the hours – West Point Orthodox Christian Chapel

First Hour Rule of Prayer: What is This?

I’m one of these strange humans called a “morning person.” My mind and body are best functioning before noon and even greater than evening and nighttime. A prayer rule is a practice of being in God’s presence throughout the day. The Apostle Paul taught early Christians to pray without ceasing. St. Ignatius Briancahninov suggested thatContinue reading “First Hour Rule of Prayer: What is This?”

Orthodox Christian Life: Voluntary Obligations

A close relative of mine expressed her misgivings about my converting to Orthodox Christianity several years ago. To her, the faith seemed complex and ridged with the ancient prayers, praying at certain times of the day, iconography and so many other things that are absent in modern denominations and non-denominational churches. “Do you really needContinue reading “Orthodox Christian Life: Voluntary Obligations”

The Hours: A Daily Practice of Prayer

I learned a thing or two about the Islamic faith as a kid and thought it was cool that they made a point to pray five times a day every day. My question of, “Why don’t we Christians pray like that” was met with an answer of something like, “We pray when the Lord movesContinue reading “The Hours: A Daily Practice of Prayer”