Prayer of the Old Believers according to the PDF leaflet. Practice of cell and cathedral prayer of the Old Believers of Verkhokamye

Old Believer prayers

Morning and evening prayers

In the morning, getting up from sleep, still in bed, cross yourself with prayer:
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Female persons should pronounce “sinful” instead of “sinful”; also in all prayers one should make a declination according to its type.
Rising from bed and washing your face, and in the evening, going to bed, stand with reverence before the holy icons and, looking at them, directing your thoughts to the invisible God and His saints, earnestly, slowly, protecting yourself with the sign of the cross and bowing, say with tenderness the prayer of the publican:
God be merciful to me, a sinner(bow).
Create me, O Lord, and have mercy on me(bow).
Without number of sinners, Lord, have mercy and forgive me, a sinner.(bow).
It is worthy to eat, for truly you are blessed by the Mother of God, ever-blessed and most immaculate, and the Mother of our God. The most honorable cherub, and the most glorious truly seraphim, without corruption of God the Word, who gave birth to the real Mother of God, we magnify You(bow always to the ground).
(bow).
(bow).
(bow).
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Thy Most Pure Mother, by the power of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross, and my holy guardian angel, and for the sake of all the saints, have mercy and save me, a sinner, for He is good and a lover of mankind, amen(bow to the ground, without the sign of the cross).

These prayers are called “beginning”, or incoming and outgoing bows, because they are performed at the beginning and after any prayer rule.
After this, repeat the publican’s prayer with bows ( God is merciful..., Who created me..., Without the number of sinners...) and begin your morning prayers with reverence:
For the prayers of the saints, our father, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen(always bow from the waist).
When praying in the morning, cross yourself and say three times:
Glory to Thee our God, glory to Thee for everyone's sake.

After this, read the prayer of Saint Macarius:
God, cleanse me, a sinner, for I have done no good before You.(bow). But deliver me from evil, and Thy will be done in me(bow). May I open my unworthy lips without condemnation, and may I praise Your holy name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, amen(bow). In the evening " Glory to Thee our God...” and the prayer of St. Macarius is not read.

Next, both in the morning and in the evening, cross yourself and read:
Heavenly King, Comforter, True Soul, who is everywhere and fulfills everything, the treasure of good things, and the Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save our blessed soul.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us(three times with bows).

Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse our sins. Master forgive our iniquities. Visit the saints and heal our infirmities in Your name for our sake.
Lord have mercy(three times).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever, amen.
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 evil.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Lord have mercy(12 times).

Next, read the prayer in the morning:
Having risen from sleep, I thank you, All-Holy Trinity, for you have given me much for the sake of kindness and long-suffering, not being angry with me, a sinner, and your lazy servant, and you have not destroyed me with my iniquities, but my love of mankind. And lying in despair, lift me up, wake up and glorify Your invincible power. And now, Lord Most Holy God, enlighten the eyes of my heart. And open my mouth to learn Thy word, and understand Thy commandments, and do Thy will, and sing to Thee in confession of the heart. Sing and glorify Your most honorable and magnificent name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

After this, both morning and evening read:
Come, let us worship our King God(bow).
Come, let us worship Christ, the King and our God(bow).
Come, let us worship and fall before the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, our King and God(bow).

Then the 50th Psalm (repentant):
Have mercy on me, God, according to Your great mercy. And according to the multitude of Your mercies, cleanse my iniquity. Above all, wash me from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my iniquity and bear away my sin before me. I have sinned against You alone and have done evil before You. For you may be justified in Your words and overcome without ever being judged. I was conceived in iniquity and my mother gave birth to me in sins. You have loved the truth; you have revealed to me the unknown and secret wisdom of Yours. Sprinkle me with hyssop and I will be cleansed. Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Give joy and gladness to my hearing: humble bones will rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and cleanse all my iniquities. God, create in me a pure heart, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not turn me away from Your face, and do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me. Reward me with the joy of Your salvation and strengthen me with the Lord’s spirit. The wicked will learn Your way and turn to You in wickedness. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, God of my salvation; My tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness. Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth will declare Your praise. As if he had wanted a sacrifice, he would have given it; You do not favor burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit: God will not despise a contrite and humble heart. O Lord, bless Zion with Your favor; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then favor the sacrifice of righteousness, the offering and the burnt offering. Then they will place your calf on your altar.

Symbol of faith

Protecting ourselves reverently with the sign of the cross, we pronounce with deep attention the words of the holy fathers of the first Ecumenical Council:

I believe in one God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, the only begotten, who was born of the Father before all ages. Light from Light, true God from true God, born, not created, consubstantial with the Father, by Him all things were.
For our sake, man, and for our salvation, came down from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary became human.
Crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried.
And he rose again on the third day according to the scriptures.
And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And again the coming one will be judged with glory by the living and the dead, His kingdom has no end.

Then the words of the holy fathers of the Second Ecumenical Council:
And in the Holy Spirit, the true and life-giving Lord, who proceeds from the Father, who is worshiped and glorified with the Father and the Son, who spoke the prophets.
And into one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins.
I hope for the resurrection of the dead.
And the life of the next century. Amen.
Then prayers to the Mother of God:
Virgin Mother of God, rejoice, joyful Mary, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you gave birth to Christ the Savior, the Redeemer of our souls(three times with bows).
ABOUT! All-sung Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the most holy Word, having accepted this offering, deliver everyone from every misfortune and the torment that is to come, crying out to You: Alleluia(three times with bows).
Invincible and divine power of the honorable and life-giving Cross of the Lord, do not forsake me, a sinner who trusts in You.(bow).
My Most Holy Lady Theotokos, have mercy on me and save me, and help me now, in this life, and at the end of my soul, and in the future(bow).
All heavenly powers, holy angels and archangels, cherubs and seraphim, have mercy on me and pray for me, a sinner, to the Lord God, and help me now, in this life, and in the outcome of my soul, and in the future(bow).
Angel of Christ, my holy guardian, have mercy on me and pray for me, a sinner, to the Lord God, and help me now, in this life, and at the end of my soul, and in the future(bow).
Great Holy John, Prophet and Forerunner of the Lord, have mercy on me and pray for me, a sinner, to the Lord God, and help me now, in this life, and at the end of my soul, and in the future(bow).
Glorious holy apostles, prophets and martyrs, holy saints, reverends and righteous ones and all saints, have mercy on me and pray for me, a sinner, to the Lord God and help me now, in this life, and at the end of my soul, and in the future(bow).

After this, pray the following prayers three times with bows:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Glory to the Lord, Thy Honest Cross.
Most Holy Lady Theotokos, save me, Thy sinful servant.
Angel of Christ, my holy guardian, save me, Thy sinful servant.
Holy archangels and angels, pray to God for me, a sinner.
Great Saints John, Prophet and Forerunner, Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for me, a sinner.
Holy and glorious prophet Elijah, pray to God for me, a sinner.
Holy forefathers, pray to God for me, a sinner.
Holy prophets, pray to God for me, a sinner.
Holy apostles, pray to God for me, a sinner.
Holy Glorious Apostles and Evangelists: Matthew, Marco, Luke and John the Theologian, pray to God for me, a sinner.
Holy Glorious Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul, pray to God for me, a sinner.
Holy three great saints: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, pray to God for me, a sinner.
Saint Nicholas of Christ, pray to God for me, a sinner.
Our reverend and God-bearing fathers, shepherds and teachers of the universe, pray to God for me, a sinner.
All saints, pray to God for me, a sinner..

After this, pray to the saint whose name you bear, and to the saint celebrated on this date, as well as to other saints whom you wish. Don’t forget to pray and do penance, whatever bows you have from your spiritual father.

Then pray for the health of your parents, relatives and loved ones, saying three times with bows:
Merciful Lord, save and have mercy on Your servants(say names, bow)
Deliver them from all sorrow, anger and need.(bow),
from all illnesses of soul and body(bow).
Forgive them for every sin, voluntary or involuntary.(bow)
(bow).

Then pray for the peace of your parents and loved ones, for your spiritual fathers and for whom you have zeal, saying three times with bows:
Rest, O Lord, the soul of your departed servants(say their names, bow). And in this life, as humans have sinned, You, as the Lover of Mankind, forgive them and have mercy(bow). Deliver us from eternal torment(bow). Make partakers of the kingdom of heaven(bow). And do something useful for our souls(bow).

When finishing your prayers say:
Lord, whether in word, or in deed, or in thought, I have sinned throughout my life, have mercy and forgive me, for Thy mercy’s sake.(bow to the ground).
I place all my hope in You, Mother of God, keep me in Your blood(bow to the ground).
My hope is God, and my refuge is Christ, and my patron is the Holy Spirit.(bow to the ground).
It is worthy to eat... (all prayer and prostration).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit(bow).
And now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen(bow).
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord bless(bow).
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Thy Most Pure Mother and our venerable and God-bearing fathers and all saints, have mercy and save me, a sinner, for I am Good and Lover of Mankind, Amen.

And, bending down to the ground, without crossing yourself, read:
Weaken, forsake, forgive, O God, my sins, voluntary and involuntary, even in word and in deed, both in knowledge and in ignorance, even in mind and in thought, even in days and nights, forgive me all, for I am good and Lover of humanity, Amen.
Having risen, read this prayer with bows:
Forgive those who hate and offend us, Lord Lover of Mankind. Do good to those who do good, to the brethren and to all our relatives, even those who are alone, grant them everything, even petitions for salvation and eternal life(bow).
In the present illnesses, visit and heal, in the prisons of the present freedom, on the floating waters, awaken the Ruler and correct and hasten those who are on their way.(bow).
Lord, remember our captive brethren, fellow believers of the Orthodox faith, and deliver them from every evil situation(bow).
Lord, have mercy on those who gave us alms and commanded us, unworthy, to pray for them, forgive them and have mercy(bow).
Remember, Lord, our fathers and brethren who departed before, and bring them home, where the light of Your face shines(bow).
Remember, Lord, our thinness and wretchedness, and enlighten our minds with the light of reason of Your holy Gospel, and guide us on the path of Your commandments, through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints, Amen(bow).

These prayers end with the usual seven bows.
At the end of your prayers, both in the morning and in the evening, make the sign of the cross, and then kiss your cross, first protecting yourself with it with prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, bless, and sanctify, and preserve by the power of Your Life-Giving Cross.

In the evening, before going to bed, crossing ourselves, we read the prayer to the Cross:
May God rise again, and may His enemies be scattered, and may those who hate Him flee from His face, as smoke disappears, may they disappear, as wax melts in the face of fire, so may demons perish from the face of those who love God and sign themselves with the sign of the cross, and may we rejoice loudly: Rejoice, Cross of the Lord, driving away demons by the power of You, our Lord Jesus Christ, who descended into hell, and trampled upon the power of the devil, and gave us His Honest Cross to drive away every adversary. ABOUT! Most honorable and life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me, with the Most Holy Lady Theotokos and with all the holy heavenly powers, always and now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen.

The Old Believers or Rodovers date back to the period of the ancient Slavs. Then it was a huge tribe that spread not only to the territory of modern Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, but to the Balkans and Baltic states. They worshiped the ancient gods and made rich sacrifices to them in exchange for harvests and peace. Not many people know Old Russian conspiracies. They formed the basis of Slavic magic, and later began to be used by modern practitioners.

They have enormous power, because their power comes from nature, the spiritual connection between man and his ancestors.

If you are looking for strong protective, healing spells, as well as effective damage, then it is worth delving into the study of this magical tradition. For the Old Believers they were of great importance, they will help you. The memory of generations will help you perform a powerful natural ritual. Your life will change for the better, because you know how to control its course.

Religion of Ancient Rus'

Everyone knows that Ancient Rus' was pagan. There are many beautiful legends, stories about gods and heroes. Before the baptism of Rus', sacrifices were made, the Magi helped people choose the right time for sowing and construction, and blessed them for exploits and battles. Women received help and relief during difficult childbirth; they had the support of the goddesses Lada and Mokosh. A lot of time has passed since then. A decision was made about the Baptism of Rus', the transition to the Orthodox faith.

Temples were destroyed, idols were burned, and traditions were forgotten. But that was only in public. For a very long time, paganism remained the main, most powerful religion of the Old Believers. They did not accept the new God and his faith. New idols were built in the forests, rituals were carried out secretly. In some places they were generally against worshiping the new God. The old rituals were carried out there, services were held in the name of Perun, Yarilo, Svarozhich. People did not want to forget their gods. There were a lot of such outbreaks in the East.

The Old Believers have preserved their traditions from much earlier times. The Baptism of Rus' was aimed at eradicating paganism, but it was also divided into two camps. There are several generations of Slavic pagan gods. The first, the most ancient, begins with the thunderer Perun. Later, many centuries later, Yarilo came to his place - a wise, fair, very warlike god. This is where the split occurred. The Old Believers wanted to continue their rituals in honor of Perun, and fans of the new gods shouted with one voice that the future belonged to Yaril - the Sun, Light, Power.

Old Believers and worshipers of new gods

Even before the advent of the Orthodox faith, entire regions appeared that did not recognize the power of the New Gods. They did not want to attach the ancestral faith of their grandfathers. Mysticism played a huge role in their lives. The faith of the Old Believers was closely connected with magic and rituals. Most of the conspiracies that date back to the Slavic period came to us from the times of the Old Pagan Gods. This was the beginning of the great Slavic magic, which fed from a source of natural power:

The earth is a mother, a protector. She provided food, clothing, the opportunity to sow and harvest crops.
Water - there would be no harvest without water. A person cannot live without water; plants and animals need it every day. The Slavs settled along the rivers not only for the sake of their crops, but also thinking about protection. It is not easy to cross a stormy river, so on the one hand their cities were well protected.
Air is no less necessary than water.
Fire - warmth, light, protection from wild animals. With the help of fire, you can not only cook food and heat your home, but also create weapons. Even then the Slavs knew how to subjugate metal.

These four elements are pure nature for all Old Believers. She nourished their magic, giving the power of all elements at once. Rituals were performed that formed the basis of today's elemental and natural magic.

In those days the balance between black and white magic was much stronger

Another important feature is Rod. The ancient Slavs even had a god named Rod, who sacredly guarded the connection between generations. All the power of the ancestors is behind the back of the one who honors the family history, knows the names of his great-grandfathers and follows their faith. The nature and power of the family helped the mystics of ancient Rus'. They received enormous power with the blessing of their ancestors. Their life was full of mysticism, rituals, conspiracies. Both white and black.

In those distant times, nature and fate were merciless to man. He had to use two types of magic at once in order to survive. The Old Believers had many enemies, but they also had friends. Their gods always stood nearby, reminding them of themselves with thunder, rain, the bright Sun or fertile soil.

Old Gods and New Gods

There are several generations of gods. They transformed, because man’s idea of the world and the forces of nature changed. The most ancient gods belong to the era of Animism. This means that a person saw the soul in everything:

forces of nature: rain, thunder, lightning, clear weather;
animals: ritual, totem animals for gods and goddesses, they served as victims or, on the contrary, were glorified;
nature: stones, trees;
change of seasons: the rise to power of one or another god was accompanied by a change in weather, temperature, and living conditions.

For the Old Believers there was nothing, no one without a soul. The whole world was created at the behest of the gods, which means that even the smallest stone on a dusty road contains a part of the divine touch.

The most ancient gods:

Perun - Thunderer, Father and Creator;
Mother is earth, sky, water and fire. Later Lada.

In addition to these gods there were also children and grandchildren:

Horse is a god who personifies the Sun. Later, when Yarilo came to power in heaven, he united the power of Perun and Khors in himself;
Dazhdbog - commanded the rains, rivers, seas. He was asked for good rains for a bountiful harvest;
Semargl - conveyed the will of the gods to people. He was the messenger and voice of the highest deities;
Stribog is the lord of the winds;
Rod is the protector of the clan, family, home;
Svarozhich is the god of fire and blacksmithing. According to legend, he gave people fire and taught them how to forge iron.

Dazhdbog, Simargl, Stribog

These are male deities, but what about women? They had their own goddesses:

Makosh is a female goddess. She taught women to spin, sew, cook and keep the house clean. Later she will be replaced by Friday. She also taught women to create amulets, to protect the house from evil spirits;
Women in labor - provide assistance during pregnancy and childbirth. These goddesses keep a record of every child born, creating their own destiny;
Beregini - they are only half goddesses. This is a bird woman. A very kind character who always stood up for a woman, protected her from suffering, troubles, and misfortunes.

Everyone, young and old, believed in these gods. This tradition continues even after 1000 years.

The power of ancient conspiracies

Conspiracies were a part of everyday life. What did the Slavs protect themselves from?

Chernobog with his army of demons, devils, and watermen. They were the main enemies of humanity. In order for there to be peace in the house, children not to get sick, old people to live peacefully, and the harvest to be good, it was worth protecting yourself from the influence of the evil god. He was also revered, but his army could do a lot of harm with its cunning. All the black deeds of man only multiplied this army of evil.
Chernobog caused illness, damage, and could kill or cripple even the most skilled warrior with his will. But the worst thing is that he put bad thoughts into people:

to bewitch;
kill;
steal;
take away.

Then he no longer acted on his own, but with the help of other people. Against such black deeds, amulets and talismans were created that protected the will and soul of a person. Other conspiracies helped cure people of illnesses. This kind of magic was practiced by the Magi, but it was also common among ordinary residents. They knew how to use magic:

ward off diseases;
help in childbirth;
relieve fever;
strengthen the immune system;
save children and adults from death.

All these rituals were accompanied by sacrifices. Today, few people make traditional sacrifices, but this tradition has survived. The gods will gladly accept homemade kvass, good beer, ritual fire, fresh flowers, and animal blood from you. To do this, it is not necessary to kill a chicken or pig, as was done before. Today, fans of this tradition buy fresh meat, beef or pork heart. Such a sacrifice pleases the old gods. If you want to follow the ancient rituals exactly, you will have to slaughter a ritual animal.

Simple conspiracies

They do not need rituals at all; you can recite them every day for your protection or for your own benefit. It is best to have a small image (idol) of the deity you choose to worship. You need to make it yourself from clay, wood or stone. Such an idol helps to quickly appeal to God. These spells must be learned by heart; the gods do not like it when words are read on paper or from a computer screen. During rituals or conspiracies, it is generally better to be outside, closer to an open window. Nature will help you and give you the strength to carry out the conspiracy of the Old Believers.

A few simple spells for every day will help you get started with this amazing, interesting, ancient tradition.

Health spell

This Old Believers spell is suitable for children and adults. It can be pronounced on yourself or another person. So, use it when something hurts you, or your loved ones are sick. You need to put your hand on the person’s forehead and say:

“I will stand blessed, go to the blue sea, on the blue sea is the white-flammable Alatyr stone, on the Alatyr stone the Goddess Jiva sits, holds a white swan in her white hands, plucks the swan’s white wing. As the white wing jumped back, jump back, jump away from (the name is spoken) birthmarks, fevers and fevers - Hoarse, Lomea, Decrepit, Dozing, Windy, Smutnitsa, Zyabuha, Shaking, Fire, Puffy, Yellowing, Dumb, Deaf, Karkusha, Looking, Snoring. From a wild little head, from clear eyes, from black eyebrows, from a white body, from a zealous heart. She came from the wind - go to the wind, she came from the water - go to the water, she came from the forest - go to the forest. From century to century. A mermaid walked along a forest path, scratched her tender leg, and from that wound came not blood, but from that wound came pure water. Yes, the water was pure, it flowed like a stream, and that water passed all over the earth. Yes, to that island and to that Buyan, to that Buyan and high mound. On that mound, the alatyr stone lies in its entire width. You cannot lift it, you cannot roll it up, as long as the human race lives on earth. Like water flowed under a stone, and behind it the disease forever. Now and forever and from circle to circle! So be it, so be it, so be it! Wanderer Lay down, my Bright Guardian, given to me by the Patron Family for protection, I earnestly ask you: Enlighten me today and save me from all evil, guide me to good deeds and direct me to the righteous path, may all my deeds be for the Glory of Svarog and Kind of Heavenly. Now and forever and from circle to circle! So be it, so be it, so be it! Oh, mother Lada, most pure mother of Sva! Don't leave us without love and happiness! Send your grace upon us, as we honor and glorify you, Now and ever, and from circle to circle! So be it, so be it, so be it! Until the end of time, while the sun shines on us!”

The pain quickly goes away, and the person falls asleep. This is the only side effect.

Conspiracy - request for protection

Ask for protection in difficult times - the Slavic gods will not leave your request unanswered. Your entire family will come to your defense and support. It does not need to be used every day, but only when you are in danger. It's short, so memorize it and teach it to your child.

Whatever happens, say:

“Father, you are Semargl the Fire God, you are God to all Gods, you are fire to all fires! Just as you burn and scorch grass-ants, thickets and slums in a field, underground roots of a damp oak tree, seventy-seven roots, seventy-seven branches, so you slept with (the name is spoken) sorrow and illness. Now and forever and from circle to circle! So be it, so be it, so be it!”

Help will come to you suddenly, but it will be exactly when you need it.

Conspiracy to have happiness in life

For happiness in life, this conspiracy is pronounced. It helps especially well if you have a “black streak”. No job, no money, bad family relationships. This conspiracy will change everything, turn it upside down. You will have every chance of happiness. This is what you dream about today, the same thing the Slavs dreamed about many centuries ago. Text:

“Zarya-Zarenitsa, red maiden, mother and queen herself. The month is bright, the stars are clear - take from me insomnia, sleeplessness, sleeplessness. Zarya-Zarenitsa in the middle of the night, come to me, even as a red maiden, even as a queen mother, and take away from me (the name is spoken) and take away from me the cursed power, all the ailments of adversity. Now and forever and from circle to circle! So be it, so be it, so be it!”

For success in any business

May all your endeavors be successful. Say quietly:

“Work, work, be it for me, God’s servant (name), to enjoy. Ever-Virgin Mary, give me strength for all the stubble. Forever and ever. Goy!

This short, simple spell is powerful. Your words will be heard. Do not do it very often, you may offend the gods with your desire for profit. It is best to choose the most important things; before you start, say this text 1-3 times. You will have the support you need.

Among the Old Believers, this ritual was carried out in the field, so it is better not to deviate from tradition.

An ancient ritual of the Forces of Nature

This ritual is suitable for powerful spells when you need to increase your personal power. On a windy day, go out into an open field, preferably all planted with rye, wheat, and corn.

You need to stand in the middle of the field and draw a circle around yourself with a new knife.
Light a fire in the north, place a container with rain or river water in the south.
East will correspond to the element of air.
In the west, collect fresh soil with your hands and pour it into a pile.
Get on your knees and say:

“Perune! To those who call upon You, be Glorious and Trislavic! Give health and abundance to all the children of Svarozh, show mercy to the families, rule over everyone, from the Motherland! So be it, so be it, so be it!”

Ask God for strength to carry out your ritual. You need to address Perun respectfully, but without fear. God loves the brave, encourages them, and will always help them. And he doesn’t listen to those who ingratiate themselves and complain.
In this circle, thank all the elemental elements for their presence.
Start carrying out your ritual and conspiracy. You now have the power of a great ancient god.

The beginning of thunder or rain during a spontaneous ritual is considered a very good sign. This means that Perun blessed you for the ritual and will help you in every possible way.

A spell to cure drunkenness

The big problem is drunkenness. To rid a person of it, you need to perform a ritual. Ask Perun and the forces of nature for help. When you have completed preparations for the ritual, place on the ground in a circle:

personal belongings of the patient;
a bottle of vodka;
three laurel leaves;
egg.

Calling on forces is a prerequisite for the ritual

Take a personal item and place three laurel leaves on it. They have the magical properties of protection, give wisdom and clear the mind.

“White spirits, help (name) remember her previous life the way I remember it. Help him overcome the passion that is destroying himself, his entire family, his wife and children. Help me find a new meaning in life and start life from scratch. Let the good remain, let the bad go forever.”

Place a chicken egg on the ground with the pointed end down.
Now you need to pour the entire bottle of vodka on the ground onto the egg.
While you are pouring, say: just as fiery water flows into the ground and pours from an egg, so (name) is freed from its dependence and burden. Let it be so. Goy.

The personal item should be left there on the field, and the bottle and egg should be buried in different places. At the end of the spontaneous ritual, they usually thank the deity and the forces for their presence and release them. Only after this can you leave the circle and leave the field.

A conspiracy to protect against all evils

After the ritual, you need to lie on the ground and say loudly:

“Perun, Rod, Svarog, protect my house and the entrance to it, my body and the business in which I am engaged, from all those who oppose me, from all those who wish me harm, whose names I will tell you, and from whom I suffer without guilt. Protect me. Goy"

The earth will give you the necessary power of protection. She is a mother, an ancestress, a nurse. The earth will take away any troubles from you, and give you happiness. Don’t throw away the clothes you were wearing during the conspiracy, but keep them at home as a protective talisman.

Home protection

Take a candle and bring it to the place where you will perform the ritual. After calling on Perun, the forces of the elements, light a candle. You need to talk to her:

“My beloved home! I drive out anger, envy, discontent and quarrels! May love, peace, joy and tranquility reign within these walls!”

Bring the candle home and light it.
Enclose all corners.
Light up the corners, jambs, and window frames with it.
This way your home will be reliably protected from any adversity and troubles.

Conspiracy from envious people

A conspiracy will help against envious people and evil tongues:

“From a bad hour, from a bad eye, from a girl’s, from a youth’s, from a night, midnight, from a day, midday, from an hour, half an hour, from a gray eye, from a yellow eye, from a black eye, which jokes and dries this person. He did not flatter you, he did not do evil to you, take all ailments out of the whole white body and from the violent head. And if you don’t stop joking and drying out this man, I’ll go and pray to my family, I’ll bow to the Sun, let God, I’ll turn to Perun, I’ll turn to Kryshen, they will send threatening clouds on you, they’ll beat you with thunder, they’ll burn you with lightning, they’ll pierce the earth through the ashes of Mother Cheese. . Oh, Mother Most Holy Theotokos, could you have saved God, help us to dissuade us from every unclean spirit, from a dashing eye, from a bad hour.”

If you know a person who spreads gossip about you and has conversations, then imagine him during the ritual. He will stop very soon, and if he starts again, the gods will punish him.

Dark magic of the Old Believers

In addition to protective and healing magic, there is another side. This is the dark magic of the Old Believers. This includes damage, curses, love spells and a variety of destructive spells. They came from Chernobog himself, who also sought to help people by teaching them to control the souls of others. Anyone who dares to pronounce these conspiracies will be able to repair their love, defeat the enemy, or take revenge for an insult. Traditionally it was considered a great sin, but they were used anyway.

If you lose something valuable or get seriously cut after the spell, then your debt to Chernobog is paid.

There is no such person whom Chernobog could not convert to his faith. He tempts his soul with power, but always takes his toll. The sacrifice for him is not determined, because this ruler of the underworld, the lord of darkness, chooses his own victim.

The stronger the impact, the more valuable the sacrifice for it will be. Be prepared with an open mind to sacrifice something dear to make an impact. These are the rules, they were the same in the times of the ancient Slavs, and they remain the same today. The power of this magic is in following traditions, because this is how it managed to survive even after 1000 years.

Love spell for a guy

Love spells and sugar spells belong to dark magic. They may sound quite harmless, but they are not. In fact, any love spell or sexual attraction is coercion. You destroy a person’s defenses, you subjugate his will.

To bewitch a guy, you need to go to where the birch trees grow. Tie three red ribbons onto the birch tree, tightly. The knots can be moistened with water to prevent them from coming undone. Tell:

“Oh birch, beauty!
Help me, help me!
Send me love and happiness!
How birds build nests in pairs,
That’s how I want to meet my sweetheart!”

Tighten the knots tighter. Go away, don't look back. Now the first news from your loved one will come in 3 days.

Bewitch any person

To bewitch a guy or a girl is a strong spell. You need to cut your hand a little. Cut so that there is blood. Go to the guy or girl's house. Shake this blood off the ground, looking to the South near the house of your beloved person. Tell:

“I ask you Kama, I ask you Lada,
Help my misfortune, weave a dear one into my destiny.
He will love me, he will be dear to me.
I ask you Kama, I ask you Lada,
Like the branches of birch and oak intertwined,
So a betrothed one will appear in my life.”

Now he won't get away from you. The feet of your loved one or your beloved will be brought to you.

Return of an ancient tradition

Today you can be anyone, which means if you want to profess the religion of the ancient Slavs, Old Believers, then all the cards are in your hands. There is a lot of literature on this topic, forums, communities. You choose the path yourself:

join the community of Old Believers, perform rituals together, exchange experiences;
follow your own path into the depths of ancient magic.

All doors are open to you. Today you won’t surprise anyone with your interests, so you can easily get busy doing what you love. There are many workshops where amulets and ritual attributes are made in strict accordance with tradition. Buy everything you need there or make it yourself.

Followers of the Old Believer tradition recommend spending more time in nature. Make fires, swim in rivers, meet the winds, breathe deeply. This will help you be closer to nature and restore the balance of power. It is your choice to follow white magic or black magic. In any case, these are powerful spells, proven rituals, the result you need. Your world will change if you start these practices.

The most detailed description: the Jesus prayer among the Old Believers - for our readers and subscribers.

When in a restaurant after eating we put a knife and fork on the plate so that the waiter can see it, then in sign language we say that we have eaten. According to the Orthodox rule, dishes should always be closed if you are not using them. In a restaurant, we see bread, salt and seasonings covered with lids or napkins on the table. And the Old Believers cover the dishes with any object, even straw, but the main cover is the Jesus Prayer or the word “Amen”, you can even, having signified, just say “Amen” - then Satan will run away to hell.

Learning the rite of closing dishes in Old Believers families is accompanied by a proverb (story), which is called a divine legend:

“A demon is walking, covered in pus and scabs, and I meet him as a saint and ask: “Where are you going, you unclean thing?” And the demon will answer: “There is one Christian who has salt and water open - I’ll wipe myself in the salt, and wash myself in the water.”

Then the summary: “Here are all the sores! And now it’s a sin to use this defiled vessel, and God forbid, drink this water and eat this salt!” Therefore, everything closes with the Jesus Prayer or with the word: “Amen!”

If the table is set in advance, then I cover it with a tablecloth with a prayer on top. Then, when everyone has gathered, standing at the table, they begin to pray after removing the tablecloth, then they sit down decorously and are blessed for the act of eating.

If you eat before others, sit and wait for the meal to end. This is followed by a congregational prayer in which they thank God. Before this, the dishes are covered with a spoon.

Of course, you need to observe the order of the cup - eat only from your own. How can one not remember the fairy tale about the three bears - “Who ate from my cup? ”

By the way, dishes for strangers are stored separately and are called secular.

They will not draw water for you with worldly utensils, but will scoop it up from the dropsy with an Old Believer ladle and pour it into your cup.

I learned this from Evdokia in her book. And I’ll tell you mine later.

About the rosary

Hieromonk Seraphim (Paramanov)

The name “rosary,” according to V. Dahl, comes from the words: count, honor (count), thus denoting a device for counting - a string of beads or a belt with knots - for counting prayers and bows. Leather rosaries are called lestovka. Externally, the rosary is nothing more than balls (cloth, glass, amber, wood, etc.) strung on a cord and topped with a cross. The ladder is a round belt, which instead of a cross has four paws, and between them are seven sliders and nine leather steps and 100 so-called “butterflies” (or another option – “bobochek”). The purpose of the ladder coincides with the rosary, also serving to count prayers and bows; it has been preserved in the everyday life of Old Believers and fellow believers, although it is not forbidden to use it in our Church. In some images (for example, on the famous icon of prayer on a stone) the ladder is visible in the hand of St. Seraphim. According to church tradition, the prototype of the ladder was a rope - a rope loop with knots tied on it, which served to count the number of Jesus prayers. Therefore, its other name is rosary, that is, a device for counting. The rosary was introduced into use by Saint Basil the Great (according to other sources - by Pachomius the Great and even by Saint Anthony, but in any case - a very long time ago, in the first centuries of Christianity) for illiterate monks who followed the prayer rule not according to books, but according to a certain number of Jesus prayers . They had no other purpose - neither practical nor symbolic. Here in Rus', the rope turned into a ladder - a stairway to heaven. Its parts - steps - are called: “earth”, “sky”; all parts received important symbolic meaning; From a simple device for counting, the rope turned into the most important instrument of prayer.

The lestovka is a woven leather (or, in later times, rag or dermantine) ribbon sewn in the form of a loop. It symbolizes both the ladder (ladder) of spiritual ascent from earth to heaven and a closed circle, an image of eternal and unceasing prayer. A ladder is used to make it easier to count prayers and bows, allowing you to focus on the prayers. The device of the ladder meets the practical needs of worship (for example, when saying prayers 40 or 12 times), but at the same time it has a symbolic interpretation. There are 100 simple steps on the tape, called “bobs”. In addition, there are three more steps at the beginning, three at the end and three “great” steps in the middle, which collectively mean the nine ranks of angels. The beginning and end of the ladder are marked by intervals without steps, symbolizing heaven and earth. The “great” steps divide the staircase into four unequal sections: from the “ground” to the first great step – 12 steps, which means 12 apostles. From the first great step to the second inclusive – 40 steps. This means a 40-day fast of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are 33 steps to the third great step, meaning 33 years of the Lord’s earthly life. After the third great step and up to “heaven” there are 17 simple steps, meaning 17 Old Testament prophecies about Christ. At the junction of the ends of the tape, four edged triangular "paw"(laposka, sometimes palms), which are often decorated with beads and embroidery. They mean the four evangelists, and the border is the gospel teaching. Under the paws there are slides - seven rectangles strung on a ribbon, according to the number of seven church sacraments. These movements also mean seven full steps, which every pious Christian must pray during the day. This practical significance of the movements - counting the number of sanded flaps - is absent in products of modern work, since the movements are made only symbolically, and the legs are often so tightly sewn together that the movements are difficult to reach.

In addition to the usual 109-step ladder, there are 150-step ladders, the so-called. "Virgin's ladders" They are of later origin and are made in the image of a Catholic rosary. In the Old Believers they have minimal distribution.

The production and artistic decoration of ladders was and remains one of the traditional Old Believer crafts. Monastic work was especially famous. Two ancient crafts are associated with the history of the Old Believers in the Semenovsky region (Nizhny Novgorod region), each of which has its own history. The now forgotten lestovochny craft can be considered an exclusively Old Believer craft. It undoubtedly appeared with the emergence of the schism in 1667, and perhaps earlier.

The making of lestovkas, or monastic rosaries, in the Old Believer communities in the city of Semenovo was carried out by a small number of families, only 10-15, no more, the work remained purely artisanal. The main material for making the ladders was locally produced leather “Yuftya”, and the rollers were made of ordinary paper. Various embroideries served as decoration, ranging from multi-colored yarn, beads and ending with gold. Interestingly, the purpose of ladders is very diverse. They were used not only when reading prayers. For example, during a wedding, those getting married must have rosary beads in their hands, and the most beautiful and expensive ones were used. Many schismatics gave lestovkas along with various alms - money, bread, things, etc. The elders of the monasteries usually did not part with them for a minute; the lestovkas also served them as a tool for punishing “whites” instead of whips. (Whoever read the wonderful story “Pilgrim” by I. Shmelev can remember what awe a leather ladder in the hands of a stern grandmother caused in a boy...) There were also mourning rosaries. The entire artisanal lestovka industry in the city of Semenov was supported by the merchant-philanthropist Nikolai Aleksandrovich Bugrov. He bought them in large quantities and distributed them to all the followers of “his faith”, i.e. to the Beglopopovites. Some of the lestovkas were distributed locally to philanthropic merchants, some were sold in Nizhny Novgorod, in Gorodets and at the Nizhny Novgorod Fair. Now you can get acquainted with this forgotten craft at the Semenovsky State History and Art Museum.

In the spiritual practice of the Orthodox Church, as a modern author (hieromonk Longin) notes, there is no strict rule on how to pray on the rosary. The main prayer prayed on the rosary is the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” or shorter forms, the shortest of which is “Lord, have mercy on me.” In this short prayer, a person who has the experience of real deep prayer finds the fullness of prayerful requests, prayerful thanksgiving, and prayerful sighing. Rosaries in monasticism are called spiritual sword and are given to the monk at the time of tonsure for unceasing prayer, for invoking the name of God as often as possible. In this case, the rosary is a tool (means) for reminding one of unceasing prayer, a means against distraction of the mind. The rosary can also be used for a special prayer rule, which consists of a certain number of Jesus prayers (centurion, two hundred, etc.). In this case, the rule is read with a special blessing, because otherwise you can fall into a state of spiritual delusion and seriously harm your spiritual work. Moreover, for ordinary lay people (non-monastics), the use of rosaries in prayer practice is possible only with the blessing of a confessor, and then more for a reminder of unceasing prayer than for a special prayer rule, although the latter is not excluded. Prayer on the rosary also does not exclude the possible insertion of other prayers, for example, on each large bead you can read “Our Father”, or “Rejoice to the Virgin Mary”, or some other prayer close to the person praying, or prayers in your own words that pour out from the heart of a person and which Orthodox spiritual practice does not prohibit, as long as the heart calls out to God. But in any case, any prayer practice requires the blessing of a confessor.

Prayer with the rosary should be invisible to prying eyes, with the exception of monastics who have a special blessing for this.

“When a newly tonsured monk is given a rosary, the following words are said...: “Take, brother, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, to the constant Jesus Prayer: for you must always have the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in your mind, in your hearts and in your mouth, saying continually: Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God; have mercy on me, a sinner". Here a saying from the Holy Scripture is used, the words of the Apostle Paul (see Eph. 6:17), giving the rosary a certain symbolic meaning: in this case they are called the “sword of the Spirit.” And this is a very fair and wise comparison, although the Apostle Paul attributed these words not to the rosary, not to the Jesus Prayer, but to the power of Christian preaching, which is the “spiritual sword.” But when we engage in the Jesus Prayer, we also preach the word of God, we preach the truth as if for ourselves, and we force all our mental and physical strength to submit to this gospel sermon. There is no contradiction here: indeed, the rosary we need to perform the Jesus Prayer seems to depict this spiritual sword striking invisible enemies. Everyone, more or less attentively, sincerely, diligently engaged in this matter - the Jesus Prayer, knows that in it we not only repent, ask God for mercy, forgiveness of sins and eternal blissful fate, but also at the moment of spiritual warfare, the uprising of demons against us them with it like some kind of sword. This is a real weapon with which we defend ourselves during attacks by enemies and strike ourselves. Therefore, it is very appropriate and reasonable that the rosary given to the newly tonsured person is symbolically called the spiritual sword.

Based on this comparison that already exists in church rites, we can dare to find other words, sayings, and narratives of the Holy Scriptures with which this amazing patristic invention is associated - the rosary.

First of all, the rosary brings to mind the Gospel story about (see Matthew 21:12 et seq.) how our Lord Jesus Christ, entering the Jerusalem temple, saw people there selling cattle, which were intended for sacrifices, and money changers who exchanged money (also as if for an important reason, because only special Jewish coins could be donated to God, and coins that belonged to pagan states, including the Roman one, were not suitable for this purpose - this was specifically stipulated in the law). And so the Lord was indignant that in the courtyard of the temple, where people were only supposed to pray, reverently standing before God, they were distracted from prayer by this trade and general vanity, completely inappropriate for a house of prayer. He began to overturn the tables of the money changers and, having made a scourge, as it is said in Slavic - a scourge from ropes (John 2:15), he began to drive out of the temple both the merchants themselves and the cattle they were selling. You know that the Jewish temple consisted of courtyards, was in the open air, and only the “holy” and “holy of holies” (what is called the altar in our temples) were located in a separate building. So, the rosary is precisely associated with this scourge from the ropes, and this association, it seems to me, has a fairly serious justification, because by praying, we really drive away from our hearts, from our souls “traders” - all kinds of uncleanness - “cattle ", by which one can understand carnal passions; the body and spirit of man, according to the teaching of the Apostle Paul, is the temple of God (see 1 Cor. 3: 16-17).

The rosary also reminds us of the Savior’s parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9). A plant that grew on rocky soil, had no root and withered from the heat of the sun, or one that died on the road, or one that was choked by thorns, can be likened to an incorrect, unreasonable prayer, from which a person ultimately receives no benefit. Correct exercise in prayer (and the most useful and fruitful is the unceasing prayer (of Jesus) can be compared to bearing fruit a hundred times over. And indeed, the rosary has a hundred knots in it, which seems to hint that if we diligently practice this by doing, we will receive a hundred times more fruits compared to the diligence that we put in.

We need all these comparisons related to the appearance of the rosary in order to arouse in ourselves zeal for practicing the Jesus Prayer. You can also find some similarity between the rosary - their knots, which are connected to each other - with the bonds of Christ imposed on our Lord Jesus Christ when He was taken in the Garden of Gethsemane, bound and led to a lawless trial, to suffering and shameful death - crucifixion. Therefore, while practicing the Jesus Prayer, we must remember with contrition the sufferings of the Savior, at least trying to imitate His humility shown in those terrible passionate days. And since the rosary is crowned with an image of a cross, then, most likely, this comparison is not in vain and not artificial, it helps to understand the meaning and inner meaning that lies in this beautiful object invented by the holy fathers. The Apostle Paul says: other things, no one gives me labor: for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus on my body(Gal. 6:17). Of course, by the stripes of the Lord Jesus we mean the cross that the Apostle Paul, like every Christian, bore on himself. And on the rosary we also see the image of the cross, that is, the wounds of the Lord Jesus Christ, and, wearing them on our body (we carry them in our hand, which is also part of our body), we should not engage in any other work, except for the sole pleasure of the Lord, and especially the Jesus Prayer. This is the first and most important thing, and the rest, no one gives us work, because everything else is in vain, unnecessary or, at best, secondary. Thus, the very arrangement of the rosary in the form of connected knots, reminding us of the bonds of Christ, and the cross crowning the rosary, should remind us of Christ’s humility, with which we must perform this great work of the mind, doing the Jesus Prayer.

Finally, the cross ends with a tassel - the so-called “voskrili”; four such tassels ended the clothes of the ancient Jews, and these tassels reminded them that they must fulfill the commandments. And, of course, in this case, this brush should also remind us that prayer can only be successful and achieve its goal when, along with zeal in it, we also have zeal for fulfilling the commandments. But, in addition, this brush also reminds us of the resurrection of the robe of the Savior Himself. ...As the bleeding wife told herself: if I just touch the sparkle of His garment, I will immediately be healed (See Matt. 21-22). And by her faith, she received what she asked for, that is, barely touching the edge of the Lord’s robe, namely, the tip of the excrement, she was healed from bleeding. So we must believe that only, so to speak, with a light touch of the grace of Christ, as if on this resurrection, on the hem of His robe, can we receive healing from the flow of passions that have tormented us, perhaps, for many, many years , if, of course, we touch this resurrection with faith, like a bleeding woman.

It may seem that all these are just external, artificially attracted images, which in reality have no relation to such a simple device - the rosary, but even if historically this appeared as a result of a confluence of some external circumstances, there can be nothing accidental in the Church. And therefore, the reasoning that touching the brush that is on the rosary symbolizes, as it were, an invisible touch of the mind to the hem of Christ’s robe, to the grace of God, is also not forced and artificial. We see that the rosary is arranged in the form of a closed circle, which, of course, without any artificiality, is easily associated in the mind with infinity, in this case with eternity. The Apostle Paul says: What is visible is temporary, but what is invisible is eternal(2 Cor. 4:18). And the rosary, this ingenious device invented by the holy fathers to help us engage in smart work, also reflects this invisible eternal. Being an outwardly simple object, they display many invisible, sublime things, as if revealing their presence for us during the Jesus Prayer. Let me list it again: firstly, the rosary is a spiritual sword that helps us in the battle with demons. Secondly, it is a scourge with which we drive passions out of our souls. Thirdly, this is a symbol, this is a consolation for us, showing that if we diligently and wisely practice the Jesus Prayer, we will receive a hundredfold reward. Fourthly, the rosary reminds us of the bonds and suffering of the Savior and, thus, teaches us humility. Fifthly, they teach us to remember the commandments and at the same time hope for the mercy of God, because just touching the glory of God and grace already heals us from the flow of passions. And, finally, they are an image and symbol of eternity, to which a person becomes familiar through the practice of prayer, especially through the practice of the unceasing Jesus Prayer.

The attitude towards the rosary should be reverent. They need to be in the same place where the Gospel and prayer book are kept.”

As one of the experienced practitioners of the Jesus Prayer, monk Boris, wrote at the beginning of the 20th century: “Do you want to learn how to quickly and forcefully drive away thoughts brought by demons? Drive them away when you are alone in your cell, with a loud, attentive prayer. Brother! Say her words on the rosary slowly, with tenderness: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

The rosary indicates one hundred and ten knots (meaning a hundred with ten dividing knots). Separate ten large knots out of a hundred to create a prayer to the Mother of God. Pray to Her like this: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us all and me, a sinner.” And She will always be your Helper in everything.

My brother! Demons tremble from attentive verbal prayer, and their networks collapse! And the holy angels pray together with those who perform oral, attentive prayer, as some holy saints of God were worthy to witness this: St. Seraphim of Sarov, Simeon Divnogorets and others.

Throughout their lives, the holy fathers practiced oral and vocal prayer and received the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The reason for their success is that the mind, heart, whole soul and whole body were connected to the voice and lips; they said the prayer with all their souls, with all their strength, with all their being, with all their being. They were so inflamed with love for God.

Brother! With God's help and the prayers of our Most Holy Theotokos, let us be attentive to the oral and public prayers we say during church services and in the solitude of our cells. My brother in Christ, we will not make our labors and life in the monastery fruitless by our inattention and negligence in the work of God.”

One of the elders of the 19th century speaks much more about the inner side of prayer: “The main thing is to become mind in heart before the Lord,” writes Bishop Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894), “and stand before Him without leaving day and night until the end of your life.” According to this definition, one can pray without asking for anything and without even uttering any words. The emphasis shifts from an action limited to a period of time to a lasting state. To pray means to stand before God in personal and direct communication; to know with all our being, both intuitively and rationally, both in the subconscious and in the superconscious, that we are in God and God is in us. Personal relationships between people do not become deeper because we constantly question and utter words. On the contrary, the better we know each other and the more we love, the less need we have to say how we feel about each other. Personal communication with God is built in exactly the same way.

“Prayer with invocation of the name, on the one hand, is extremely simple and accessible to every Christian, on the other, it leads into the mysterious depths of contemplation. Anyone who intends to read it every day and for a long time, and even more so to combine it with breathing or another bodily rhythm, must certainly find an experienced spiritual mentor, an elder, although this is very difficult to do these days. Those who do not have a personal connection with the elder can safely, without involving bodily rhythms, start small: ten to fifteen minutes of continuous prayer.

There is no need to learn the Jesus Prayer or prepare for it in advance. Advice for a beginner: just start. “If you don’t take the first step, you won’t walk, and if you don’t dive into the water, you won’t swim. It’s the same with calling the name. Begin with love and reverence and be persistent. Do not think about calling on the name, but only about standing before Jesus. Say the name slowly, quietly and calmly.”

Learning the words of prayer is not difficult. Most often it is pronounced like this: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.” But there is no uniformity here: sometimes “have mercy on me” is replaced with “have mercy on us” or the prayer is shortened to: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” or even to “Lord Jesus”; finally – extremely rarely – to “Jesus”. Some, on the contrary, add “me, a sinner,” strengthening the repentant aspect of the prayer. Or, remembering the confession of the Apostle Peter on the road to Caesarea Philippi, they say “...Son of the Living God...”. Sometimes an appeal to the Mother of God or saints is inserted into the Jesus Prayer. But the Name “Jesus,” which is the essence of prayer, is always present in it. We can try different combinations of words and choose the one that suits us best. Once chosen, the formula can be changed over time, but not too often. “Just as plants do not take root if you replant them often, so do prayerful movements in the heart if you frequently change the words of prayer,” warns St. Gregory Sinait.

For prayer “according to the rule”, as for “free”, there are no strict rules. Body position doesn't really matter. In the Orthodox tradition, prayer is most often read while sitting, but you can also stand, kneel, and if you are overcome by infirmities or fatigue, then lie down. And, as a rule, in the dark or with eyes closed, and not in front of an icon illuminated by a lamp or candle. Elder Silouan of Athos (1866-1938), when he prayed, hid his watch in the closet so as not to be distracted by the ticking, and pulled a thick woolen monastic cap over his eyes and ears.

The darkness, however, has a soporific effect! If you feel sleepy during prayer, you need to get up from your knees or seat, make the sign of the cross after your petition and bow, touching the floor with your right hand. You can also bow to the ground - kneeling and touching your forehead to the floor. A seat for prayer should not be relaxing, much less luxurious; it is good if it has no handles. In Orthodox monasteries they usually use a low bench without a back. You can pray standing and raising your hands.

The Jesus Prayer is often recited through a rosary, usually with a hundred knots. They do this not so much in order to count, but in order to concentrate and maintain the rhythm. It is well known from experience that if the hands are busy, it is easier to calm the body and concentrate on prayer. Passion for quantitative assessments - using rosaries or otherwise - is by no means encouraged. In “Frank Tales of a Wanderer,” the elder strictly instructed how many times a day one must repeat the Jesus Prayer: first 3 thousand, then 6 thousand and finally 12 thousand, no more and no less. This is a completely unusual attention to quantity. Apparently, the point here is not just a matter of numbers, but of the inner disposition of the wanderer: the elder wanted to test his obedience and see if he was ready to fulfill everything he ordered him without hesitation. Bishop Feofan’s advice is more suitable for us: “You say that sometimes you forget the count of prayers on the rosary. The trouble is small. When one falls to the Lord, as if present, with fear and hope, this is better than any number of prayers.”

When calling on the name, there is no need to deliberately imagine the Savior. The Jesus Prayer is usually read without looking at icons, but in the dark or with eyes closed. “The memory of good and bad things usually imprints their images on the mind and leads it into daydreaming,” writes St. Gregory Sinait. – Then the one who experiences this is already a dreamer ( fantasies), and not silent ( hesychastes)". “And so as not to fall into delusion when doing mental prayer,” writes the Monk Nilus of Sorsky († 1508), “do not allow any ideas, any images or visions in yourself.” “In the action of the Jesus Prayer there should be no image intervening between the mind and the Lord,” writes Bishop Theophan. – The essence of mental prayer is walking before God; and walking before God is the conviction that does not depart from consciousness that God is everywhere, so He is in you, and sees everything, even the inner, sees even more than we ourselves. This consciousness of the eye of God looking inside you should also not have an image, but everything should consist in one simple belief or feeling.” Only by calling on the name in this way—not by representing the Savior, but simply by feeling His presence—will we experience the full power of the Jesus Prayer, which brings together and bestows wholeness.”

It may be noted that rhythmic speech, which is an integral attribute of the Jesus Prayer, according to secular researchers, has a healing effect. According to Italian scientists, it has a beneficial effect on the heart.

Experts examined the relative breathing rate of 23 people while praying with rosaries. The peculiarity of both of them was that their text, according to tradition, should be repeated fifty times. Or maybe three times that much. For comparison, breathing rhythms were measured during an ordinary conversation and during exercises to regulate breathing.

The normal human respiratory rate is about 14 units per minute, and this can be reduced to 8 in trained people. While reading Christian prayers, the breathing rate can decrease to 6 breaths per minute. Their effect on the body is similar: they help synchronize heart rhythms. And this, as cardiologists note, has a positive effect on human cardiovascular activity.

“The Jesus Prayer is amazingly flexible. This is a prayer for beginners, but it also leads to the deepest secrets of the contemplative life. It can be practiced by anyone at any time: while standing in line, walking, riding a bus or train, working, during insomnia or in moments of great anxiety when it is impossible to concentrate on other types of prayer. However, of course, it is one thing for any Christian to say the Jesus Prayer in this way at some special moments, and another thing to say it more or less constantly, using the physical exercises associated with it. Orthodox spiritual authors insist that those who practice the Jesus Prayer systematically should, whenever possible, surrender to the guidance of an experienced mentor and not do anything on their own initiative.

For some, there comes a time when the Jesus Prayer “enters the heart,” so that it is no longer pronounced as a result of conscious effort, but by itself. It continues even when a person is walking or writing, is present in his dreams and wakes him up in the morning.

Orthodox believe that the power of God is present in the name of Jesus, so that invoking the name of God acts as an effective sign of divine action endowed with sacramental grace. “Prayer penetrates the inner being of a person who, in amazement, sees himself in the Divine light... The light of the name of Jesus, through the heart, illuminates the entire universe.” Both for those who read the Jesus Prayer constantly and for those who resort to it only occasionally, it is a source of boldness and joy. Let us quote the Wanderer (“Frank stories of a wanderer to his spiritual father”):

“Now I walk like this and constantly say the Jesus Prayer, which is more precious and sweeter to me than anything else in the world. Sometimes I walk seventy miles or more a day and don’t feel like I’m walking; but I only feel like I’m saying a prayer. When the strong cold grips me, I will begin to say my prayer more intensely and soon I will be completely warm. If hunger begins to overcome me, I will begin to call on the name of Jesus Christ more often and will forget that I was hungry. When I become sick, my back and legs begin to ache, I begin to listen to prayer and I don’t hear pain. Whoever insults me, I will only remember how delightful the Jesus Prayer is; Immediately the insult and anger will pass, and I will forget everything... Thank God! Now I clearly understand what the saying I heard from the Apostle means: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).”

Stories from the lives of holy ascetics related to rosaries

On the death of Hierodeacon Serapion

The fact that the rosary is not just a mechanical device is also evidenced by a very interesting incident from the biography of one Glinsk ascetic, Hierodeacon Serapion. This ascetic, pious, zealous, who throughout his life avoided even ordination to the rank of hieromonk, despite the fact that he was worthy of it, asked that when he died, he would not be buried for three days. And so, when he died, the brothers saw an extraordinary miracle: after his death, when his body lay on his deathbed, he continuously fingered his rosary for three hours, and this showed his inner most sublime state - everything that was in his heart.

True novice - imitator of Abba Dorotheus

In one of the Kerasian cells, namely in the cell of the Honest Forerunner and Baptist John, there lived a certain reverent, simple and humble monk, a true novice, named Panteleimon (in the world Theophilus Theophilopoulos), originally from the town of Longaniko near Sparta. Having carefully read the life of Abba Dositheus, who lived in the 5th century in the monastery of Abba Serida in the East, given by Abba Dorotheos in his book, he wanted to imitate him.

This book and the way of life of Abba Dositheos made such an impression on Father Panteleimon that he wholeheartedly decided to imitate him. And in fact, he repeated his life in everything. He did not want to eat the eggs he needed due to illness, because he asked for them himself; in order to cut off his own will, he did not eat them. So Father Panteleimon did not want his will to be done in any matter; everything had to be exactly as the elder commanded.

His selflessness was perfect. He didn’t even drink water without the elder’s permission and blessing. He regularly confessed and revealed his secret thoughts to his confessor; he could not sleep without confessing his thoughts and the results of the spiritual warfare of that day.

In accordance with the tradition, which became a requirement of conscience for him, Father Panteleimon unforgivingly performed the daily prayer rule - bowing and praying the rosary - and constantly uttered prayers with his mind and lips: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me,” “Most Holy Theotokos, save me,” “Baptist of Christ, pray to God for me and help me a sinner,” “Holy fathers, pray to God for the whole world and for me, a sinner.”

With the permission of the elder and confessor, in addition to his daily harsh and difficult obediences and his own prayers and spiritual work, he said a special prayer for his parents and relatives in the flesh and in spirit and for the whole world.

He was so precise and attentive in his life in general and in his daily prayer works, church services and Divine Liturgy that when in 1931 his elder sent him to Ierissos to see a doctor to treat his right hand, damaged since childhood, and within For 15 days after the operation, he could not perform bows and touch his rosary; the elder commanded him to perform so many prayers and bows in advance to cover the days lost during recovery; O. Panteleimon performed 500-1000 bows and 50-60 centurions per day.

To give an example of cutting off one’s will, we will talk about one of the many cases that we ourselves witnessed.

It was summer; The figs are already ripe. In our cell opposite the house there were many fig trees; they also grew in the garden, about a hundred meters down the slope. On those trees that grew in front of the cell, the figs had already begun to swell, but were not yet ripe. The next day my brother and I went to the lower garden to dig it up. We set to work and, sitting down to rest a little under the shade of a fig tree, were pleased to see that there were a lot of ripe figs on it. I got up to pick some fruit.

Father and brother Panteleimon said:

Hey! What are you doing, brother?

Not suspecting that I was doing something wrong, I naively answered:

Brother, I see that the figs here are already ripe, and since we didn’t take anything with us for breakfast, I’ll pick some figs so that we have something to eat.

And he meekly answered me:

Brother, did you take the elder’s blessing?

Justifying myself, I said:

I didn’t know, brother, that the figs were already ripe here, so I could ask permission and blessings in advance; I don’t think the elder would have refused. Let me now pick some fruit and we will eat, and then we will tell the old man about it.

Then he tells me:

Great idea, brother: first engage in secret eating, and then ask for forgiveness! This is called willful sin and deserves punishment. So you should first ask permission for what you are going to do, so that it is with the blessing of God, for your mental and physical benefit.

He always built his life according to this criterion. And thus he never strayed from the course, because the elder, who knew in advance about everything that Fr. was going to do, was responsible for all his work. Panteleimon. Therefore, his conscience was always calm, clear and serene, for he had fulfilled his duty.

The power of praying the rosary

One monk from the monastery of St. Paul once went to St. Gerasimos (known for his gift of casting out demons - transl.) in Cephalonia. During the Divine Liturgy, he stood in the altar and prayed the rosary - he said in his mind the prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us,” and at that time they sang in the temple. One demoniac was brought to the church so that Saint Gerasim would heal him.

When the monk was praying at the altar, the demon in the temple burned, and he shouted:

Hey, you, monk, don’t pull this rope - it’s burning me!

The serving priest heard this and said to the monk:

Brother, pray the rosary with all your might so that God’s creation will be freed from the demon.

Then the demon, becoming furious, shouted:

Hey, you old priest, what are you telling him to pull the rope?! She's burning me!

Then the monk began to read the prayer with even greater zeal, fingering his rosary, and the man who was tormented by the demon was finally freed from him.

Prayer with difficulty

Father Arseny Peshernik said: “When I pray the rosary while standing, I feel a strong Divine fragrance. And when I pray while sitting, I barely feel it.”

Despite his ninety-five years of age, the elder labored unceasingly and zealously, and also constantly enriched himself spiritually, although he had already accumulated great spiritual capital.

1. Complete Orthodox Theological Encyclopedic Dictionary in 2 volumes. T. 2. No date.

2. Published according to the publication: “Old Believers. Persons, objects, events and symbols. Experience of an encyclopedic dictionary." M., Church, 1996.

3. Nizhny Novgorod Internet directory “Cultural tourism”,

4. Hegumen Abraham, confessor of the Novo-Tikhvin convent in Yekaterinburg. The material is posted on the monastery website at:

5. Monk Boris. Instructions in the Jesus Prayer. Orthodox life. No. 9 (620) September, 2001.

6. Bishop Kallis of Diokleia (Ware). The Power of the Name. "CHURCH AND TIME", No. 1 (8), 1999. Posted at.