Introduction
Popular in Greek monastic circles, this poetic folk song is sometimes sung by monks and nuns before they begin noetic prayer, specifically the repetition of "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." No one knows who the author is or when it was written, but it doesn't look too old. Though the reference in the song to Sinai is not meant to refer to the actual location of Sinai, it may indicate that it has its origins in Sinai.
The poem itself is a spiritual guide to Noetic Prayer, expressed through the image of ascending Mount Sinai. The word Noetic comes from nous (νοῦς), which in Orthodox theology is not just the intellect or mind, but the highest faculty of man — the part of a person that can directly perceive and commune with God after being purified and illumined.
It begins with the biblical image of leaving Egypt — symbolizing freedom from sin and worldly slavery — and following Moses to Sinai, which represents the journey toward union with God. The desire to “ascend Sinai” reflects the soul’s longing to reach a higher, holy state through prayer.
The core of the poem teaches how to practice Noetic Prayer:
- it requires obedience, Scripture, silence, and withdrawal from worldly distractions
- it begins outwardly (spoken) and gradually becomes interior (noetic), rooted in the heart
- it demands attention and watchfulness, avoiding imagination and delusion
- it brings spiritual struggle, especially against temptation
At the same time, it emphasizes the fruit of the prayer:
- deep sweetness, joy, and spiritual nourishment
- an experience that cannot be fully explained because it is a divine mystery
The poem also highlights the need for:
- guidance from a spiritual elder
- protection and discernment once the prayer begins to work within
- the role of the Mother of God, who blesses and helps those seeking this prayer
Overall, it presents Noetic Prayer as a lifelong ascent — a disciplined but grace-filled path that leads from struggle to inner transformation and communion with God.
Below is the original Greek song with a video to show the tone the song is sung, then this is followed by two different translations, the first more literal and in the second literalness is exchanged for the rhythm and flow of the original Greek that is easier to sing.
The poem itself is a spiritual guide to Noetic Prayer, expressed through the image of ascending Mount Sinai. The word Noetic comes from nous (νοῦς), which in Orthodox theology is not just the intellect or mind, but the highest faculty of man — the part of a person that can directly perceive and commune with God after being purified and illumined.
It begins with the biblical image of leaving Egypt — symbolizing freedom from sin and worldly slavery — and following Moses to Sinai, which represents the journey toward union with God. The desire to “ascend Sinai” reflects the soul’s longing to reach a higher, holy state through prayer.
The core of the poem teaches how to practice Noetic Prayer:
- it requires obedience, Scripture, silence, and withdrawal from worldly distractions
- it begins outwardly (spoken) and gradually becomes interior (noetic), rooted in the heart
- it demands attention and watchfulness, avoiding imagination and delusion
- it brings spiritual struggle, especially against temptation
At the same time, it emphasizes the fruit of the prayer:
- deep sweetness, joy, and spiritual nourishment
- an experience that cannot be fully explained because it is a divine mystery
The poem also highlights the need for:
- guidance from a spiritual elder
- protection and discernment once the prayer begins to work within
- the role of the Mother of God, who blesses and helps those seeking this prayer
Overall, it presents Noetic Prayer as a lifelong ascent — a disciplined but grace-filled path that leads from struggle to inner transformation and communion with God.
Below is the original Greek song with a video to show the tone the song is sung, then this is followed by two different translations, the first more literal and in the second literalness is exchanged for the rhythm and flow of the original Greek that is easier to sing.
Η Νοερά Προσευχή
«Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ Υιέ του Θεού ελέησόν με»
«Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ Υιέ του Θεού ελέησόν με»
Έφυγα ἀπ’ τὸ Φαραῷ τῆς Αἰγύπτου τῇ σκλαβιά,
μ’ ἀρχηγό τὸ Μωυσῆ ἔφθασα ὡς τὸ Σινά.
Στο Σινά νᾷ ἀνεβώ ὧ! πολὺ τὸ ἐπιθυμῶ,
στην Ἁγία κορυφὴ καὶ νᾷ λέω τὴν εὐχή.
Ἡ ἀνάβασις σκληρή, Θεὲ μου δὸς μου ὑπομονή,
καρτερία κ’ ἀντοχή, ν’ αποκτήσω τὴν εὐχή.
Πρῶτα ἡ ὑπακοή, ἡ Γραφὴ καὶ τὸ κελί,
ἡ ἁγία σιωπὴ δυναμώνουν τὴν εὐχή.
Τὴν εὐχὴ για νᾷ τῇ λες πρέπει ἀπὸ τὸ μυαλό
νᾷ πετάξεις μακριά κάθε πρᾶγμα κοσμικό.
Στην ἀρχὴ τὴν εὐχὴ νᾷ τῇ λες προφορικὰ
κὶ ὕστερα ἀπὸ καιρό θα σου γίνει νοερά.
Καὶ στα λόγια τῆς εὐχῆς νᾷ ναΐ ὄλῃ ἡ προσοχή,
γιατί ὅταν φανταστείς κίνδυνος νᾷ πλανηθείς.
Τὸν πειράζοντα πολὺ ἐρεθίζει ἡ εὐχὴ
καὶ γι’ αὑτὸ μὴν πτοηθεὶς ὅταν σου επιτεθεί.
Ἀπ’ τὸ δέντρο τῆς εὐχῆς βγαίνουνε καρποὶ γλυκεῖς.
Ὧ! τι μέλι είν’ αὑτὸ δεν μπορείς νᾷ φανταστείς.
Ἡ εὐχὴ πὼς ἐνεργεῖ μὴν ζητάς νᾷ σου τὸ πω,
δεν μπορώ νᾷ εκφραστώ εἷναι Θεῖο μυστικό.
Ὅταν ᾔδεις τὴν εὐχὴ μέσα σου νᾷ ἐνεργεῖ
φρούρησέ τὴν ἓ καλὰ με ἐπιγνώσῃ πολλή.
Γέροντα μου σεβαστέ, Μωυσῆ μου νοητὲ
ἐλᾷ δὸς μου μία εὐχὴ ν’ αποκτήσω τὴν εὐχή.
Ἡ Μητέρα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, Ἡγουμένη Μυστική,
εὐλογεῖ τοὺς Μοναχοὺς καὶ τοὺς δίνει τὴν εὐχή.
Στο Σινά νᾷ ανεβώ ὧ! Πολὺ τὸ ἐπιθυμῶ,
στην Ἁγία Κορυφὴ καὶ νᾷ λέω τὴν εὐχή.
Noetic Prayer
(literal)
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me."
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me."
I fled from Pharaoh of Egypt, from slavery,
and with Moses as my guide I came to Sinai.
O that I might ascend Sinai—how deeply I long for it—
to the holy summit, and there to say the Prayer.
The ascent is hard; my God, grant me patience,
endurance and strength, that I may gain the Prayer.
First comes obedience, the Scripture, and the cell;
holy silence strengthens the Prayer.
If you would say the Prayer, you must
cast far from your mind every worldly thing.
At first you say the Prayer aloud,
and after some time it becomes noetic, within the mind.
Let all your attention be upon the words of the Prayer,
for when imagination enters, you are in danger of delusion.
The tempter is greatly stirred by the Prayer,
so do not be shaken when he attacks you.
From the tree of the Prayer come forth sweet fruits—
O what honey it is! You cannot imagine it.
Do not ask me how the Prayer works;
I cannot express it—it is a divine mystery.
When you perceive the Prayer working within you,
guard it well, with great discernment.
My venerable elder, my spiritual Moses,
come—give me a blessing, that I may acquire the Prayer.
The Mother of Christ, the mystical Abbess,
blesses the monks and grants them the Prayer.
O that I might ascend Sinai—how deeply I long for it—
to the holy summit, and there to say the Prayer.
Noetic Prayer
(chant-friendly)
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me."
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me."
From Pharaoh’s yoke in Egypt’s land I fled away from chains,
With Moses as my guide I came to Sinai’s heights and plains.
To Sinai let me climb—O how my heart is filled with fire—
To reach the holy peak above and pray as I desire.
The climb is hard—O God, give strength, give patience from above,
Endurance grant, that I may gain the Prayer I seek and love.
Obedience first, the Scriptures next, the stillness of the cell,
In holy silence is the Prayer made strong and rooted well.
If you would learn to say the Prayer, then cast from mind and heart
All worldly thoughts and earthly cares—let every one depart.
At first you speak the Prayer aloud, with lips and voice it flows,
But with the years it enters deep—the heart within it knows.
Let all your mind attend the words, keep watch with careful eye,
For wandering thoughts and fantasies can lead the soul awry.
The tempter is provoked by this—he rages at the Prayer,
So do not fear when he draws near, nor fall into despair.
From this fair tree of sacred Prayer sweet fruits abundant grow—
O honey rich beyond all thought, no tongue can fully show!
Ask not of me how this is worked—I cannot make it plain,
It is a mystery divine, beyond all human brain.
When once you feel the Prayer within alive and working strong,
Then guard it well with watchful care your whole life long.
My elder dear, my Moses true, come grant to me your aid,
Bestow on me the blessed Prayer for which my heart has prayed.
The Mother of our Lord Most High, the Abbess ever true,
She blesses those who seek her Son and grants the Prayer to you.
To Sinai let me climb—O how my heart is filled with fire—
To reach the holy peak above and pray as I desire.
