“Prayer is standing before God with the mind in the heart.”
— St. Theophan the Recluse
Prayer is the breath of the Christian soul — the living conversation between the human person and the living God. The Orthodox tradition offers a rich treasury of prayers for every moment of the day, every season of the soul, and every need of the heart.
This page offers a collection of essential Orthodox prayers in both Romanian and English, for use in your personal and family prayer life at home.
🙏 How to Pray at Home
The Orthodox tradition recommends establishing a prayer corner (colțul de rugăciune) in your home — a small space with one or more icons, a candle, and perhaps an oil lamp (candela). This sacred corner becomes the focal point of family prayer, a visible reminder that God dwells with us in our daily lives.
The daily rhythm of Orthodox prayer includes:
- Morning Prayers — offered upon waking, before beginning the day
- Evening Prayers — offered before sleep, in thanksgiving and repentance
- Prayers before and after meals
- The Jesus Prayer — throughout the day, at any moment
✝️ The Sign of the Cross
The Sign of the Cross is the most fundamental gesture of Orthodox prayer — made at the beginning and end of every prayer, upon entering a church, when passing an icon, and at many moments throughout the day.
How to make the Sign of the Cross:
Join the first three fingers of the right hand (thumb, index, and middle) — representing the Holy Trinity. Fold the remaining two fingers to the palm — representing the two natures of Christ. Then touch:
- Forehead — “In the name of the Father”
- Chest — “and of the Son”
- Right shoulder — “and of the Holy”
- Left shoulder — “Spirit. Amen.”
🌅 Morning Prayers
The Trisagion Prayers
(Said at the beginning of all Orthodox prayer services)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth,
who are everywhere present and fill all things,
Treasury of good things and Giver of life:
come and dwell in us, cleanse us from every stain,
and save our souls, O gracious Lord.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (×3)
**Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.**
**Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
Lord, cleanse us from our sins.
Master, pardon our iniquities.
Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.**
Lord, have mercy. (×3)
**Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.**
**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 evil.**
**For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.**
În numele Tatălui și al Fiului și al Sfântului Duh. Amin.
Slavă Ție, Dumnezeul nostru, slavă Ție.
*Împărate ceresc, Mângâietorule, Duhul adevărului,
Care pretutindeni ești și toate le împlinești,
Vistierul bunătăților și dătătorule de viață,
vino și Te sălășluiește întru noi
și ne curățește de toată întinăciunea
și mântuiește, Bunule, sufletele noastre.*
A Morning Prayer of St. Philaret of Moscow
**Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace.
Help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will.
In every hour of the day, reveal Your will to me.
Bless my dealings with all who surround me.
Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day
with peace of soul, and with firm conviction that Your will governs all.
In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings.
In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by You.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.
Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.
Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray Yourself in me.
Amen.**
🌙 Evening Prayers
Prayer of St. John Chrysostom (Evening)
**Lord our God, if during this day I have sinned,
whether in word, or deed, or thought,
forgive me all, for You are good
and You love mankind.
Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep,
and deliver me from all influence and temptation of the evil one.
Raise me up again in proper time
that I may glorify You;
for You are blessed,
together with Your Only-begotten Son
and Your All-holy Spirit,
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.**
*Doamne Dumnezeul nostru, dacă în ziua de astăzi am păcătuit
cu cuvântul, cu fapta sau cu gândul,
iartă-ne toate, că ești bun și iubitor de oameni.
Dă-ne somn liniștit și netulburat
și ne ferește de toată uneltirea celui viclean.
Scoală-ne la vremea cuvenită
ca să Te slăvim;
că ești binecuvântat,
împreună cu Cel Unul-Născut Fiul Tău
și cu Preasfântul Tău Duh,
acum și pururea și în vecii vecilor. Amin.*
Prayer Before Sleep
**Into Your hands, O Lord Jesus Christ my God,
I commit my soul and body.
Bless me, have mercy on me, and grant me eternal life. Amen.**
*În mâinile Tale, Doamne Iisuse Hristoase, Dumnezeul meu,
încredințez sufletul și trupul meu.
Binecuvântează-mă, miluiește-mă și-mi dăruiește viața de veci. Amin.*
🍽 Prayers Before & After Meals
Before Meals
**Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name…**
(The Lord’s Prayer, in full)
**The eyes of all look to You with hope, O Lord,
and You give them their food in due season.
You open Your generous hand
and fill every living creature with blessing.**
*Tatăl nostru, Care ești în ceruri,
sfințească-se numele Tău…*
(Rugăciunea Domnească, în întregime)
*Ochii tuturor spre Tine nădăjduiesc, Doamne,
și Tu le dai lor hrană la bună vreme.
Deschizi Tu mâna Ta cea largă
și umpli de binecuvântare toată ființa vie.*
After Meals
**We thank You, Christ our God,
that You have satisfied us with Your earthly gifts.
Deprive us not of Your heavenly kingdom,
but as You came among Your disciples, O Savior,
and gave them peace, come among us also and save us. Amen.**
*Mulțumim Ție, Hristoase Dumnezeul nostru,
că ne-ai săturat cu bunătățile Tale cele pământești.
Nu ne lipsi nici de Împărăția Ta cea cerească,
ci precum ai venit în mijlocul ucenicilor Tăi, Mântuitorule,
dându-le lor pace, vino și în mijlocul nostru și ne mântuiește. Amin.*
📿 The Jesus Prayer
The most beloved prayer of the entire Orthodox tradition — the prayer of the heart, used throughout the day, during work, travel, and all of life’s moments:
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
“Doamne Iisuse Hristoase, Fiul lui Dumnezeu, miluiește-mă pe mine, păcătosul.”
This prayer can be said quietly, silently, or as part of a prayer rope (metanii / chotki) rule. It is the foundation of the Orthodox practice of hesychasm — the prayer of stillness and inner peace. Many of the great Romanian saints and elders, including Elder Cleopa of Sihăstria, taught this prayer as the surest path to union with God.
💙 Prayers to the Theotokos
The Theotokion (Axion Estin)
**It is truly right to bless you, O Theotokos,
ever-blessed and most pure,
and the Mother of our God.
More honorable than the Cherubim,
and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim,
without corruption you gave birth to God the Word.
True Theotokos, we magnify you.**
*Cuvine-se cu adevărat să te fericim pe tine, Născătoare de Dumnezeu,
cea pururea fericită și prea nevinovată și Maica Dumnezeului nostru.
Ceea ce ești mai cinstită decât Heruvimii
și mai mărită fără de asemănare decât Serafimii,
care fără stricăciune pe Dumnezeu Cuvântul ai născut,
pe tine, cea cu adevărat Născătoare de Dumnezeu, te mărim.*
Prayer to the Theotokos in Time of Need
**O Lady Theotokos, intercede for us sinners
at the hour of our death.
Receive our prayer and bring it
before your Son and our God,
that He may save our souls. Amen.**
✝️ Prayer for the Departed
Said for loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord:
**Give rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of Your servant(s)
(name/s),
in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment,
a place of repose, where all sickness, sighing,
and sorrow have fled away.
Pardon every transgression committed
by them in word, deed, or thought,
for You are good and love mankind. Amen.**
*Odihnește, Doamne, sufletul(sufletele) robului(robilor) Tău(Tăi)
(nume)
întru loc luminat, întru loc cu verdeață,
întru loc de odihnă, de unde a fugit toată durerea,
întristarea și suspinarea.
Toată greșeala ce a(u) făcut-o în cuvânt, în faptă sau în gând
iartă-o(iartă-le), ca un bun și iubitor de oameni. Amin.*
🙏 A Prayer for Romania & Moldova
**Lord God Almighty,
bless and protect the Romanian and Moldovan people,
guard their faith, preserve their families,
and keep alive in their hearts
the flame of Orthodoxy passed down
from generation to generation.
Strengthen those who are far from home,
that they may never lose their roots.
May the prayers of Saint Andrew, Saint Parascheva,
and all the saints of Romania
rise before Your throne on our behalf.
Amen.**
📚 Further Prayer Resources
For a full daily prayer rule, we recommend:
- 📖 Ceaslov (Romanian Orthodox Prayer Book) — available via patriarhia.ro
- 📖 Acatistier (Book of Akathists) — available via doxologia.ro
- 📖 The Jordanville Prayer Book (English) — available via jordanville.org
- 📿 The Jesus Prayer — guidance via ancientfaith.com
- 🎵 Paraclisul Maicii Domnului (Audio) — available via doxologia.ro
“Do not neglect prayer. Every time you pray, you are in the presence of God.”
— Elder Cleopa of Sihăstria
📞 +356 7732 8474 · 📘 facebook.com/parohiamalta · 📍 St. Roque’s Church, Valletta