Many times the sisters at some of the monasteries I visit will try to commit one or more akathists or supplicatory canons to memory. Here is how they do this:
Some print off the prayers they want to learn and cut them into small sections to keep in their pocket. When they are doing some of the more simpler jobs or tasks around the monastery they take out one piece of paper at a time and lay it in front of them. Then they say that section over and over again until they have it committed to memory. Afterward they take out the next piece of paper, adding another stanza or ode and so on until they have memorized the whole thing.
Others will use small prayer books to do they same thing – taking them out to read when they get stumped.
In the monastery there is always work to be done, rarely will a nun find herself idle. But in the world we are constantly waiting in lines at the grocery store, at the mechanic’s shop etc. And so, even if we don’t particularly care to commit a large prayer to memory, we can keep our mind occupied with prayer.
I wanted to memorize some prayers, so I took a tip from the sisters and made my own miniature prayer book. I thought writing out the prayers would help. So I that’s what I did. I keep it in my bag so that I have it wherever I go.
When I’m on the bus or waiting for something I pull it out and read an akathist. It only fits two akasthists and a few other favourite prayers but it is very helpful – mostly because it’s size makes reading the prayers in public somewhat discreet.
You don’t have to hand-write a prayer book, you could simply glue photocopies of prayers in a small book, or keep a larger prayer book with you. The point is to offer our attention – our nous – to God, to make an effort to “pray without ceasing”. I haven’t memorized any akathists yet, but I try to tell myself the point is to pray them, not accomplish something arbitrarily so I can feel self-righteous.
And besides, I love an excuse to try and make something look pretty. Having a notebook filled with prayers and icons and a little calligraphy makes the work worthwhile.
“Be thankful to God that this desire for the Prayer and this facility in it have been manifested in you. It is a natural consequence which follows constant effort and spiritual achievement…. Now you see with what admirable gifts God in His love for mankind has endowed even the bodily nature of man. You see what feelings can be produced even outside a state of grace in a soul which is sinful and with passions unsubdued, as you yourself have experienced. But how wonderful, how delightful and how consoling a thing it is when God is pleased to grant the gift of self-acting spiritual prayer, and to cleanse the soul from all sensuality! It is a condition which is impossible to describe, and the discovery of this mystery of prayer is a foretaste on earth of the bliss of Heaven. Such happiness is reserved for those who seek after God in the simplicity of a loving heart.” (The Way of the Pilgrim – a word from the pilgrim’s spiritual father)
matushka constantina
This is very inspiring! I was about to buy another notebook to work on my next prayer book. I love what you did with yours!
Excellent ideas!
I’m glad you both like the post!
How beautiful! I didn’t know you could do calligraphy too! (: I’ll have to show Father – this is right up his alley. (My handwriting is awful so I’d have to print it out smaller for similar use for me.)
I’m trying to memorize (in a not-so-active way) the small supplicatory canon to the Mother of God. I know that it would be comforting to be able to recite to myself in time of need whenever I’m out and about. If I put a little more effort into it I would do better!
I don’t actually know how to do calligraphy – I just copy what I see. I have a nice book that I look through and then try to imitate what’s on its pages.
I have found it’s easy to remember parts of prayers, but to do them in order without a book is what stumps me. I know most of the prayers for the akathist to the Mother of God but I don’t know the rejoice verses, so then I can’t even do the in between prayers in order.
You would think that being in my third year of a three-year chanting class I’d be better at chanting, but I just learned how to chant the small paraclesis in English to Byzantine melodies this year. I love it very much so I really wanted to learn it but it took me months. (I listened to it everyday in the summer until I could do it by myself without listening to the guy chant it whenever I would get lost).
I wish you good success in your attempt to memorize the paraclesis!
I keep a small notebook in my pocket for prayer requests and to jot down bits of prayers during the day. I usually have a formal prayer or two on a card which I use as a place marker. It has helped me learn prayers as well as keep prayer constant.
what I want to know now is how you made this great little book. It looks amazing.
Chad, that’s a great idea to keep a little book to write down prayer requests. I’ve tried keeping lists of names myself.
I just took my time (and various coloured pens) to make the little book as nice as I could. I’m glad you like it, beauty makes pray easier I think.