unceasing prayer | Martyria

Studia Theologica No. I (XIII) / 2022 The Biblical and Patristic Theology of Prayer and its Existential Necessity Lecturer, Dr Ioniță Apostolache

This article analyses prayer in Holy Scripture, tracing its roots in the Jewish tradition (the synagogue, Temple, Shema Yisrael, Amidah) and in the Psalms of David, drawing on patristic exegesis by Saints Basil the Great, Ephrem the Syrian and John Chrysostom, and culminating in its liturgical, confessional and Eucharistic dimensions within the life of the Church.

Colloquium No. I (XIII) / 2022 Interview with Protos. Clement Păunescu, Abbot of Slănic Monastery – Argeș Fr. Constantin Olariu

In a theological interview, an Orthodox abbot explores the fundamental role of prayer in the life of a Christian, beginning with the creation of man in the image of God and the Fall of Adam. Prayer is defined as the voluntary relinquishment of one’s own freedom to allow for divine intervention, whilst fasting, and the examples of Saint Gregory Palamas and Saint Joseph the Hesychast, illustrate the path to deification and salvation.

Colloquium No. II (XII) / 2021 On Prayer (II). An interview with Father Archimandrite Veniamin Micle Fr. Constantin Olariu

The dialogue with Father Veniamin explores the nature, forms and role of prayer in Christian life, emphasising that prayer is an ontological necessity for humankind – not a magical practice, but an act of freedom and communion with God. The different kinds of prayer are analysed according to the teachings of Saint John Climacus, Saint Symeon the New Theologian and Saint Theophan the Recluse, as well as the role of the spiritual father in guiding the faithful along the path of pure prayer.

Studia Theologica No. I (XI) / 2021 The lifting up of my hands, the evening sacrifice (ἔπαρσις τῶν χειρῶν μου θυσία ἑσπερινή) Rev. Dr. Ștefan Zară

Origen’s treatise On Prayer (chapters XXXI–XXXII) examines the formal aspects of Christian prayer: the appropriate place for prayer (at home or in church), the time (unceasing prayer and the three daily times), bodily posture (outstretched hands, eyes raised, kneeling) and facing the East, all of which are seen as outward expressions of the supplicant’s inner spiritual state.

Colloquium No. I (XI) / 2021 Interview with the Most Reverend Father Archimandrite Veniamin Micle Fr. Constantin Olariu

The interview conducted by Fr. Constantin Olariu with Father Veniamin addresses the deification of man, unceasing prayer and the Hesychast tradition in Romanian monasticism, with particular reference to Bistrița Monastery and the intercessions of Saint Gregory the Decapolite; the reader comes to understand that prayer, rooted in the teachings of the Holy Fathers, is man’s living and continuous communion with God.

Studia Theologica No. I (X) / 2020 Gratitude: the natural state of a person filled with the Holy Spirit His Eminence Varsanufie

Gratitude towards God is examined as a fundamental spiritual state, springing from an awareness of God’s gifts and culminating in the Holy Eucharist, understood as a complete union with Christ. Drawing on the teachings of Saints Cyril of Alexandria, Gregory Palamas, John Chrysostom, Dumitru Stăniloae and the Gospel passage on the healing of the ten lepers, the article demonstrates that authentic gratitude signifies a constant communion with God, whilst its absence leads to alienation and dehumanisation.

Colloquium No. II (IX) / 2019 On the health of the soul. A helpful word from Abba Julian the Prodromite George Crăsnean

The article sets out the teachings of the monk Iulian Lazăr of the Prodromou Skete (Mount Athos), as conveyed to some visitors in February 2014, and contains exhortations on deification, unceasing prayer, the healing of the soul through confession and a spiritual father, patience in the face of injustice, love for one’s neighbour and zeal for holiness.

Litterae No. III (VII) / 2018 The Mother Superior Rev. Dr. Ștefan Zară

Mother Elisaveta, the abbess of Surpatele Monastery, prays in distress following a dream in which she sees the monastery being plundered and her own funeral, wondering whether this revelation is from God or a diabolical deception. Alongside her are depicted the figures of the young Anica, gifted with the talents of psalm-singing and icon-painting, and of Archimandrite Simeon, a devoted ascetic from the community of Dintr-un Lemn Monastery.

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