Grace of the Holy Spirit according to the teachings of the Holy Fathers. Sunday School

14.10.2021 Complications

Instruction

With Divine energy, in one or another of its manifestations, a Christian meets very often. When the priest blesses the water, grace changes its properties, making holy water out of ordinary water. Well-known in the Christian world, miraculous healings are also carried out through the work of grace. It can manifest itself in the life of a Christian in many ways, including very clearly. A vivid example of the action of grace is described in the famous conversation of St. Seraphim of Sarovsky and N.A. Motovilov.

What is acquired grace? First of all, a righteous life, but not only it. Keeping God's commandments is necessary, but not the only condition. Moreover, the very desire to acquire grace is already a mistake, because grace is not a goal, but a reward on the path of serving God. In striving for grace, a person falls into the net, arrogance, a priori considering himself worthy of this divine gift.

The main qualities in the presence of which a person gets a chance to feel grace Holy Spirit, are humility and meekness. But this is only the background against which grace can manifest itself, its necessary conditions. Before the Holy Spirit touches a person's heart, it must be cleansed of dirt, which is achieved by meekness, humility, and gentleness.

The heart is cleansed, at least to the minimum degree at which the Holy Spirit can touch it. But you need to call him, opening yourself. And this, in turn, is achieved by constant remembrance of God. One way to do this is through the Jesus Prayer. Remember that in the Jesus Prayer, not only the repeated phrase is important, but also the pause between its utterances. It is the pause, the moment of silence in which you stand before God without a single thought, that is the time when you draw near to the Holy Spirit.

Slowly increase the pause, this should happen naturally, organically. The criterion that the pause is too long is the appearance of extraneous thoughts. Silence should last only as long as you can stand before God. Standing means to turn to the Almighty with all your being without a single thought.

It is at such moments that a person can feel grace, as a very specific energy, a specific feeling. It comes suddenly, filling the body and mind with indescribable bliss and sweetness. It cannot be confused with anything, the feeling of grace is divine and indescribable. It is no coincidence that Saint Isaac the Syrian said that the one who drank this wine will never forget it.

Grace comes very unexpectedly and just as suddenly leaves. Its appearance can be regarded as a kind of advance - God makes it clear to a person that he sees his efforts, that he is on the right track. But the next manifestation of grace . The grossest mistake at this moment is the craving for grace, the desire to experience it again. Prayer will help here with a request to get rid of wrong thoughts, to keep on the right path. In everything, rely on God, since it is by his power that your ascent is carried out.

God's grace

Using different ones, people do not always understand what they are talking about. Sometimes they don't know because they don't show curiosity, sometimes their information about the given concept is wrong. God's grace is a kind of power that is imperceptible by physical means, which God sends to a person to cleanse him from filth. The very word grace speaks of a gift, that is, this power is sent by chance.

Since it is omnipresent, it is considered a being much more developed than man. To combat human vices and fears, the Lord grants grace. For the most part, God's grace is a manifestation of this or that, confirmation that he really gives all his faith and life to God.

God's grace is presented as something intangible, like a veil separating us from Hell and Paradise. Only one who believes every day and follows the teachings of Christ, struggles with sin, can understand that grace has descended on him. The realization that the grace of God is with you does not give you the opportunity to renounce God and do any deeds, but rather opens your whole soul and makes you an ardent follower of the faith, a true follower of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Why salvation is in grace

The salvation of any person is in harmony with himself, God and the world around him. Only humility before God, not before a priest or any other representative of God on earth, namely God, endows a person with grace in the soul. Salvation is harmony, and harmony is unity with God and the world that surrounds everyone.

The essence of salvation and illumination by grace is that a person cannot sin, not because he stops himself and fights vices every second. Over time, a person reaches such enlightenment that he does not have a thought, but, he finally casts out the evil one from himself. Today, the closest to such a state can be, but any person who builds a temple in his soul can feel God's grace.

It happens that a person, having received grace, becomes unnecessarily arrogant, allows himself something that he did not even dare to think about. At such moments, the Lord takes away his grace from a person. It seems to the layman that all the punishments that can exist have descended on him, he is being torn apart by vices, but if he can change his mind and fill his soul with true faith again, God will return his disposition to him.

God's grace surrounds us every moment of our lives and only we decide whether we become worthy to see and use it.

The grace of the Holy Spirit is not given if a person who must receive it, incapable of it. On the other hand, the natural abilities of any person are not enough to receive any gift of the Holy Spirit, unless he also possesses the supernatural power of God. Here is what St. Maximus the Confessor says in this connection in the sixth centurion of theological chapters (ch. 13): "The grace of the All-Holy Spirit does not create in people either wisdom, if there is no mind capable of receiving wisdom, nor knowledge, if there is no power of reason capable of receiving knowledge, nor faith, if the mind and reason do not ascertain future events, which until then were unknown to anyone. not known, neither the gift of healing, if there is no natural philanthropy, nor any other gift, if a person is not able and does not have the opportunity to accept it.On the other hand, a person, by virtue of his natural abilities, cannot acquire any of the listed gifts without Divine power who gives them in. This is revealed by all the saints who, after the revelation of divine words, seek an explanation of what was revealed to them.

Thus, neither Divine grace creates enlightenment through knowledge if there is no instrument with a natural ability to receive enlightenment, nor, conversely, this instrument does not create enlightenment in itself if Divine grace does not give it to it. He who strives to receive Divine grace from God, if his soul is not bound by passions, receives grace in order to cultivate the virtues.

Those who want to receive the more abundant grace of the Holy Spirit must prepare themselves for its perception by fulfilling the commandments and purifying themselves of the passions. The grace of the Holy Spirit is given to believers according to their purity and faith. Therefore, God-bearing Maximus says: "The divine apostle calls the different actions of the Holy Spirit different gifts performed by the same Spirit." Such a manifestation of the Spirit is given according to the measure of faith existing in each, in the communion of a certain gift; it is each of the believers, according to the faith and the spiritual mood that exists in it, that commensurately accepts the action of the Spirit, which gives him sufficient disposition and strength for the fulfillment of this or that commandment.

Just as one receives the word of wisdom, the other the word of understanding, the other faith, and the other some of the gifts cleansed by the great apostle, so one receives through the Spirit the gift of perfect, immediate and nothing material love for God, according to the measure of faith; the other, through the same Spirit, receives the perfect gift of love for one's neighbor; another - what other gift, according to the same Spirit, as I said, since everyone has his own gift acting in him. For every active and strong disposition towards the fulfillment of the commandment, the apostle calls the gift of the Spirit.(St. Maximus the Confessor).

The Holy Spirit has a simple essence, but His actions are varied. It is divided without suffering any damage, and with each particle is perceived in its entirety, just like a sunbeam, although its energy, apparently, is inherent only in the one who perceives it, at the same time it shines over water and land and mixes with air. In the same way, the Holy Spirit, although it would seem that he is present only in that which is able to accommodate his actions, at the same time continuously endows the whole world with his grace. Those who share in the Holy Spirit receive as much as they can contain their nature, and not as much as He can convey to them.

Saint Basil the Great in his dogmatic chapters on the Holy Spirit writes the following : "The assimilation of the Spirit with the soul is not a local rapprochement (for whether the incorporeal can approach in a bodily way) but the elimination of the passions that subsequently ascended into the soul from its attachment to the body and alienated it from affinity with God. Therefore, who has cleansed himself from shame, what created in himself by sin, returned to natural beauty, through purification, as it were, returned the ancient form to the royal image, which alone can approach the Comforter. You will see the inexpressible beauty of the Archetype. Through the Spirit, the ascent of hearts, the guidance of the weak, the perfection of the prosperous. The Spirit, shining upon those who are cleansed of all defilement, through communion with Himself, makes them spiritual. And like shining and transparent bodies, when a ray of light falls on them, they themselves become luminous and cast off a new ray from themselves, so spirit-bearing souls, being illumined by the Spirit, become spiritual themselves and pour out grace on others.(St. Basil the Great. About the Holy Spirit).

Divine grace is like a bee visiting human souls. The bee approaches the flower from above to collect nectar, flower juice and pollen, and having done this, build a honeycomb through which honey flows. However, while collecting pollen, it also carries particles on its paws, which, clinging to the pistils of other flowers, produce pollination. As soon as the pollen hits the stigma of the flower, conception occurs, the petals fall off and the fruit gradually ripens.

Divine grace visits human souls and, when it finds them prepared and cleansed, pours into them, drop by drop, the dew of the Holy Spirit. Then the soul begins to close its petals little by little, to limit its feelings, so that the mind does not scatter over various passions and soar among various thoughts. Thus, the spiritual maturation of the soul takes place and it brings forth the juicy and fragrant fruits of virtue.

The bee does not visit all flowers, but only those on which nectar can be collected. And flies, mosquitoes and other harmful insects are not interested in flowers, but fly only where there is dirt and sewage.

In order for Divine grace to settle within us, it needs to prepare a clean bed. But just as a housewife cannot lay clean sheets for her guest in a room full of dirt, dust and cobwebs, so Divine grace can stay in our soul for the night only if it is clean. Divine grace desires to see our soul pure and free from passionate thoughts and filthy pleasures. She also needs clean sheets to cover herself with. What are these sheets? Shining robes of virtues that adorn the soul.

If we do not have all this, Divine grace, although it visits us, does not linger for a long time. After all, the Holy Spirit is exalted, lofty and straight, he cannot abide in the midst of the stench of passions. So, grace does not linger, or lingers for a little while to comfort and strengthen us, after which it withdraws again, because by our walk we offend the Holy Spirit. That is why the apostle Paul says: "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God" and "Do not quench the spirit"[Eph. 4:30]

Divine grace does not remain even because we treat it with indifference, coldness and indifference. We do not allow her inside ourselves, but closes the doors of our soul so that she leaves offended. Divine grace does not force our will. She knocks with reason at the door of our soul to enter and work with us: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock"(Rev. 3:20). If anyone hears my voice and opens the door of his heart, I will enter him, make intimate friendship with him and eat food with him, rejoicing and rejoicing in his salvation. And he will eat with me, tasting the joys and happiness of a blissful life."

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock" (Rev 3:20)

The Holy Spirit also gives the following advice: “Since in your present spiritual state you are unhappy, miserable and naked, I advise you to buy pure gold from me, refined in fire, in order to be enriched by virtue and good deeds. Put on shining clothes, that is, acquire holiness and purity in your life so that your spiritual nakedness was not obvious. Anoint the eyes of your soul with an eye potion in order to gain Divine enlightenment, in which you will be able to see your spiritual state."

How many good deeds are brought to society not only by the venerable elder, but also by any ascetic Christian who has acquired the grace of the Holy Spirit! One spiritual person transforms the souls of believers, tames morals, makes bodies chaste, and calms the souls of those who suffer.

The Holy Spirit is the fragrance and beauty of the world.

A holy person is the pride and true manifestation of the Orthodox faith.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock" (Rev 3:20)

The Holy Spirit is the fragrance and beauty of the world.

A holy person is the pride and true manifestation of the Orthodox faith.

If we all partake of the Spirit, how we should commune, then we would see Heaven and our future state there. (45, 17) .

The grace of the Spirit, when it enters the soul and establishes itself in it, flows stronger than any source, does not stop, does not deplete and does not stop. (42, 335) .

Grace not only accompanies you in labors and dangers, but also assists in the easiest, according to outward impression, deeds and provides its help in everything. Saint John Chrysostom (43, 668).

Grace blossoming with the Spirit exists only in those who have mortified themselves to sin. Saint Gregory of Nyssa (17, 326).

Trust the tender love of grace, because it is the beginning of all acquisition. While you do not yet see her love, like babies who suckle milk, they do not know about mother's care. Be patient, leave yourself to her will, and then you will see her good deeds. Saint Ephraim the Syrian (26, 635).

Immaterial and Divine fire illuminates souls and tempts them like genuine gold in a furnace, while vices burn like thorns and straw. (33, 190) .

The fire of grace drives away demons, destroys sin, it is the power of resurrection, the effectiveness of immortality (33, 190) .

What is of grace, in that is peace, joy, love, truth (33, 65) .

The descending grace, purifying the inner man and the mind, completely removes the veil of Satan, imposed on people by disobedience, and frees the soul from all filthiness and every impure thought, so that the soul becomes pure and, having assumed its own (original) nature, freely and with clear eyes looks at glory true light (33, 412) .

When grace takes possession of the pastures of the heart, then it reigns over all members and thoughts. For the heart owns the mind and all the thoughts and aspirations of the soul (33, 120) .

In whom grace abides, in that it becomes, as it were, natural and inalienable: being one, it in various ways, as it pleases, perfects a person for his own benefit. (33, 424) .

From each one will be required the fruits of virtues according to the measure of the benefits rendered to him by God - natural or bestowed by God's grace. Saint Macarius of Egypt (33, 228).

The grace of God not only cuts off the branches of evil, but also uproots the roots of the corrupted will. Rev. John Cassian the Roman (53, 563).

Grace becomes a wall and a fortification for man and separates him from this age for the life of the Age to Come. (25, 111) .

Grace knows what is good for us, and our nature is known to her; she knows the measure of everyone and gives according to this measure (26, 639) .

Waves of grace warm the mind and soul. The manifestation of grace brings delight, silence and contrition (25, 364) .

Waves of grace and illumination of the Holy Spirit become pleasant in the heart, and the soul suddenly forgets earthly and carnal passions. (25, 364) .

With grace (man) succeeds in every virtue and, enlightened by it, will be able to know the infinity and bliss of the Future Age (25, 111) .

Not everyone, having matured, honors his mother - so few honor grace, although she nourished many. Not everyone remembers the illnesses of a woman giving birth and the labors of educators. Likewise, not many of us are grateful for the gifts of grace. Saint Ephraim the Syrian (26, 638).

By the power of faith, before any other virtue, the grace of God comes as the foundation of all virtue. And already with the help of the grace of God, every virtue is established in the heart and becomes effective. So that every virtue that does not come from the grace of God is imputed by God not into real virtue, because such a virtue is not God's. It happens that demons also teach people to appear chaste, merciful, meek and keep them in conceit and pride because of this.

So, it is necessary to know that the grace of the All-Holy Spirit comes to everyone who believes in Christ, not for good deeds, which he did before (if it came for good deeds, then there would be no grace, but repayment for deeds). But it comes from God for faith, it comes before any good deeds, and already on it, as on a solid foundation, good deeds are built, which only with the help of grace become perfect. So the deeds that happen without the grace of the All-Holy Spirit, God does not impute to anything, as if they did not exist at all. it is no longer good if it is not created on a good foundation, but it is impossible for good to be created on a good foundation without the grace of Christ. If it were possible, God would not have come to earth to become a man... And blessed is the man who knows that only with the help of the grace of Christ can every good thing be perfected... (60, 168–169) .

When the Divine fire shines and drives away the swarm of passions, and cleanses the house of your soul, then He mixes with it without mixing and unites inexpressibly, essentially - with its essence, All with everything is perfect. And little by little it illuminates it, makes it a fire, enlightens how? - and I can’t say. Then the two – the soul and the Creator – become one. And the Creator abides in the soul, One with it alone, all the One Who maintains the universe with His hand. Do not doubt, He is all contained in one soul with the Father and the Spirit, and embraces this soul within Himself. Venerable Simeon the New Theologian (59, 18).

A soul quickened by God's grace sees God by faith, touches it by faith, hears Him speaking to it, tastes and smells Him with love, and tries to do things pleasing to Him. So it behooves the penitent to begin a new life after repentance and, as it were, be born again, eat, grow, and come into a perfect man (104:58). The sons of this age have their treasure; Christians also have their treasure. For the sons of this age, this is perishable wealth, gold, silver, and for Christians, God's grace. This is a heavenly, spiritual treasure abiding in their hearts, as the apostle wrote: “We carry this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excess power is attributed to God, and not to us” (). People who have a perishable treasure make up for their needs and shortcomings through this: if they don’t have bread, they will buy bread for themselves; if they don’t have clothes, they get clothes. Thus, the grace of God, a heavenly treasure, living in Christian hearts, fills all their needs and spiritual shortcomings. (104, 60–61) .

All the spiritual treasures of man are by the grace of God (104, 27) .

By grace man from old becomes new (104, 28) .

Freely, by one grace, the faithful receive life (104, 63) .

The Grace of God descends like a quiet rain, irrigates the heart to fruition (104, 63) .

The work of grace is joy (104, 66) .

Humility Is the Fruit of the Work of Grace (104, 66) .

True repentance is from grace (104, 67) .

Grace Teaches Prayer (104, 67) .

Grace teaches the fear of God (104, 67) .

He who is enlightened by grace considers material goods rubbish (104, 67) .

The grace of God enlightens the human heart, kindles in it the fire of God's love. Feeling this love in his heart, a person responds with the words of love: “I will love You, Lord, my strength!” ()... He who truly loves God, neither on earth nor in heaven, desires anything but God... Such to be in hell with God - paradise; without God - and in the sky there is torment (104, 66) .

Such a person does not want to offend anyone either by deed or by word, but tries to love everyone unhypocritically and wishes every kind of good both for himself and for anyone. He wants salvation for everyone, as well as for himself, and prays for him. With every person it is not deceitful, not crafty, but simply manages; what he says in his word, he also has in his heart, and therefore does not want to lie and deceive anyone (104, 66) .

He guards against every sin and struggles against every sin. And just as it was easy for him to sin before, so already in this state it is hard for him to sin even in small things, to irritate God and disturb his conscience. He knows that God is angry with every sin, and the sinner is deprived of His mercy. Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk (104, 67).

“Where did he get this from? what kind of wisdom was given to him?” (). Thus spoke of the Lord those who knew His former, humble life. The same is true of all who truly follow the Lord. Whoever strictly adheres to the path of the Lord, after labors, when he overcomes everything that is wrong in himself, changes all, in all his composition: both the look, and the gait, and the speech, and the behavior all bear the seal of special harmony and dignity, even if he had become such before. of the lowest birth and not at all educated. And you have to hear: “Where did he get this from?”. But if the corporeal and the visible are thus transformed, what is to be said of the inner and the soul, which is more immediately and more directly subject to the action of transforming grace, and in relation to which the outer serves only as an expression and consequence? How bright are all thoughts, precise and definite! How true is the judgment about what is and what is transitory! His views on everything are above philosophical. What about intentions and actions? Everything is pure, holy reflects heavenly light. This is truly a new man! He did not receive an education, he did not listen to lectures at the academies and had no education, but he is the most well-bred and wise. Attention to oneself, work on oneself, and approaching God have changed everything by the grace of God, but how? - no one sees this. That's why the question: "Where did he get it from?". Saint Theophan the Recluse (107, 279,280).

A feat is necessary for a Christian. But it is not achievement that frees him from the dominion of passions: the right hand of the Most High frees him, the grace of the Holy Spirit frees him. (108, 525) .

Divine grace, which has overshadowed the soul, gives it a spiritual sensation, and passions, these sensations and inclinations, carnal and sinful, remain idle. (108, 526) .

Impurity is an inalienable property of a fallen nature, while purity is a gift of the grace of God (108, 531) .

When sorrows surround you, you need to increase your prayers in order to attract the special grace of God to yourself. Only with the help of special grace can we trample on all temporary disasters (108, 549) .

When grace-filled consolation operates with the mysterious knowledge of Christ and His will, the Christian does not condemn either the Jew, or the Gentile, or the obvious lawless one, but burns with quiet, undefiled love for everyone. (109, 140) .

The heart, overshadowed by Divine grace, is resurrected into spiritual life, acquires a spiritual sensation unknown to it in a state of fall, in which the rational sensations of the human heart are mortified by mixing with bestial sensations. (110, 62) .

Let us acquire the Grace of the Holy Spirit - this seal, this sign of election and salvation; it is necessary for free movement through the airspace and for gaining entrance to the heavenly gates and mansions (110, 182,183) .

A monk should have no doubts about receiving the gift of Divine grace... just as a son has no doubts about receiving an inheritance from his father... At the same time, Saint Isaac the Syrian considers a petition in prayer for sending down a clear action of grace worthy of censure... (108, 282) .

The action of grace resolves the blindness of the mind (112, 48) .

When grace works in a person, it does not show anything ordinary or sensual, but secretly teaches what it has never seen or imagined before. (112, 65) .

That attention that completely observes prayer from entertainment or from extraneous thoughts and dreams is a gift of God's grace. (112, 98) .

The union of the mind with the heart in prayer accomplishes God's grace in its own time, determined by God (112, 114) .

It is natural for Divine grace... to reunite the mind not only with the heart and soul, but also with the body, to give them one correct striving towards God. (112, 115) .

All the joys, all the pleasures of the world are insignificant before the consolation delivered by Divine grace... (111, 179) .

The grace of God, having overshadowed the penitent, destroys the kingdom of sin in him, establishes the Kingdom of God... Saint Ignatius (Bryanchaninov) (112, 440).

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

It happens that the soul, having devoted itself to every feat of virtue, with strong love for God, constantly retains in itself His imprinted image, and God, as it were, inhabits it. Then, having become inspired from a strong aspiration and inexpressible love for God, she becomes worthy of a prophetic gift. And God gives Divine power and opens the eyes of the soul to understand the visions that He pleases to communicate. Saint Basil the Great (5, 8).

“They also do not pour young wine into old wineskins” (). Those who decayed from old age and rejected the new grace, the Lord called “old wineskins”, as if breaking through and shedding the new teaching of the Kingdom. This is how Caiaphas showed himself, for, having heard from the Lord that He is the Son of God, he tore his clothes. But Peter, having accepted the law of the Spirit of life, not only, being taught, did not deny it, but also, being questioned, he confessed (Jesus as the Son of God), revealing the knowledge of the truth implanted in him. Rev. Isidore Pelusiot (115, 480).

“And tongues appeared to them, as if of fire, and rested one on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Everyone knows how the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles - how abundantly, how wonderfully, and with what success. Evangelist Luke writes that this miracle happened almost at the meeting of the whole world. It was amazing to hear then this noise, which suddenly came from heaven, delighting the ears of the disciples, while frightening everyone else. It is the breath of the wind, pleasantly touching the soul. Divided into fiery particles, the fire played on the heads of the apostles, and its power gave them the ability to glorify the greatness of God in different languages. This power penetrated the mind and enlightened it with Divine light. It also penetrated into the heart, and from this fire the fire of love, the fire of peace, the fire of spiritual joy was immediately kindled!

This miraculous descent of the Holy Spirit was evidence that we too will receive the Holy Spirit, His miraculous actions and gifts, if we have an apostolic soul. Do not think that these fiery tongues that rest on the heads of the apostles cannot be sent to anyone else. No, the grace of God is abundant and generous to all. What do these fiery tongues mean? Oratory, eloquence. But what is meant here is not human eloquence, consisting in the choice of words, in a beautiful style, in a strong and heated expression. No, such wisdom is often regarded by God as foolishness. He deigned to save us not by the wisdom of the word, but by the “foolishness of preaching” (). Yes, and His great preacher frankly admits: “And when I came to you, brethren, I came to proclaim to you the testimony of God, not in the superiority of word or wisdom” (). “And my word and my preaching is not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in the manifestation of the Spirit and power, so that your faith is not based on human wisdom, but on the power of God” ().

So, the fiery tongues that descended on the apostles meant the gift of the word, but not bodily, but spiritual, not earthly, but heavenly. God speaks to the soul that loves Him simply, sincerely and frankly. For even among people, between sincere friends, conversation is simpler and more frank, not adorned with sweet talk. And floridity, painted and intricately woven, is more used where there is no sincerity, or they are trying to win another over to their side, or they want to show their mind and thereby shame and humiliate the simple and unlearned. But God speaks simply to the soul that loves Him. Yes, and in the conversation He does not need: He speaks not to the ears, but to the heart. Platon, Metropolitan of Moscow (106, 338-341).

Since the power of Christ is omnipotent, then with its nature

according to the fact that she works miraculously through the saints, when it pleases the Lord, as she once miraculously worked through the headbands and scarves that were on the holy apostle Paul and received his sweat (), and even after one overshadowing by the shadow of the holy apostle Peter () . What a marvelous recompense for piety, that by it not only the human spirit is elevated to grace-filled communion with Christ, but also the very body, by which we perform these small feats of fasting, becomes partaker of the grace-filled power of Christ, life-giving and miraculous! And if it is still on earth, then what life, what power, what glory awaits the pious in Heaven.

Meanwhile, it can be noted that not all the pious, and not even all the saints, participate in this first, so to speak, resurrection (), which consists in the miraculous incorruption on earth of their sanctified bodies, as in the initial appearance of this first resurrection many rose the bodies of the departed saints, but not all. What does it mean? Is not God just to His saints, increasing the measure of grace to some, and decreasing to others, bringing immortality closer to some, and moving others away, glorifying some, and hiding others? Surely no one who knows God can think of this. So, what does the apparent inequality of the visible reward given to the saints mean? Perhaps, in some way, it corresponds to the degrees of their inner sanctification, according to which - let's say in the words of the apostle - as “a star differs from a star in glory. So it is with the resurrection of the dead "()..? But with greater solidity, from the inequality of this preliminary reward to the saints, one can conclude that it is bestowed not so much as a reward to themselves, but for another purpose, consistent with the wisdom and goodness of God. Indeed, for those who do not seek human glory, who are sure that they will forever reign in the glory of God with Christ, is it important to have or not to have temporary firstfruits of glory on earth? But with the Resurrection of Christ, many bodies of the departed saints rose up to enter the holy city and appear to many living - to assure them of the revealed power of the resurrection. So now the bodies of the departed saints appear in incorruption, with miraculous and life-giving power, to assure us who live in the resurrection of Christ and in our future resurrection, to strengthen the weak in the exploits of sin and death, to excite the inattentive and negligent to the exploits of piety. (114, 213–214) .

We must look at the descent of the Holy Spirit not only as a miracle that glorified the Apostolic Church, but also as an event essentially connected with the work of our salvation. The feast of Pentecost is not a mere remembrance of the past, but a continuation of the apostolic preparation for the reception of this Spirit, who breathes ceaselessly wherever it wants. The apostles, as the book of Acts narrates, after unanimous and constant prayers, were filled with the Holy Spirit; and not only the apostles, but, according to the explanation of Chrysostom, and the disciples who were with Him, about a hundred and twenty people (). What is being filled with the Holy Spirit? What the Holy Spirit is in His original gifts, He explains it Himself, with His fiery tongues. He is an immaterial fire that acts with two forces: light and warmth - the light of faith, the warmth of love. This heavenly light, in the words of Solomon, comes and enlightens “until the full day” (), “disperses the darkness of ignorance and doubt; reveals the deception of ghosts,” which the mind, mired in sensuality, often takes for truth. This light enables a person to see himself in the nakedness of corrupt nature, to know the world in relation to the soul and to feel the presence of God as a source of light; reports "the realization of what is expected and the certainty of the invisible" (). To the extent that the light from the Sun of Truth intensifies in the mind, the heart is warmed and kindled. Divine love drives out self-love from him, burns the thorns of carnal desires, cleanses, frees him and attracts new light into the soul. The fusion of these initial spiritual gifts forms a fiery language that pronounces the law of God the Word in the heart of a person (), depicting Christ in it (), making a rebirth into spiritual life. A person filled with the Holy Spirit, to an eye not darkened by prejudices, shows such an image of perfection, before which, like a shadow, everything that the world calls beautiful and high disappears. The apostle appreciated him when he said about some ascetics of the faith that the whole world is not worthy of them (). Grace turns into a priceless treasure everything that it touches in a person devoted to it. The spirit of wisdom shines in his mind - not the one that distinguishes the sons of this age, according to the Savior, “in their own way” (), that is, which teaches them to be resourceful in ways and dexterous in cases to gain favorable times, teaches them to multiply dignity not as much in oneself as in the opinion of others, but wisdom, spiritually judging everything (), in order to turn everything into means for the one eternal good of the soul. His will is driven by the spirit of freedom: for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus freed him from the law of sin and death, which gives its slaves as many heavy masters as there are needs and whims, passions and habits. In the depths of his heart is the peace of God “beyond all understanding” (), which gives to His disciples, “not like the world gives” (). The peace bestowed by Christ is established on an unshakable confidence in reconciliation with God, so that a Christian does not despair of temptations, sorrows and dangers, even to death is given up peacefully, in the confidence that "our short-term light suffering produces eternal glory in an immeasurable excess" ( ). A spirit of greatness dwells in him - not blind courage, not pride covered with pomp, not the brilliance of natural virtues, impure in their source, but the true loftiness of thoughts occupied by God, the vastness of contemplations, limited only by eternity, the nobility of feelings, born and nurtured by the word of God. The spirit of humility dwells in him, which, amidst the riches of the grace of God, sees in itself only poverty and unworthiness, in order to magnify the Lord the more, while those who are not reborn by the Spirit of God in their very shortcomings try to find something great, to ask for respect for themselves by the very humiliation, they crawl to suppress others. A spirit of strength operates in him, with which the Christian is not a powerless prisoner of his own feelings, exposed on all sides to the attacks of the enemy, defeated before the battle and to pacify one passion, submitting to another, but a good warrior, clothed in the whole armor of God ( Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow (114, 118-120).

After the death of his elder, Abba John fasted for forty days. And he had a heavenly vision, in which he heard a voice: "On any sick person you lay your hands on, he will be healed." And in the morning, by the providence of God, a man came to him, brought his suffering wife and began to ask that Abba John heal her. Abba called himself a sinner, unworthy of such a deed. But the husband relentlessly pleaded for mercy. Then Abba John, laying his hand on the woman, overshadowed her (with the sign of the cross), and she was immediately healed. Since that time, God has shown many other signs through him, not only during his life, but also after his death. Blessed John Moskh (75, 73).

One Thebeian monk received from God the grace of service, according to which he delivered the necessary to all those in need. It happened one day that he made a love feast for the poor. And then a woman in the most dilapidated clothes comes to him for alms. The monk, seeing her in such rags, put his hand into the pouch to give her much. But the hand clenched, and he took out little. Another one came to him, well dressed; looking at her clothes, the monk lowered his hand with the intention of giving a little. But the hand opened up and captured a lot. He inquired about the women and found out that the one who was in good clothes belonged to the number of honorable persons and fell into poverty, and was well dressed thanks to her relatives. The other put on sackcloth in order to lure out a large alms. Fatherman (82, 508).

Once the hermit dweller Mark asked the Monk Seraphim: “Who in our monastery is above all before the Face of God?” The elder, without hesitation, said: "The cook, from the former soldiers." And he explained that the character of the cook is fiery by nature, he is ready to kill a person in his passion, but his unceasing internal struggle attracts the great favor of God. For this struggle he is given the grace-filled power of the Holy Spirit. God's promise is immutable: to him who overcomes (myself), I will give a place to sit with me and clothe him in white clothes. And vice versa, if a person does not fight with himself, then he comes to a terrible bitterness, which leads the soul to certain death and despair. Trinity flowers (91, 81).

This article contains: the grace of the holy spirit prayer - information taken from all corners of the world, the electronic network and spiritual people.

Prayers that every Orthodox Christian should know: Our Father, Heavenly King, Prayer of thanksgiving, Invocation of the help of the Holy Spirit for every good deed, Most Holy Theotokos, May God arise, the Life-giving Cross, the Holy Great Martyr and healer Panteleimon, the Most Holy Theotokos, To appease the warring, O sick, Living in help, Reverend Moses Murin, Creed, other daily prayers.

If you have anxiety in your soul and it seems to you that everything in life is not working out as you wish, or you lack the strength and confidence to continue the work you have begun, read these prayers. They will fill you with the energy of faith and well-being, surround you with the power of heaven and protect you from all adversity. They will give you strength and confidence.

Prayers that every Orthodox Christian should know.

“Our Father who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come; may Thy will be done both on earth and in heaven; give us our daily bread this day; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one; for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen".

Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of Truth, Who is everywhere and fulfilling everything, Treasury of good things and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Blessed, our souls.

thanksgiving prayer(Thanksgiving for every good deed of God)

From time immemorial, believers have read this prayer not only when their deeds, through prayers to the Lord, ended successfully, but also glorifying the Almighty, and thanking Him for the very gift of life and constant care for the needs of each of us.

Give thanks to Thy unworthy servants, O Lord, about Thy great blessings on us who have been, glorifying Thee, we praise, bless, thank, sing and magnify Thy goodness, and slavishly love cry to Thee: Our benefactor Savior, glory to Thee.

Your good deeds and gifts to the tuna, like a slave to indecent, having become worthy, Master, diligently flowing to You, we bring thanksgiving according to strength, and glorifying You as a Benefactor and Creator, we cry out: glory to You, God the All-Merciful.

Glory now: Bogorodichen

Theotokos, Christian Helper, Thy intercession has been acquired by Thy servants, we cry out thankfully to Thee: Rejoice, Most Pure Theotokos Virgin, and always deliver us from all troubles with Thy prayers, One who soon intercedes.

Invoking the help of the Holy Spirit for every good deed

Creator and Creator of all kinds, God, the works of our hands, to Your glory begin, hastily correct Your blessing, and deliver us from all evil, as the only omnipotent and philanthropist.

Quick to intercede and strong to help, present yourself to the grace of Thy strength now, and having blessed, strengthen, and to accomplish the intention of the good deed of Thy servants: all the more, if you wish, you can do like a mighty God.

“O Most Holy Lady Theotokos, heavenly Queen, save and have mercy on us, Thy sinful servants; from vain slander and any misfortune, misfortune and sudden death, have mercy in the daytime hours, morning and evening, and at all times save us - standing, sitting, walking in every way, sleeping in the night hours, provide, intercede and cover, protect. The Lady Mother of God, from all enemies visible and invisible, from any evil situation, in any place and at any time, be to us, Mother of Grace, an invincible wall and strong intercession, always now and forever and forever and ever. Amen".

“Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let him flee from His presence. As the smoke disappears, let them disappear; as wax melts from the face of fire, so let the demons perish from the face of those who love God and are marked by the sign of the cross, and say in joy: Rejoice, Most Honorable and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, drive away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, crucified on Thee, descended into hell and corrected the power the devil, and who gave Himself to us, His Honorable Cross to drive away every adversary. O most honorable and life-giving Cross of the Lord! Help me with the Holy Lady Virgin Mother of God and with all the saints forever. Amen".

“Protect me, Lord, by the power of Your Honorable and Life-Giving Cross, save me from all evil. Weaken, leave, forgive, God, our sins, voluntary and involuntary, both in word and in deed, both in knowledge and not in ignorance, as in days and nights, as in mind and in thought, forgive us all, as Good and Humanitarian. Forgive those who hate and offend us, Lord, Lover of mankind. Do good to those who do good. Grant to our brethren and relatives even for the salvation of forgiveness and eternal life. In the infirmities of the existing, visit and grant healing. Manage the sea. Travel travel. Grant absolution to those who serve and pardon us of sins. Those who commanded us, the unworthy, to pray for them, have mercy on Your great mercy. Remember, O Lord, before our departed fathers and brothers, and give them rest, where the light of Thy countenance dwells. Remember, Lord, our captive brothers, deliver them from every situation. Remember, Lord, those who bear fruit and do good in Your holy churches, give them the way to the salvation of petition and eternal life. Remember, Lord, also us, humble and sinful, and unworthy servants of Thy, and enlighten our minds with the light of Thy mind, and make us follow the path of Thy commandments, with the prayers of Our Most Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary and all Thy saints, as blessed be Thou forever centuries. Amen".

Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon

“O Great Saint of Christ and glorious healer Great Martyr Panteleimon. Enjoy with your soul in heaven the Throne of God His tripartite glories, and rest with the body and face of the saints on earth in divine temples and exude various miracles with the grace given to you from above. Look with your merciful eye on the coming people and be more honest with your icon praying and asking you for healing help and intercession, extend your warm prayers to the Lord our God and ask our souls for forgiveness of sins. Behold, raise the voice of prayer below to His, in the Divinity of impregnable glory with a contrite heart and a humble spirit to you, an intercessor mercifully to the Lady and a prayer book for us sinners we call. As if you accepted grace from Him to drive away ailments and heal passions. We ask you, do not look down on us unworthy praying to you and demanding your help; be a comforter to us in sorrows, a suffering doctor in severe ailments, a giver of insight, a ready intercessor and healer with the living and babies in sorrows, intercession to everyone, everything useful for salvation, as if by your prayers to the Lord God, having received grace and mercy, we will glorify all the good sources and the Giver of God, the One in the Trinity, the Holy Glorious Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen".

“My Most Holy Lady Theotokos, with Thy holy and all-powerful supplications, expel from me, Thy humble and cursed servant, despondency, oblivion, foolishness, negligence and all filthy, crafty and blasphemous thoughts.”

To appease the warring

“Lord Lover of mankind, the King of the ages and the Giver of good things, who destroyed the enmity of the mediastinum and gave peace to the human race, grant peace to Your servants now, soon Your fear in them, affirm love for each other, quench all strife, take away all disagreements, temptations. As you are our peace, we send glory to you. Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen".

Lord, Almighty, Holy King, punish and do not kill, affirm those who fall and raise up those who are overthrown, correct bodily people's sorrows, we pray to You, our God, Your servant. the weak visit with Thy mercy, forgive him every sin, voluntary and involuntary. To him, Lord, send down Your healing power from heaven, touch the body, extinguish the fire, steal passion and all the infirmity that is hidden, be the doctor of Your servant, raise him up from the painful bed and from the bed of embitterment of the whole and all-perfect, grant him to Your Church, pleasing and doing the will Yours, Yours is, to have mercy and save us, our God, and we send glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen".

“Alive in the help of the Most High, in the shelter of the God of Heaven, he will settle down. He says to the Lord: If my intercessor is also my Refuge, my God, and I trust in Him. Yako will deliver you from the network of hunters and from rebellious words; Your splash will overshadow you, you hope under His wings; His truth will go around you as a weapon. Not a slaughter from the fear of the night, from an arrow flying in the days, from things in the darkness coming, from the mess and the midday demon. A thousand will fall from your country, and the darkness at your right hand will not come close to you, both look at Your eyes and see the reward of sinners. As You, O Lord, are my hope; Thou hast made thy refuge on the Highest. Evil will not come to you, and the wound will not come close to your body, like a command to your angels about you, keep you in all your ways. They will take you in their arms, but not when you stumble your foot on a stone, step on the asp and the basilisk, and cross the lion and the serpent. As if I trusted in Me, and I will deliver, and I will cover, and, as if knowing My name, I will call to Me and I will hear him; I am with him in affliction, I will crush him and glorify him, I will fulfill him with length of days, I will show him My salvation.”

Reverend Moses Murin

Oh, the great power of repentance! O immeasurable depth of God's mercy! You, Reverend Moses, were formerly a robber. You were horrified by your sins, grieved over them, and in repentance came to the monastery, and there, in great lamentation for your iniquities and in difficult deeds, you spent your days until your death and were rewarded with Christ's grace of forgiveness and the gift of miracles. Oh, reverend, from grave sins he has achieved wonderful virtues, help the slaves (name) praying to you, who are drawn to death from the fact that they indulge in immeasurable, harmful to the soul and body, the use of wine. Incline your merciful eyes on them, do not reject or despise them, but listen to them who come running to you. Moth, holy Moses, Lord of Christ, that He, the Merciful, not reject them, and may the devil not rejoice at their death, but may the Lord spare these powerless and unfortunate (name), who were possessed by the destructive passion of drunkenness, because we are all God's creations and redeemed by the Most Pure By the blood of his Son. Hear, Reverend Moses, their prayer, drive away the devil from them, grant them the power to overcome their passion, help them, stretch out your hand, lead them out of the slavery of passions and deliver them from drinking wine, so that they are renewed, in sobriety and a bright mind, love abstinence and piety and eternally glorified the All-good God, who always saves his creatures. Amen".

“I believe in the One God the Father, the Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible, in the One Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten, Who, from the Father was born before all ages; Light is from Light, God is truth and truth is from God, born, not created, consubstantial with the Father, He is the whole being. For us for the sake of man and for our sake of salvation, he descended from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human. Crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and suffering and buried. And resurrected on the third day according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sitting at the right hand of the Father. And the packs of the future will wake up the living and the dead, His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father. Even with the Father and the Son, we bow and glorify, who spoke the prophets. Into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. Tea of the Resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen".

Prayer of spouses without children

“Hear us, Merciful and Almighty God, may Your grace be sent down by our prayer. Be merciful, Lord, to our prayer, remember Your law on the multiplication of the human race and be a merciful Patron, so that by Your help the established by You will be preserved. By Your powerful power You created everything out of nothing and laid the foundation for everything that exists in the world - You also created man in Your image and sanctified the union of matrimony with a high mystery as a foreshadowing of the mystery of Christ's unity with the Church. Look, Merciful, on us, Thy servants, united by the union of conjugal union and pleading for Thy help, may Thy mercy be upon us, may we be fruitful and may we see the sons of our sons even to the third and fourth generation and to the desired old age they will live and enter into The kingdom of heaven is by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all glory, honor and worship is due with the Holy Spirit forever. Amen."

Waking up in the morning, mentally say the following words:

“In the hearts is the Lord God, in front is the Holy Spirit; help me start the day with you, live it and finish it.”

Going on a long journey or just for some business, it’s good to mentally say:

“My angel, come with me: you are in front, I am behind you.” And the Guardian Angel will help you in any endeavor.

To improve your life, it is good to read the following prayer daily:

“Lord, merciful, in the name of Jesus Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit, save, save and have mercy on me, the servant of God (name). Remove damage from me, the evil eye and bodily pain forever. Lord, merciful, cast the demon out of me, a servant of God. Merciful Lord, heal me, servant of God (name). Amen".

If you have anxiety for loved ones, say the following prayer until peace comes:

“Lord, save, save, have mercy on (names of relatives). Everything will be fine with them!”

Other popular prayers:

Christianity creeds

Ten Commandments of the Law of God

Selected troparia. Common troparia to the Saints

The death of a man and prayers for the dead

Birthday Prayer

daily prayers

Tropari B-V. Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos. Troparion to the holy saints

Prayers for the patronage of those entering into marriage

Prayers for advice and love between husband and wife

Prayers if you want to have a male child

Prayers of pregnant women for a safe resolution and the birth of healthy children

Prayers for the health of babies

Prayers of a father or mother for children

Prayers in the sickness of babies

Orthodox informers for websites and blogs All prayers.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

The Christian faith is rich in various prayers for any occasion. Any of them is necessary for believers in order to talk with God, turning to him for help or expressing gratitude.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit, which will be discussed later, is universal. It is customary to refer to the so-called morning prayers, which we have already talked about. Reading the lines of this prayer, we turn to the holy principle of God, which lives in any person.

Holy Spirit in the bible

In general, in Christianity, the Holy Spirit is a kind of independent entity, an incorporeal creature that permeates both the world of the dead and the world of the living. It is the Holy Spirit that performs the rite of baptism. This is a kind of incorporeal personality that has no character, no face and no emotions. She is called to give strength to any person and give her great blessing. The Holy Spirit does not act on its own because it is invisible like air, but it can take many forms. For example, in the form of fire or a dove. The dove is the most popular image of the Holy Spirit, which was fixed at the very beginning of the Christian era of mankind.

It was the Spirit, as the light descended on many saints, who gained strength and insight to carry on their shoulders a heavy burden for their time, called faith in the one God. This is the main reason for the many prayers aimed at asking the Spirit to give his great blessing to ordinary people so that their faith becomes unshakable and their actions righteous.

The text and interpretation of the prayer

“King of Heaven, Comforter, Soul of Truth, Who is everywhere and fills everything, Treasury of the good and Giver of life, come and dwell in us and cleanse us from all filth, and save, Blessed, our souls.”

Why do these lines help us to live another day in spiritual purity and tranquility? Everything is extremely simple, because the Holy Spirit is the embodiment of sinlessness, it is one of the components of God, called the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit himself. One of the 12 main Christian holidays is dedicated to the Trinity, which you can read about in a special article.

This prayer is about asking God to inhabit us and cleanse us of what prevents us from reuniting with him in the afterlife. This is a short, but one of the most powerful prayers in the Christian faith, which gives us seven benefactors: wisdom, reason, steadfastness, advice, piety, fear of God.

The Holy Spirit and this prayer comfort us in moments of sorrow and grief, giving us peace. Also, all the sacraments of the church are sanctified by the grace of the Holy Spirit: baptism, communion, wedding, and so on.

May your faith be strong. May this simple prayer always be with you to help in difficult situations and sanctify your path, blessing you for good deeds. Other blessing prayers have been published by us in another article. You can also familiarize yourself with them and read every day. We wish you good luck and happiness. Stay healthy and don't forget to press the buttons and