Anyone who sincerely believes in God and wants to receive answers from Him knows that communication with Him begins with prayer. But sometimes people doubt how to turn to the Almighty and where to start their conversation. The Lord Himself gives the answer to all those who seek Him in the Holy Scriptures. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke contain the text of the Lord's Prayer. This is an example of how every person can turn to the Creator. This publication will consider options written in Old Church Slavonic and modern Russian, and also provides approximate interpretations of sacred texts.
In Old Church Slavonic
Below is the complete prayer “Our Father” in Church Slavonic:
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, just as we forgive our debtors;
and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Amen.
Interpretation
“Who art in heaven” translated from Church Slavonic means “Who art in heaven.” Some people pronounce words like “hedgehogs in heaven,” but this is wrong.
Over the centuries-old history of Christianity, many interpretations of the prayer appeal have appeared.
Since the birth of Christianity, there have been many versions, and, perhaps, every clergyman considered it his duty to touch upon the topic of prayer at least once in his sermons or religious treatises.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the interpretations of different thinkers, priests and monks often contradict each other.
First of all, this can be explained by the fact that the sacred text contains a multifaceted and subtle meaning, which different people can explain in their own way.
Moreover, often the depth of God's Word is revealed to the same person in a new way at different periods of life. Its entire meaning is revealed only to the Creator Himself, and it is impossible to fully convey the entire essence, but you can try to briefly formulate the main points that should prompt further reflection.
Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Novosibirsk
Prayers
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to the Father (Small Doxology)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary (Angel's Greeting)
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried, descended into hell, rose from the dead on the third day, ascended to heaven and he sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Universal Church, the communion of saints, forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body, eternal life. Amen.
I Believe (Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed)
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, everything visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages: God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father, through whom all things were created. For the sake of us, people, and for the sake of our salvation, He came down from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became Man; crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and buried, rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and to His Kingdom there will be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giving Lord, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, to whom, together with the Father and the Son, befits worship and glory, who spoke through the prophets. And into one Holy Ecumenical and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Under Your protection
We resort to Your protection, Most Holy Theotokos. Do not despise our prayers in our sorrows, but always deliver us from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Our Lady, our Defender, our Intercessor, reconcile us with Your Son, entrust us to Your Son, bring us all to Your Son. Amen.
Angel of the Lord
P. The angel of the Lord told Mary, B. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary... P. Behold, Servant of the Lord; B. Let it be done to me according to your word. Hail Mary... P. And the Word became Flesh, V. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary... P. Pray for us, Most Holy Theotokos. V. May we be rewarded with the fulfillment of Christ’s promises.
P. Let's pray. We ask You, Lord, fill our souls with Your grace, so that with its help we come to know the incarnation of Christ, Your Son, announced by the angel, and through His suffering and cross we achieve the glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Or:
God, eternal Wisdom; The Most Pure Virgin, through an angelic greeting, received Your ineffable Word and became a living temple of the Holy Spirit. Help us, following Her example, to humbly follow Your will and make us Your holy abode. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Ten Commandments of God
- I am the Lord your God, so that you may have no other gods besides Me.
- Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
- Remember the day of the Lord
- Honor your father and mother
- Dont kill
- Don't commit adultery
- Don't steal
- Don't speak false witness
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's property
The Greatest of the Commandments
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength, and your neighbor as yourself.
Five Church Commandments
- Celebrate Sunday as the Lord's Day and attend Sunday and Feast Mass regularly.
- Regularly, or at least once a year, take part in the sacrament of Repentance (confession)
- Regularly, or at least once a year (during Easter), take part in the sacrament of the Eucharist
- On the days established by the Church, fast
- Help the Church and your community
Seven Holy Sacraments
1. Baptism 2. Confirmation 3. Eucharist 4. Repentance 5. Anointing of the Sick 6. Priesthood 7. Marriage
Deadly sins
- Pride
- Greed
- Envy
- Anger
- Debauchery
- Intemperance
- Laziness
Cardinal virtues
1. Prudence 2. Justice 3. Courage 4. Temperance
Three Virtues of God
1. Faith 2. Hope 3. Love
Works of mercy for the body
- Feed the hungry.
- Give drink to the thirsty
- Clothe the naked
- Welcome a stranger into your home
- Visit a prisoner
- Visit a sick person
- Bury the deceased
Works of mercy for the soul
- Convert a sinner
- Teach the unenlightened
- Give advice to a doubter
- Comfort the Grieving
- Endure hardships patiently
- Forgive offenses from the bottom of your heart
- Pray for the living and the dead
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Wisdom
- Intelligence
- Advice
- Fortress
- Maintaining
- Piety
- Fear of the Lord
Basic good deeds
1. Prayer 2. Fasting 3. Almsgiving
Hail, Queen! (Salve, Regina)
Hail, Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, joy and hope, glory. We cry to You in exile, children of Eve, we sigh to You, groaning and weeping in this valley of tears. O our Intercessor! Direct your eyes of mercy upon us, and show Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb, to us after this exile. Oh meekness, oh mercy, oh joy, Virgin Mary!
To the Guardian Angel
Holy Angel of God, guardian and patron of my soul! Always be with me, morning, evening, day and night, guide me on the path of God’s commandments and remove all temptations of evil from me. Amen.
Prayer for the Church
Lord our God, always protect Your Church, protecting her from all difficulties along the path of her earthly journey. Keep it in the world, and let it be in this world a living sign of Your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Christian Unity
Eternal Father, according to Your infinite mercy, You sent Your Only Begotten Son, Who became Man, to die on the cross for the salvation of the human race. He, our Lord Jesus Christ, commanded us to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Luke 10:2). So, we, Your unworthy servants, pray to You: for the sake of the same infinite mercy of Yours, for the sake of the mystery of redemption and the precious Blood shed by Jesus, Your Divine Son, for the salvation of the whole world, for the sake of His immeasurable merits and the merits of His Church, and especially for the sake of the merits of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven - forever kindle in the hearts of all Your people the fire of Your divine love, so that with all their souls they care about their eternal salvation and the eternal salvation of their neighbors, and so that on earth there will soon be one flock and one Shepherd (John 10.16), yes Your divine mercy will be glorified in the highest forever. Trusting in Your grace, which we ask for, we appeal to all the heavenly hosts, so that they may eternally glorify You, saying: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Chaplet to Divine Mercy
First: “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” and “I Believe in God.” On large grains: “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins and the sins of the whole world.” On small beads: “For the sake of His Suffering, be merciful to us and to the whole world.” At the end 3 times: “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us and the whole world.”
Ten Commandments of God
1. I am the Lord thy God: thou shalt have no other gods besides Me. 2. Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. 3. Remember that you must sanctify holidays. 4. Honor your father and your mother. 5. Don't kill. 6. Do not commit adultery. 7. Don't steal. 8. Do not bear false witness against your neighbor. 9. Do not covet his wife. 10. Don't wish him well.
Two commandments of love
1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Golden Rule (Mt 7:12)
In everything you want people to do to you, do the same to them.
Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you and slander you in every way unjustly because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
Three Theological Virtues
Faith. Hope. Love.
Four cardinal virtues
Prudence. Justice. Abstinence. Courage.
Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Wisdom. Intelligence. Advice. Fortress. Maintaining. Piety. Fear of the Lord.
Five Commandments of the Church
1. Participate in Mass on Sundays and other prescribed holidays, and be free from labor and affairs that could interfere with the consecration of these days. 2. Confess your sins by approaching the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year. 3. Begin the sacrament of the Eucharist at least on Easter. 4. Abstain from meat foods and observe fasting on the days prescribed by the Church. 5. Support the Church in material needs, each to the best of his ability.
Seven acts of mercy towards one's neighbor
1. Feed the hungry. 2. Give drink to the thirsty. 3. Dress naked. 4. Shelter strangers. 5 Visit the sick 6. Visit prisoners. 7. Bury the dead.
Seven acts of mercy for the soul of a neighbor
1. Give advice to a doubter. 2. Instruct the ignorant. 3. Exhort the sinner. 4. Comfort the mourner. 5. Forgive offenses. 6. Tolerate a bothersome person patiently. 7. Pray for the living and the dead.
Seven cardinal sins
1. Pride. 2. Stinginess. 3. Envy. 4. Anger. 5. Lust. 6. Gluttony (Gluttony). 7. Dejection.
(From the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church)
How and when to read prayers
You can turn to the Almighty at any time when there is a need for it.
But, as a rule, it is customary to pray in the morning and evening. In the morning hours, prayer helps to tune in to the right mood, to enlist the support and protection of the Lord.
In the evening, you can thank Him for your day, share what is in your heart, and prepare for new events in life. Such a conversation will allow you to receive guidance on the right path, give you comfort and encouragement.
At the same time, it is extremely important that the words come from the heart; therefore, you should not mindlessly repeat the text like a tongue twister. The Lord's Prayer is, first of all, an example of turning to God.
It is difficult to reach Him by pronouncing memorized phrases in which sincere feelings and experiences were not invested.
To understand the meaning even deeper, it is worth reading the psalms.
They clearly show how King David and other saints spoke with the Lord. He gave us a plan, a direction in which we can and should pray so that the spoken words correspond to His will.
Story
The history of the origin of the Lord's Prayer is described verbatim in the books of the Gospel. One day, the disciples turned to Christ, asking him to teach them to pray (the gospel of Luke), in response, He uttered words of prayer.
Useful materials
Time has not preserved the text in Christ’s native language, which was the Galilean dialect of Aramaic. The first written sources convey to us the prayer in “Koine,” a type of ancient Greek. “Our Father” is contained in two Gospel texts (Luke and Matthew), and the second version presents it in a more expanded form, as part of the Lord’s famous Sermon on the Mount.
The Church uses a variant of prayer. One of the oldest sources is the Didache, dating back to the first century AD. contains text from the Matthew Gospel. Established scholars of Scripture believe that the closing doxology of the prayer ("For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen") has Old Testament origins and was part of early Christian liturgical practice.
Main thought
You need to talk with the Creator with pure intentions, in simplicity of heart, with the desire to selflessly follow predetermined intentions, not for the sake of rewards or acquiring anything material. It is important to be ready to carry out the will of the Creator.
To better understand what God wants, it is necessary to study the Scriptures, comprehend their essence, and ask to discover their true meaning.
At the same time, treat with love and respect. Remember that the Almighty is gladly ready to accept anyone who sincerely repents of their sins, wants to follow Him, and recognize Him more and more day by day.
