The Eastern Cross/Guides/How to pray
A beginner's guide to Orthodox prayer
How to pray as an Orthodox Christian
Morning and evening prayers you can pray right here, the Jesus Prayer, the sign of the cross, and a corner of your home for God.
I · Pray now
Pray with this page
Stand in front of an icon if you have one, take a breath, and go through the prayers one at a time. Tap the circles to keep count when a prayer is said three times.
II · Starting out
Where to begin
Orthodox Christians pray with a rule, a regular pattern of prayer kept every day, usually in the morning and before bed. The point is to keep company with God every day, a little at a time, the way you'd keep in touch with someone you love.
- Pick a time and a placeThe same corner, at the same times. Right after you get up and just before bed work for most people.
- Start smallThe short rule on this page takes two minutes. Once it's a habit, move on to the full morning and evening prayers.
- Stand, and use your bodyStand facing your icons, make the sign of the cross, and bow. Light a candle or a lamp if you can. Prayer involves the whole person.
- Pray slowlySay the words aloud or under your breath, and mean them. When your mind wanders, and it will, gently bring it back.
- Add your own wordsAfter the written prayers, pray for your family, your friends, the sick and the departed, by name.
- Talk to a priestA priest can give you a rule that fits your life, and help when prayer feels dry. That's what spiritual fathers are for.
III · The sign of the cross
How to make the sign of the cross
Orthodox Christians cross themselves many times a day: at the start and end of prayer, at the name of the Holy Trinity, when they enter a church or kiss an icon, and before meals.
- Your hand. Join the tips of your thumb, index and middle fingers for the Holy Trinity. Fold the other two fingers into your palm for the two natures of Christ, God and man.
- Forehead, then your lower chest,
- then your right shoulder,
- and your left shoulder. Then bow.
Orthodox Christians go right to left, the reverse of the Western custom. The diagram shows someone facing you, so their right shoulder is on your left. As you cross yourself you can say "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit", or simply pray in silence.
IV · At home
Your icon corner
Most Orthodox homes have a "beautiful corner": a shelf or a wall of icons where the family prays, ideally on an east-facing wall. It can start with two icons on a bookshelf. Tap the numbers to see what goes where.
V · Prayer of the heart
The Jesus Prayer and the prayer rope
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν.
This one short prayer holds the whole Gospel: who Christ is, and what we need from Him. Monks of the desert prayed it all day long, following St. Paul's "pray without ceasing", and the saints of the Philokalia wrote about it for centuries. Anyone can pray it: on the bus, at work, when you can't sleep, when you're anxious.
Say it slowly, without hurrying to the end, and keep your attention on the words. Many people pray it with a prayer rope, one prayer on each knot. Try it here.
Tap the rope each time you finish the prayer. A full rope is 33 prayers, the years of Christ's life on earth.
The Fathers taught breathing methods with this prayer only under a spiritual father's guidance. On your own, just pray it slowly and attentively.
VI · Through the day
Prayers through the day
Short prayers turn ordinary moments toward God. Here are three to learn by heart.
Before a meal
O Christ our God, bless the food and drink of Your servants, for You are holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, εὐλόγησον τὴν βρῶσιν καὶ τὴν πόσιν τῶν δούλων σου, ὅτι ἅγιος εἶ, πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.
After a meal
We thank You, O Christ our God, for You have filled us with Your earthly gifts. Do not deprive us of Your heavenly Kingdom.
Εὐχαριστοῦμέν σοι, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὅτι ἐνέπλησας ἡμᾶς τῶν ἐπιγείων σου ἀγαθῶν· μὴ στερήσῃς ἡμᾶς καὶ τῆς ἐπουρανίου σου βασιλείας.
Before study or work
Most gracious Lord, send down on us the grace of Your Holy Spirit, who gives understanding and strengthens the mind, so that, attending to what we learn, we may grow to Your glory as our Creator, for the joy of our parents, and for the good of the Church and the world.
VII · The texts
The prayers in full
Every prayer from the player above, in English and, where we have it, the original Greek. Print it, or keep the page open on your phone in your prayer corner.
Morning prayersAbout 5 minutes
The beginning
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος. Ἀμήν.
Make the sign of the cross.
Glory to You
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Δόξα σοι, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι.
O Heavenly King
O Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who are everywhere present and fill all things, treasury of blessings and giver of life: come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Βασιλεῦ Οὐράνιε, Παράκλητε, τὸ Πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας, ὁ πανταχοῦ παρὼν καὶ τὰ πάντα πληρῶν, ὁ θησαυρὸς τῶν ἀγαθῶν καὶ ζωῆς χορηγός, ἐλθὲ καὶ σκήνωσον ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ καθάρισον ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης κηλῖδος, καὶ σῶσον, Ἀγαθέ, τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
From Pascha until Pentecost, say "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life" three times instead.
The Trisagion ×3
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, Ἅγιος Ἰσχυρός, Ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.
Cross yourself and bow each time.
Glory…
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.
O Most Holy Trinity
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake.
Παναγία Τριάς, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς· Κύριε, ἱλάσθητι ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν· Δέσποτα, συγχώρησον τὰς ἀνομίας ἡμῖν· Ἅγιε, ἐπίσκεψαι καὶ ἴασαι τὰς ἀσθενείας ἡμῶν, ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου.
Lord, have mercy ×3
Lord, have mercy.
Κύριε, ἐλέησον.
Glory…
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Πάτερ ἡμῶν, ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου· ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου· γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον· καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν· καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.
Having risen from sleep
Having risen from sleep, we fall down before You, O Good One, and cry out to You, O Mighty One, the hymn of the angels: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God. Through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Ἐξεγερθέντες τοῦ ὕπνου, προσπίπτομέν σοι, Ἀγαθέ, καὶ τὸν τῶν Ἀγγέλων ὕμνον βοῶμέν σοι, Δυνατέ· Ἅγιος, Ἅγιος, Ἅγιος εἶ ὁ Θεός· διὰ τῆς Θεοτόκου ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.
A morning prayer of St. Macarius the Great
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, for I have never done anything good before You. Deliver me from the evil one, and let Your will be done in me, so that I may open my unworthy mouth without condemnation and praise Your holy name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Jesus Prayer many times
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν.
Say it slowly and quietly, as many times as you like.
To the Theotokos
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne the Saviour of our souls.
Θεοτόκε Παρθένε, χαῖρε, κεχαριτωμένη Μαρία, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ. Εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξί, καὶ εὐλογημένος ὁ καρπὸς τῆς κοιλίας σου, ὅτι Σωτῆρα ἔτεκες τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν.
The ending
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Δι' εὐχῶν τῶν ἁγίων Πατέρων ἡμῶν, Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἐλέησον καὶ σῶσον ἡμᾶς. Ἀμήν.
Evening prayersAbout 5 minutes
The beginning
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος. Ἀμήν.
Make the sign of the cross.
Glory to You
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Δόξα σοι, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι.
O Heavenly King
O Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who are everywhere present and fill all things, treasury of blessings and giver of life: come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Βασιλεῦ Οὐράνιε, Παράκλητε, τὸ Πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας, ὁ πανταχοῦ παρὼν καὶ τὰ πάντα πληρῶν, ὁ θησαυρὸς τῶν ἀγαθῶν καὶ ζωῆς χορηγός, ἐλθὲ καὶ σκήνωσον ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ καθάρισον ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης κηλῖδος, καὶ σῶσον, Ἀγαθέ, τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
From Pascha until Pentecost, say "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life" three times instead.
The Trisagion ×3
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, Ἅγιος Ἰσχυρός, Ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.
Cross yourself and bow each time.
Glory…
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.
O Most Holy Trinity
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake.
Παναγία Τριάς, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς· Κύριε, ἱλάσθητι ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν· Δέσποτα, συγχώρησον τὰς ἀνομίας ἡμῖν· Ἅγιε, ἐπίσκεψαι καὶ ἴασαι τὰς ἀσθενείας ἡμῶν, ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου.
Lord, have mercy ×3
Lord, have mercy.
Κύριε, ἐλέησον.
Glory…
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Πάτερ ἡμῶν, ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου· ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου· γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον· καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν· καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.
A prayer before sleep
O Lord our God, in Your goodness and love for mankind, forgive me whatever I have sinned today in word, in deed and in thought. Grant me peaceful and untroubled sleep. Send Your guardian angel to shelter me and keep me from all evil, for You are the guardian of our souls and bodies, and to You we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
To the Theotokos
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne the Saviour of our souls.
Θεοτόκε Παρθένε, χαῖρε, κεχαριτωμένη Μαρία, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ. Εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξί, καὶ εὐλογημένος ὁ καρπὸς τῆς κοιλίας σου, ὅτι Σωτῆρα ἔτεκες τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν.
The Jesus Prayer many times
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν.
Say it slowly and quietly, as many times as you like.
Into Your hands
Into Your hands, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, I commend my spirit. Bless me, have mercy on me, and grant me eternal life. Amen.
The last prayer before sleep. Cross yourself, and your bed.
The ending
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Δι' εὐχῶν τῶν ἁγίων Πατέρων ἡμῶν, Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἐλέησον καὶ σῶσον ἡμᾶς. Ἀμήν.
A short ruleAbout 2 minutes, for busy days
The beginning
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος. Ἀμήν.
Make the sign of the cross.
The Trisagion ×3
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, Ἅγιος Ἰσχυρός, Ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.
Cross yourself and bow each time.
Glory…
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Πάτερ ἡμῶν, ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου· ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου· γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον· καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν· καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.
The Jesus Prayer many times
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν.
Say it slowly and quietly, as many times as you like.
The ending
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Δι' εὐχῶν τῶν ἁγίων Πατέρων ἡμῶν, Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἐλέησον καὶ σῶσον ἡμᾶς. Ἀμήν.
The English translations are our own, made from the Greek and Slavonic for this page. Prayer books in English often use "Thee" and "Thou", and both are fine.
VIII · Questions
Questions
How long should I pray each day?
Start with what you can keep every day, even five minutes in the morning and five at night. Faithfulness matters more than length. Your priest can help you set a rule, a regular pattern of prayer that fits your life, and adjust it as you grow.
Can I pray in my own words?
Yes, and you should. The written prayers of the Church teach us how to pray and carry us on the days we have no words, and you can add your own prayers for the people and the needs on your heart.
Do Orthodox Christians stand or kneel to pray?
Usually stand, facing east toward the icons, with small bows and the sign of the cross. Many people also make prostrations, bowing to the ground. Since the Council of Nicaea, Christians traditionally don't kneel on Sundays or between Pascha and Pentecost, the season of the Resurrection.
What if I miss my prayers?
Start again at the next prayer time without beating yourself up. Everyone misses. If the full prayers are too much on a hard day, say the short rule or just the Jesus Prayer.
Do I need a prayer rope?
No, but many people find it helps. A prayer rope, called a komboskini in Greek and a chotki in Slavonic, is a loop of knotted wool, usually with 33, 50 or 100 knots. You say one Jesus Prayer on each knot, which keeps your mind on the prayer and stops you counting.
Should I use breathing techniques with the Jesus Prayer?
The Fathers describe ways of joining the prayer to the breath, and they always taught them under the guidance of a spiritual father. On your own, simply say the prayer slowly and attentively. That is how most Orthodox Christians pray it.
Is it okay to pray to the saints and the Theotokos?
Orthodox Christians ask the saints to pray for them, the way you would ask a friend at church. The prayers to the Theotokos on this page ask her intercession. Worship is given to God alone.
Which way should I face?
Toward the east, if you can, the direction of the rising sun and of Christ's return. That's why churches face east. If your icons can't go on an east wall, put them where you can pray quietly, and face them.
IX · Sources
Sources and further reading
Where the prayers and the guidance on this page come from.
Prayer books
- Morning Prayers and Evening Prayers, Orthodox Church in AmericaThe full daily prayers, for when you're ready for more
- Prayer Book (Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville)The classic English Orthodox prayer book, with the morning and evening prayers, the prayers before Communion and the Akathists
- The Horologion (Ὡρολόγιον τὸ Μέγα)The Greek texts of the opening prayers, the Trisagion and the hymns quoted here
Prayer and the Jesus Prayer
- The Philokalia, compiled by Sts. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain and Makarios of Corinth (English trans. Palmer, Sherrard and Ware)The teaching of the Fathers on the Jesus Prayer and watchfulness
- The Way of a PilgrimThe Russian classic about a wanderer learning to pray without ceasing
- Metropolitan Anthony Bloom, Beginning to PrayA short, warm book for anyone starting out
- Canon 20 of the First Council of NicaeaStanding, not kneeling, on Sundays and during the Pentecost season
Spotted an error? Tell us on our Discord and we'll fix it.
Pray with others
The Eastern Cross is a Discord server for Orthodox Christians and people looking into Orthodoxy. Post a prayer request and others will pray for you, or ask anything about prayer you're unsure of.
Request Entry