www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology EastCarm: How Carmelites Pray

Dear Friends in Mt Carmel,

I did do a translation of three of the four of St Seraphim's prayer rules that are here SOMEWHERE

Also, a translation of St Seraphim Zvezdinsky's Rule of the Theotokos, which is an embellishment of St Seraphim of Sarov's rule.

Zvezdinsky grew up as an Old Believer and was later an Orthodox Bishop when he was martyred by the Soviets in 1937.

He had a series of 15 longer prayers that he recited at the beginning of each of the 15 decades of his Rule - but these are now lost.

There is a Russian language site that has all four, but I've yet to tackle the translation of the very long psalter rule of St Seraphim . . .

Alex, ICCBF

Dear Friends,

As I was asked by our Abbot here, my daily rule is dictated by time.

I find the Rosary to be easily blended in with any form of work or "busyness" and I like to pray the "phrase method" rosary daily.

(I do have a blessing from Fr. Al Sieracki of Darien to substitute the Rosary for the Little Office)

There is always the Jesus Prayer to be prayed in place of the Office, but on weekends especially I prefer to do as much of Vespers, Sunday Matins et al. as possible according to the Byzantine Horologion.

Alex, ICCBF

Dear Brother Alex,
You mention Fr. Al Sieracki in Darien. It is too much to hope for but did you know Fr. Howard Rafferty who was at Darien. He was (along with Fr. Carmel O'Shea in Ireland and Fr. Joseph Abbley Aylesford, England) responsible for my "intensive Formation" in the very early late 60s and early 70s. God rest their holy souls.

Pray without ceasing....Michael ICCBF

Dear Abbot Michael,

Yes, I corresponded with Fr. Howard!

It is a small world.

But, then again, Mt Carmel isn't such a ginormous mountain . . .

Alex, ICCBF

Dear Prior Michael,

I don't know if this has been posted before, but here is an Eastern Reflection on the Rule of St Albert of the Carmelites:

http://www.geocities.com/toc_phil/east.htm

Also, it is important to note that the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary that were brought in by the Carmelite Pope John Paul the Great are taken from a Third Order Carmelite Priest Bl. George of Malta.

Also, Section 14 of the Carmelite Rule talks about the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, being constantly on one's lips and in one's heart.

These are the exact same words that an Orthodox/EC monastic hears during his tonsure as he receives his prayer rope and is admonished to pray the Jesus Prayer, to have the Name of Jesus on his/her lips, heart and mind constantly to dispel the darts of the evil one.

Alex ICCBF

My Friend and Brother Alex,
It is indeed a small world. I was blessed to share many days with Fr. Howard, God rest his holy soul. He was particularly fond of my wife's pot roast.

I hope all souls take advantage of the site you provided a link to. I have found it a very useful and beautiful site on multiple levels. It's so well written I thought it must have come from your desk.

Pray without ceasing....Michael ICCBF

Dear Prior Michael,

I like to think I'm good, but I'm not THAT good!

Sorry to have referred to you as "Abbot" for so long, as if we're Benedictines or something like that!

Alex

Brother Alex,
Actually. I was elected Prior after I was Master of Formation in the Holy Slavery of Jesus in Mary Carmel, back in the day. So, if I need a title, at least I'm more comfortable with prior.

Pray without ceasing....Michael ICCBF

To all those souls who's tradition encourages fasting, today is the eve of the feast day of St. Elisha on June 14.

May you all receive a double portion.
Pray without ceasing....Michael ICCBF

I would like to pose one question; hopefully, I will get some feedback.

It is my habit to pray the Jesus Prayer thus:

"LORD, JESUS CHRIST SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME THE SINNER."

Does any soul have experience with the formula:

"Lord. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner."

If you are a soul who finds this insignificant, you need not reply. Everyone else, please chime in.

Pray without ceasing....Michael ICCBF

I pray, "have mercy on me a sinner." I'm sure there are other sinners besides myself, although I doubt many are more gifted at it.

I bet I'm pretty high up on that sinner list myself I say the same prayer but with "A" instead of "the". I met A byzantine priest where I work who was very suprised I new about the Jesus prayer or about the chatki. I told him my Dad knows everything about all religions and told me about it. I don't know why roman Catholics don't know about it?

I use the original formula, and at times I insert "heal me a sinner" when I'm amiss in body, mind or spirit.

james

For all of the forgetful mind :rolleyes: , here is a beautiful Akathist to Our Lady of Mount Carmel by our beloved Alex , truly inspiring !

https://www.byzcath.org/sites/alex/web/Akathist-Our-Lady-Mount-Carmel.pdf

If posted before, forgive me & my feeble mind,

james

I was beginning to think everyone had left town but me!