THE NAME, HEART FLASHES

The Prayer of Jesus is the chief weapon of the Remnant that must be fought in the battleground of (for) the heart, the method is to invoke the Name of Jesus over and over again in the heart, as flashes of lightning appear in the sky before the rain (Joel 2:23).  

The Name of Jesus is the lightning flash which, when repeated in the sky of the heart (the nous), induces the healing rain of Divine grace to water the "earth of the heart".  (i.e. the nous, mind is the sky of the earth or the heart, the sky coming down to the earth with the lightning of the Holy Name invoked and as the sky delivers this rain, the earth (heart) opens to receive and there the Name is invoked by the heart. (MLP 1:158).  

Furthermore the heart is truly a cosmos: sky, atmosphere, rain, earth, fruit producing, all pointing to the existence of life, as with the earth, only the heart has life. 

 "Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all." - Phil. 2:17

Prayer Path

Today Seraphim had went out to walk the grounds while saying his rosary and I was out on the deck at Anna House sweeping off the hundreds of ladybugs.   I glanced over toward the Chicken Coop to see what the chicks were doing.   With the Spring sunshine heating up the grass,  I expected to see the chickens darting about chasing bugs, scratching and pecking.  But instead, I came across a sight that took me back.

It took me back several years to another place and time - a difficult time  except for this one fond memory.

At our former place, in the middle of the city, we built a grotto.  This provided the perfect setting to say the Rosary.  Night after Night, Day after Day we said the rosary at the grotto.

As America went into Iraq during the war, Seraphim began Walking around the Grotto praying the rosary. The deeper and more difficult the war became, the more Seraphim walked in prayer, walking the path he prayed and praying the path he walked.

Soon a visible path began to surface, a path made completely out of prayer.   The prayer path hadn't been planned, it just happened.

Saying the rosary while walking engages all the senses, the movement, the sights and sounds around you, verbalizing the clauses out loud, breathing the air - it all helps to deepen your prayer, and in the case of the Rosary it deepens the Life of Jesus within you.

"If you want to understand the Rosary, its praying the Life of Jesus.  If you want to understand Mary, its saying "yes" to that Life.  Therefore the Rosary is praying the Life of Jesus in union with Mary who said yes to that Life." - Seraphim.

Later we were excited to find out that John Bradburne the Franciscan, martyred during the war in Zimbabwe,  also had a prayer walk he called the Prayer Track up on top of Chigona Mount.

At certain times, others began to come to walk the Prayer Path and the Grotto Area became a Sacred Space in an Urban Place.

There were a lot of struggles, battles won and lost at that former place but the Grotto Enclosure was the biggest source of comfort to a lot of us.   Walking into that Sacred Space felt secure, like climbing up onto the lap of Jesus and taking a big sigh of relief.  You could breathe easy there.  It has been the one thing I have missed since we moved to the skete.

From time to time, we've talked of building a grotto.  But that takes, time, labor, money and energy.  A project sitting on the "back burner" waiting to bubble forth.

But today, as I swept the deck ...

I peered through the trees I saw that old comforting sight -  Seraphim was walking a large circle...

beads clicking one after another.  In his hands (as is always the case when he says the Rosary - thanks to Fr. Gabriel Harty) his rosary and his Bible.  The Bible and the Beads.

We, at St. Simeon Skete, have taken to heart the words of Fr. Gabriel, "If you want to get back to the source of the Rosary, to its origin we would need to open the Scriptures.  That is why I like to bring together the Bible and the Beads, the two together." Fr. Gabriel Harty, O.P.

Upon Seraphim's return to Anna House, without any other words I asked "Are we starting the prayer path?"  "Maybe", he said, "maybe we will."  

And so this time around the prayer path will come first and as we can, we hope to add the Grotto, but for now it is enough to watch as the prayer reveals the path.  "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." - Psalm 16:11.  

Tradition

The St. Simeon Skete Epiphany traditions of blessing all the entrances to every building and taking the Blessed Cross to the River were not hampered by the arctic temperatures in Taylorsville nor did the dangerous subzero windchills deter the practice.

This morning Seraphim packed his bag with Holy Water and Blessed Chalk for the doors and a newly made Cross for 2014 and headed down the steep hills towards to river. The temperature was hovering between 0º F and 1º F and the windchill was registering -20º.  For details on this tradition please click on this link:  NHA EPIPHANY TRADITION LINK #1  and NHA EPIPHANY LINK #2.

As he headed out, he first blessed the entrances to Anna House.

The splashes of Holy Water immediately froze as they hit the door.  And as Seraphim left, Chase watched feeling a little left out.

Because I have Raynaud Syndrome, it was best I didn't make the long hike through the woods to river.  So while Seraphim was making his way to the Cave of the Seven Sleepers while praying the rosary and ending up at the River, I found myself shivering in the Chapel.  In order to keep costs down, we do not heat the Chapel during the week - just enough to keep pipes from breaking.

As I began to recite the Jesus Prayer, all bundled up in my scarf, hat, gloves, hoodie and parka; I glanced around at the icons.  I smiled as I thought - "even the Icons are bundled up!".  

However, the scarves around the icon are NOT to stave away the cold but rather they are "bidding towels".   Many years ago in our hermitage in Louisville, Seraphim would place a bidding towel around an icon and pin specific prayer requests onto the Icon Scarf ... or Bidding Towel.   

The St. Simeon Skete Bidding Towels are "pinned" with prayers for provision and protection of the Skete.   In Russia, icon scarves are called rushniks or rushnyk.  The very basic rushnyks without designs such as those we use, are informally called utyralnyk or ''wiper" and serves as a towel.  The rectangular shape of the fabric indicates a life's journey. In Russia, a rushnyk is given to a baby at birth.  It follows the person, draping icons in their prayer corners throughout their life and used in the funeral service after death.

Our icon scarves serve to summon prayer.  These "bidding towels" are very special to us and what makes them even more endearing is that these scarves were made by two creative and talented women whose prayers were knitted within every stitch.  

It used to be that each time I bought myself a new scarf to match an outfit, it would go missing.  I never had to search hard or far.  I always found it draped over an icon.  

Seraphim introduced me to Icons (specifically Russian Icons) many years ago and they are very much a part of our "family".  My granddaughter called the icons on the wall of the Sacristy at our previous church,  "Seraphim's friends"'. Therefore, I certainly don't mind sharing my scarves with these "Windows into Heaven".   (But thanks to these accomplished knitters, I now have the opportunity to wear my scarves again).

As I mentioned above the "Bidding Towels" or scarves on the icons at St. Simeon Skete were made by two very talented knitters.  

Nancy Jackson of Magalia, California began the draping of our icons in scarves when she made two bidding towels for the Chapel.  Nancy makes exquisite prayer shawls, each shawl completely bathed in prayer and love. 

Icon written as a boy by Fr. Robert Haux now enthroned in the skete's chapel

As icons increased in the chapel, Miriam R. Pelikan Pittinger of Madison, Indiana (a member of St. Simeon Skete and part of our choir) diligently knitted a scarf for each remaining icon.  Like, Nancy, Miriam is an incredibly talented knitter.  

It is a rarity to see Miriam without knitting needles moving through yarn. 

So today as I waited for Seraphim's return from the river, sitting in the chapel, knitted scarf around my neck, I continue to feel surrounded by friends. And not just any friends, but friends that constantly invite me to pray.  

As the traditions of Epiphany take place today I recall that Icons are the work of tradition.  

The icon is not only the iconographer's personal meditation but in its portraying of Biblical history passed on by generation after generation, we become united.  

"It is the task of the iconographer to open our eyes to the actual presence of the Kingdom in the world and to remind us that though we see nothing of its splendid liturgy, we are, if we believe in Christ the Redeemer, in fact living and worshipping as fellow citizens of angels and saints, built upon the chief cornerstone with Christ." Thomas Merton

As there was prayer in the stitches of the "bidding towels";  making an icon is a fulfillment of prayer. 

Fr. Zinon said of icons in a museum: "They should all be put back in the churches they were taken from." He went on to say, "They are not civil paintings.  They aren't for museums.  They aren't decorations.  They are a reflection that God became man.  They are holy doors." pg. 19, "Praying with Icons". 

As this Feast Day of The Epiphany draws to a close, the traditions at the skete have all been completed. Every door on the property has been blessed, first with Holy Water and then dated with blessed chalk.  The Blessed 2014 Wooden Cross is now floating downstream blending into one tributary and the next rendering all waters Baptismal.   

And for those of you who are wondering - Yes! ... 

...The Door to the chicken coop was blessed as well! 

 

From the Sixth Hour to the Ninth Hour

"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness 

over all the land 

unto the ninth hour". Matthew 27:45

Today prior to noon, at St. Simeon Skete, we will walk and pray the first 11 Stations of the Cross.  

At noon, the time that Jesus is lifted up on the Cross we will remain in silence until 3 PM when we then complete the remaining Stations of the Cross.  

And when the sixth hour was come, 

there was darkness over the whole land 

until the ninth hour. Mark 15:33-34

The Stations are done this way every Friday at the Skete, not only during the Lenten Season but all year.  

We do this devotion a bit different than the standard way said at a church.  For us, it is called "The State of The Cross" rather than the Stations of the Cross. 

The word "state" is used rather than Station because every step, action and word as well as everything felt and done by those who took part in this tragic reality, continues to be present in its Stations. 

The Scriptures: "The son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. And He said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. for whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." Luke 9:22-24

In encountering the Cross, people throughout the ages have always been confronted by the choice either of becoming Christ's followers or his executioners. 

"So from that day on they planned to put Him to death." John 11:53 

 It is a practice of the skete to continually study - a daily ongoing study - the Way of the Cross.    As we begin the weekly "State of the Cross" we invoke the help of the Holy Spirit.  Certain Greeks said to the Apostle Philip, "we would see Jesus" (John 12:21) and it is this prayer that we address to the Holy Spirit: 

 "Holy Spirit, I would see Jesus"

Then it is said:

I see you, Jesus...

you go it alone:

you drink the cup:

you are condemned to death:

you take up your cross:

you fall for the first time:

you meet your mother:

Simon carries your cross:

Veronica wipes your face:

you fall, the second time:

the women weep for you:

you fall, for the third time:

you are stripped:

your are nailed to the cross:

you die:

you are taken down from the cross:

you are placed in the tomb. 

I see you, Jesus

I walk with you Jesus

The Intro to each Station:

In the State of the Cross, I offer myself to the "insert first, second - whichever station you are on" Station of: "describe the action such as Meeting your Mother, etc" 

Before each Station: 

V. I see the O Lord Jesus, and I am saved

R. Because by the Holy Cross thou has redeemed the world. 

At this time a meditation can be read and then 

After each Station:

Eleven Jesus Prayers

"And He went a little further" Matthew 26:39

Stabat Mater 

At the Closing: (the following are said)

The Offering 

The Poorer Means

"I go in the Name of the Lord, IAM sends me as a chosen vessel to bear His Name and you shall call His Name, Jesus" 

Since we say The Stations every Friday and our practice is the ongoing study of the Way of the Cross,  as we stand before each station what we have studied, what we have internalized, the versions we have read over the years come forth as we say the eleven Jesus Prayers.  

And it was about the sixth hour, 

and there was a darkness 

over all the earth 

until the ninth hour. Luke:23:44

We use different versions of the stations, most recently a wonderful Way of the Cross written by the author,  Susan Prudhomme.  We've worked through it this Lent and now it is part of rumination of the collective stations we've taken into our hearts and recollect as we pray the Jesus Prayers at each Station. 

For further reading on the Stations of the Cross we recommend the following links: 

MY WAY OF THE CROSS (click here)

Sierra Leone Way of the Cross (click here)

A Day at the Skete

Daily Prayer Rule (The Eleven)

Morning bathed in moonlight at the Skete.  ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

Our Mornings begin very early at the Skete.  The First three of "The Eleven" begin at 3:20 AM in our individual cells.  It is the stepping into the stream of prayer, one Office flowing into the other. 

The Bible and the Beads                           ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reser ved

1. Prayer Rope (first strand):  3:20 AM EST – free

2. Prayer Rope (second strand): free

3. Prayer Rope (third strand): free

In the stillness of the night, we make our way to the chapel ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved

As the ongoing prayer flows throughout the wee hours of the morning; at the Fourth Office, Lauds with the Lord's Supper, the community comes together at 4:40 AM in the Chapel.  ...and the prayer continues 

©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved

 4. Lauds with the Lord’s Supper: 4:40 AM EST. – fixed

Our Lady of Nazareth, Messenger of Peace enthroned in the Chapel     ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

5. Little Office of the Incarnation: 6:00 AM EST – free

Clouds over the Skete, almost look like a ladder to Heaven.             ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

6. Little Office of the Incarnation: Noon – free

7. Prayer Rope (second strand): 3:00 PM EST – free

8. Vespers (Prayer Book Office) and Prayer Rope (third strand): 5:00 PM EST -fixed

9. Little Office of the Incarnation: 6:00 PM EST – free

Dusk at the Skete              ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

10. Compline: 7:30 PM – fixed

11. Prayer Rope (first strand): 8:15 PM EST – free

Entrance Gate at the Skete             ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

Notes:

1.The First Five of “The Eleven” is a continuous flow, a stepping into an ongoing river of prayer. (Ps 46:4;  Ezek. 47:1-12).

Front Doorway to the Chapel         ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

2.In addition to “The Eleven” the Nazareth Rosary (third strand of the Prayer Rope) is prayed daily.  The Nazareth Rosary is praying all 20 Mysteries at one setting whereas the Prayer Rope following Vespers is the chaplet of the day.

"Call to Prayer" Bell                ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

3. Hesychasts of the Skete spend what time left in manual labor and study.

Residents perform Minimum 4 hours daily manual labor at the Skete    ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

4. Those who are able observe the Typikon of the Eleventh Hour, one meal a day after 6 PM Office.

Snow covers the Chapel      ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

By request from those in various areas of the world who want to be in prayer with us at the Skete but are unable to be physically present, we have posted the above schedule.  Please note we are in Eastern Standard Time (EST) and adjust accordingly.  

©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

 It is is important for people to know that there is a place where prayer is going on continually for them as they go about their daily activities in the world.  When they are distracted, struggling, rushing from place to place, laughing or crying – there is someone here remembering them in prayer – praying them through their day.

Retreatant enters the Chapel                ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

Those living in residence at the Skete are required to attend The Eleven.   “Free” means, “on your own in your cell”.  ”Fixed” means, “together in a fixed area – The Meeting of the Lord Chapel”.   

Fencing above The Wailing Wall at St. Simeon Skete      ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

Those visiting the Skete are expected to attend the “fixed” Offices beginning with Lauds at 4:40 AM.  FIXED Offices are opened to the public.

Retreatants climbing stairs to Elisha's Loft at the Skete      ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

 Thursdays are "Desert" days in which we remain in silence and contemplation until the shared Evening Meal meeting together only at the Fixed Offices.   

 Conversation around the community dinner table.       ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

Fridays at the Skete, the Jesus Prayer Office (400 Rule) begins at 4:40 AM EST rather than Lauds and The Lord's Supper.   

The Holy Trinity Kellia and the Chapel across from it.       ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

At 3 PM EST, every Friday we participate in the Stations of the Cross.  This is ongoing year round and not only a Lenten Devotion.