Paisius the Holy Mountain

Elder Paisiy Svyatogorets (1924-1994) loved animals very much. One day in the forest he met a bear, to whom the old man humbly gave way. But the bear gently nudged Paisius with his paw, thereby showing that the old man should be the first to walk along the path.

A robin bird flew into the elder's cell. She especially loved to visit the elder when he was praying. One day, seeing a bird next to his cell, the elder began to invite it to his place. But she didn’t want to fly to him. Then Paisiy decided to give her a name and called her Olet (“olet” means “child” in the language of the Sinai Bedouins). When the elder called the robin by name, it immediately flew to him and even allowed himself to be stroked. It is worth noting that usually these birds avoid people and do not fly close to them.

Prayer for the blessing of the flock

Master, Lord our God, who has power over all creatures, we pray to You, and we ask You, as You blessed and multiplied the flock of the patriarch Jacob, bless the herd of these cattle of Your servant (name), and multiply, and strengthen, and make them into thousands, and deliver from the violence of the devil, and from foreigners, and from every slander of enemies, and the air of death, and destructive illness: protect with your holy angels, all weakness, all envy, and temptation, sorcery and sorcery, from the actions of the devil, driving away from him: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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The ritual must be performed on the waning moon on Friday.
You will need: a bowl of water and a church candle. Light a candle and read prayers on the water (the breath should touch the water) in the following order: “Our Father” - 1 time Prayer for healing an animal (see below) - 3 times. Lord, send healing to the animal (name the animal and its name). Forgive, God, the owners of this animal for their sins and sins, voluntary and involuntary. Go away the pain, go away the disease, leave the body (name it) and go into oblivion. “Our Father” - 1 time Put out the candle without blowing (with your fingers, a spoon or a special cap, etc.) and hide it until the next time a similar ritual is performed. Then wash and water the animal. Regarding giving you something to drink, I want to make a clarification right away - it’s enough for the animal to immediately take at least a couple of sips from the bowl or lick the water from your hand. Place the rest of the water along with the bowl next to his food and let him drink whenever and as much as he wants. This method can be used in addition to treatment prescribed by a veterinarian, or as an independent remedy. Getting rid of disease and damage to animals
To remove damage from a cat, dog or other small pet, carry a knife over the animal’s back, moving it from left to right with the tip forward. Next, bring the knife under your belly with the handle forward and again over your back. Make three such complete circles around the animal with a knife, saying the spell: “I cut off all the damage, all the evil eye from (name of the animal and nickname). Recoil from this beast, all your thinness, all your torment, don’t hide in the fur, don’t take root in the belly, go three seas away, don’t come back. Let it be so!". After this, go to a deserted place, stick the knife into the ground up to the hilt and summarize your actions: “Everything said turned into action, everything done was determined in favor.” *If you remove the induced evil from a horse or cow (and other large animals), then do it with an assistant, to whom you pass the knife over the back and take it from him under the belly of the animal.

Treatment of a pet If your pet gets sick or experiences some kind of anxiety and refuses to eat, make the following herbal mixture: three parts of thistle, one part of juniper, one part of wormwood. You need to take dried herbs that are sold in pharmacies, or you can collect and dry them yourself. Pour hot water over the herbs. For the infusion, recite the spell: “What I think will come true, what I say will come true, what I wash will be cleansed. Let it be so!" When the water has cooled, wash your pet with it, saying: “I conjure with the black earth, I command the clear sun, I affirm with the full moon: Get out of the living place all the evil eyes and damage, all the influxes and tortures to the dark forests, to the swampy swamps, to the rotten logs, where people don’t walk, cattle don’t wander, animals don’t prowl, birds don’t fly. Just as there is no hindrance to the sun and moon, there is no hindrance to my conspiracy and there will not be any hindrance. Amen". There is no need to wet the animal too much. You shouldn’t wipe it either; let the animal lick itself.

Removing negativity from an animal. Pour salt into the bowl and say a spell over it: “As the aboveground power is established over the underground, so all evil spirits will be destroyed from the living place.” Walk around the animal three times in the direction of the sun, so that you always face it. While doing this, sprinkle it with salt and say: “I destroy black with white, I drive out damage to white, I add strength to white. It’s a bad thing, step back, dissolve the evil thought, close the evil eye, move away from the living place. My word is confirmation and strengthening, with it I affirm, with it I strengthen, with it I close.”

To speak distemper to a dog Read on water for a dog: Oh, Saint Joseph, you who had a dog, the one whom she saved from the Chaldeans in your dream. You, who have acquired holy rank and a holy crown. Save my dog ​​from death. One tear will resurrect him. Amen.

Speak to a dog's wound. If your dog is bleeding from a wound, speak to (stop) the bleeding. Then read the plot to heal the wound quickly. It is noticed that after the second time the wound closes and heals. Read for three evenings in total. So, first, to calm the blood: Two brothers are cutting a stone, two sisters are looking out the window, two mothers-in-law are standing at the gate. You, sister, turn away, and you, blood, calm down. You, brother, humble yourself, and you, blood, shut up. The brother runs, the sister screams, the mother-in-law grumbles. And be my word strong to calm the blood, to this hour, to this very minute. To close the wound: Edge to edge, skin to skin, fur to fur, everything should heal. Amen.

If your eyes fester. Look directly into the eyes of a dog (or other animal) and say this: Clean water, clean eyes, wash away the disease, tear. Amen. You need to speak three times

For worms in dogs. As a dog goes out into the street through the threshold for the first time that day in the morning, you need to immediately say after it: As you walk over the threshold, let all the worms leave you. Just as it is true that you are about to piss, it is also true that the worms will leave you. Amen.

If there is a difficult birth in animals. A cow is calving, a dog is whelping, a mare is foaling; Everyone has a different name for the genera. But everyone has the same torment. You can give them relief with a special incantation: By opening the golden gates, I relieve heavy labors, birth cramps, drive away torments - both original and all-born. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What to do if a dog howls. The dog, raising its muzzle up, howls at the fire or death of its neighbors. If she howls with her head down, then it is to the deceased from the owner’s family. If he howls while standing or lying down, he will die. If she reaches out to someone, without stopping howling, it will lead to long disasters. To avert trouble in these cases, you should do this. When you go out the gate (or from the entrance), say three times, preferably out loud: Trouble does not come through these gates, the dog barks, but the wind blows. Amen. If the dog howls, close the curtain and open it again, saying: Howl, bitch, howl, don’t take away my peace.

So that the dog or cat does not run away. Cut off the hair of the dog (cat) from the head, back and tail and tuck it into the cracks at the threshold or cut it directly into the threshold with the words: How this hair will stay in the threshold is how the dog would stay in the house. Amen.

Remove lichen from animals. Cut the apple into two halves over the head of the sick animal. They carry the apple to the bridge, over the water, place it on different sides of the railing near the bridge with the words: How this apple was whole and became divided, how I put its two sides opposite each other, so that my cattle do not have deprivation. Amen.

Speak fistula in animals. There is a dry shalga in an open field. Just as on that shalga neither grass grows nor a flower blooms, so that my cattle would have no fistula, no wound, no bleeding, no ulcers, no diseased growths, no serious illness. I lock it with my strength, my will, my word. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

From thorn in animals. Saint Yuri rode on a gray horse, in a gray zhupan, and three dogs ran after him. One is gray, the other is white, and the third is black. And he drives away the gray thorn, and he drives away the white thorn, and he drives away the black thorn from the gray suit, from the yellow suit. Whisper three times before sunset in front of the cattle.

Pre-conspiracy prayers: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Eternal Heavenly Father, You said with Your most pure lips that nothing can be done without You. I ask for your help! I begin every business with You, for Your glory and the salvation of my soul. And now, and forever, and forever and ever. Amen." “Nicholas, saint of God, helper of God. You are in the field, you are in the house, on the road, and on the road, in heaven and on earth: intercede and save from all evil.” We read the Lord's Prayer “Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Our animals need to be blessed and dedicated to God. We must pray for them. We must take care of their biological needs and their health. We must educate them. Animals that live in pairs must be kept this way. Animals bred at home must have a sufficiently free environment for their existence. There should be no cramped small cages, cramped aquariums, etc. Animals that somehow came to us from nature and are not capable of living in captivity must have the opportunity to return to nature. We must thank God for the animals He has given us and teach other people how to treat animals properly.

So that the animal does not get lost Place the animal in front of a large mirror so that it sees its reflection in it, and say: Just as the reflection of its master always finds, so this cat (dog) will always find its home. As long as the mirror is in your home, your pet will always find its way home.

Prayer to St. Modest from the death of livestock “Having shone with great virtues, mercy and kindness, you were honored with grace from the Lord, St. Modest, and not only healed people from illness, but also animals. You resurrected the dead animals of a certain Jerusalemite who had a lot of livestock. Having heard us flowing to you, and now hastening us to come to your aid, deliver our cattle from illness and death, heal them and make them healthy, so that, seeing them prosperous, we thank God, who is merciful to all his creatures and sends us all kinds of blessings. Amen!"

Amulet for animals Take an icon of the Mother of God (any) holding it in front of you in your arms, walk around the animal three times and read the amulet: Most Holy Lady Theotokos, Save and preserve my dog ​​(name), Christian animal, In the house and outside the house, From an evil person , From the creeping serpent, From the burning fire, from the tearing fangs, From sticky diseases, From envious eyes and words, From unscrupulous arrogant thieves, Be my words, stronger than a strong knife, And a damask sword, The key is in the sea, the lock is in the company. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer to the holy martyrs Florus and Laurus

Dear martyrs Flora and Lavra, it is not the earth that has hidden you, but heaven has welcomed you, so that you may be prayer books and intercessors for those who honor your honorable memory with love. Pray for us, kindly hard workers, that the Lord will move us, in our labors and oppression, to do His commandments, not only about food and drink, but also about how to please the Lord; bless us with our sorrow and sighing, and may our souls not become embittered to the end, but may they be inflamed with love for each other, may we remain in peace and unanimity, like you, in self-bred bliss.

Most of all, confirm us in the holy and right faith that is in our hearts, we will not be afraid of reproach and humiliation and any circumstances in which we are possessed, but since we have accepted this test of the strength of our faith with thanksgiving, we will keep the good confession, and in it we will pass on from this vale to the eternal Kingdom of our Lord, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to Saints Cosmas and Damian

Oh, wonderworkers of glory, physicians of mercilessness, Cosmo and Damian! You, who have loved Christ God from your youth, have received not only the art of healing, but moreover the inexhaustible grace of healing all sorts of ailments from God. Likewise, you will soon hear us, who fall before your honorable icon. Young children, asking for your help in the teaching of the book, instruct them with your prayers, so that your life will be zealous, not just earthly, and may they continually prosper in piety and true faith.

To those who are lying on their sick beds, who are desperate for help in humanity, who come running to you for warmth with faith and fervent prayer, grant healing of illnesses with your merciful miraculous visit: in the same way, from severe illnesses, despondency, cowardice and murmuring have come, strengthen the grace given to you from God in patience and instruct, so that they may understand from them God’s holy and perfect will, and may become partakers of God’s saving grace.

Keep everyone who diligently comes running to you unharmed from severe illnesses, and protect them from sudden death, and through your powerful intercession to God, keep them firmly in the right faith, and those who advance in piety, so that together with you, in the future, they will be honored to ever sing and glorify the All-Holy and magnificent Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the return of a lost dog or cat (or any pet)

“Get ready, my dear animal (name, color of the animal’s fur, breed, cat, dog, other type of animal), to your home every night, just as the Orthodox world gathers for the ringing of bells and church singing. How Ant's children serve and obey their ant king, and how honey bees flock to their nests and do not forget their children and do not leave them. And just as fast rivers, small and large, flow into the glorious ocean-sea, so would you, my animal (name, color of the animal’s fur, breed, name someone - cat, dog, other type of animal), flow towards my voice from all sides : from behind the lakes, from the shifting mosses, from the black swamps, because of the rivers, because of the streams, because of the forests, the night flowed into my house to spend the night, forever. Amen."

Prayer of the Hieromartyr Blaise of Sebaste

Blessed and ever-memorable Hieromartyr Blasius, wondrous sufferer and warm representative of ours, after your departure into eternal life, assist those who call upon your holy name, and promise to be heard in all petitions! Behold, now to you, the saint of God, as to the true intercessor of salvation, we come and humbly pray: come to our aid, bound by the bonds of sins, move to your omnipotent prayers to God and pray for us sinners: for you are unworthy, we dare to call for your intercession, and We wish you to receive liberation from all our sins. O holy saint of God Blasie!

In the contrition and humility of our hearts, we fall before you and pray: shine upon us, darkened by the slander of the enemy, with the light of grace from above, so that walking in it, we will not stumble our feet on a stone. You, as a vessel chosen in honor and filled with the grace of God, we pray: grant us sinners the desired acceptance from your fulfillment, and heal our mental and physical ulcers, and ask the Lord for forgiveness of our sins and for our mental and physical health and salvation that is beneficial, and always We glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession for our souls and bodies, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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How to pray

The saint is addressed both with the words of canonical prayers, akathist, canon, and with one’s own petitions coming from a loving heart. Many of those who received his help say that it is prayer with love, hope, confidence that help is possible and will be that is most pleasant to the saint of God.

Many people strive to pray to him at his relics. Now the head of the saint is in the temple dedicated to him in Kotor (Montenegro). Since 1819, three particles of relics have been embedded in an icon from the Trifonov Church in Moscow. Small parts of the holy remains of the saint can be seen:

• in the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” (Maryina Roshcha, Moscow); here is the reliquary icon of the saint;
• in the monastery of the Holy Trinity (Kitaevsky Monastery) in Kyiv (Ukraine).

For many centuries now, the saint has been tirelessly caring for even the slightest needs of all those who turn to his intercession. His prayer gives consolation, encourages the weak, strengthens the faint-hearted, convincing of the reality not only of God's mercy, but also of the Kingdom of Heaven.