year of prayer:

recommended Books

General Books on Prayer

Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

  • Beginning to Pray, Paulist Press, 1970, 128 pages.

  • Living Prayer, Darton, Longman and Todd, 1968, 160 pages. 

  • Beauty and Meaning, Darton, Longman & Todd, 2023, 160 pages.

  • School for Prayer, Darton, Longman & Todd, 130 pages.

  • Courage to Pray, St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1997, 122 pages.

Archimandrite Sophrony (Sakharov)

  • On Prayer, Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist, reprinted 2016, 208 pages. This book can be purchased through the Holy Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction, MI.

Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou 

  • Prayer, As Infinite Creation, Stavropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist (Essex, UK).

  • Hypostatic Prayer, Stavropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist (Essex, UK), ebook.

Matthew the Poor

  • Orthodox Prayer Life, St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2003, 208 pages.

Father Sergius Bower

  • Acquiring the Mind of Christ, St. Tikhon's Monastery Press, 2015, 163 pages.

Igumen Chariton of Valamo

  • The Art of Prayer, An Orthodox Anthology, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1997,288 pages.

Sister Vassa Larin

  • Praying in Time: The Hours & Days in Step with Orthodox Christian Tradition, Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2023, 124 pages.

Fr. Evan Armatas

  • Toolkit for Spiritual Growth: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving, Ancient Faith Publishing, 2022, 112 pages.

From Holy Dormition Orthodox Monastery, Rives Junction, MI

  • Timeless Truths: The Annual Liturgical Cycle for Every Year, from the Teachings of Sr. Symeon Kragiopoulos, Holy Women’s Hesychasterion.

  • The Psalter, HDM Press, 214 pages.

  • The Shield of Psalmic Prayer: Reflections on Translating, Interpreting and Praying the Psalter, Donald Sheehan, 328 pages.

Michael Keiser

  • A beginner’s Guide to Prayer, The Orthodox Way to Grow Closer to God. Ancient Faith Publishing, 2003, 104 pages.

Jim Forest

  • Praying with Icons. Orbis Books, 2008, 218 pages. A discussion of the use of icons as a powerful aid to prayer and contemplation.

Books on the Jesus Prayer:

19th-century Russian work

  • The Way of a Pilgrim & The Pilgrim Continues His Way, translated by Olga Savin, Shambhala Classics, 264 pages. Available at Ancient Faith Publishing. 

Bp. Ignatius Brianchaninov

  • On the Prayer of Jesus, St. John of Kronstadt Press (and others) with foreword by Kallistos Ware, 1995, 112 pages.

E. Kadloubovsky (Translator), G. E.H. Palmer (Translator)

  • Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart, Faber & Faber: 1992, 420 pages.

Federica Mathewes – Green

  • The Jesus Prayer, Paraclete Press, 2009, 196 pages.

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware

  • The Power of the Name: The Jesus Prayer in Orthodox Spirituality, SLG Press (Fairacres Publications No. 43), 1982 and reprinted several times since, 47 pages.

Prayer Books

Holy Trinity Monastery:

  • The Orthodox Prayer Book, Holy Trinity Monastery, 403 pages. 

Holy Transfiguration Monastery:

  • A Prayer Book for Orthodox Christians, Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 383 pages. 

  • Service of Preparation for Holy Communion, Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1986. Pocket sized booklet.  

  • The Psalter: According to the Seventy, Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1997, 300 pages.

Ancient Faith Publishing:

  • The Ancient Faith Prayer Book, Ancient Faith Publishing, 176 pages.

  • Hear Me: A Prayer Book for Orthodox Young Adults (3rd edition), Ancient Faith Publishing, 144 pages.

Newrome Press:

  • Orthodox Christian Prayer Book, Newrome Press, 232 pages. Also, in a travel edition.

Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese:

  • Pocket Prayer Book for Orthodox Christians, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, 126 pages.

Capricorn Publishing:

  • Orthodox Prayer Book, can be purchased on Amazon, 62 pages. 

St. Spyridon Orthodox Church:

  • Sunday Liturgy Service Books, which include Pre– and Post-Communion prayers. These Pre-Communion prayers are offered prior to Liturgy, often the night before. The Post-Communion prayers are offered after receiving the Eucharist.