Prologue in Sermons: May 3

Solitary Prayer

May 3

(On the repose of our Venerable and God-bearing Father Theodosius of the Kiev Caves.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

The Lord says: “But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:6). What do these words of the Lord mean? They mean that we must pray, as much as possible, also in solitude, so as to have closer communion with the Lord, and to spend time at times even away from people, so as not to be entirely scattered in the vanities of the world. Thus also the holy pleasers of God acted, from whom, for your instruction, we shall take examples for you.

The Venerable Theodosius of the Kiev Caves would withdraw during the time of Great Lent into a cave, and there he would shut himself in until Palm Sunday, spending the time in fasting and prayer; and afterward he would come out to the brethren on the Friday of Palm Week and would then remain with the monks, instructing them.

The monks of Palestine also, during Great Lent, would depart from the monasteries into the deserts, and each one, it is said, lived alone, always singing to God. On Palm Sunday the monks would again gather in the monastery, and no one would ask another how he had spent the Fast or what struggles he had undertaken. 

The Venerable Gerasimos and Kyriakos also would withdraw for the entire Fast into the deepest desert; every Sunday they partook of the Holy Mysteries and spent their time in stillness. 

Thus monks often spent their time; but what of ordinary Christians? It is also said of them that some would lay aside every worldly care, leave the cities, and settle in deserts, so as more freely to devote themselves to solitary prayer and contemplation of God, and so as to be further from people who led them into temptation (Menaion Reading, April 25). 

But why do we speak about people? The Lord Himself, our Savior, in the night-time loved to withdraw into solitude for prayerful communion with God His Father.

Therefore, brethren, as you see, the saints practiced solitary prayer and observed it. Practice it also yourselves, “and as often as possible withdraw from the talk and noise of this world into your chamber for the work of the salvation of your soul… And every Christian has a necessary need for his soul to devote several hours each day to solitary prayer and contemplation of God, so as not to be completely scattered in the vanity of this world. Our soul has the same thirst for the daily renewal of its strength through prayer and contemplation as the body has for nourishment through food. And there is no such heavy work, no such complex and burdensome service, from which one ought not and cannot set aside some time for its nourishment by this bread of life. For the salvation of our soul is, of all tasks, the most important task” (Sunday Reading, 1842, No. 6, pp. 43–44).

Therefore, brethren, solitary prayer is also necessary for us. In solitude we can more freely raise our mind to God, and our soul, not disturbed by anyone or anything, becomes purer in solitude, and our mind becomes more ready for prayer. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.