“The Prayer Team” is a daily devotion written by Fr. Stavros N. Akrotirianakis, written every day since February 2015. Fr. Stavros is the Parish Priest at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa, Florida. It began in February 2015 as an opportunity to write more on the subject of prayer and now has branched into other subjects.
The noble Joseph taking down from the Cross Your spotless Body, enwrapped It in clean linen with aromas, and laid It for burial in a new Tomb. ~Apolytikion, Descent from the Cross, Good Friday afternoon, Trans. by Fr. George Papadeas And when evening had come, since it was the Read more…
It was wondrous to behold the Maker of Heaven and Earth hanging on the Cross; to see the sun darkened, the day changing again into night, and the Earth giving up bodies of the dead from their graves. With them, we worship You, Save us, O Lord. 9th Hour, Royal Hours, Good Read more…
You ransomed us from the curse of the Law by Your precious Blood; You have shed forth immortality upon mankind by being nailed to the Cross and pierced with a spear. O Savior of us all, glory to You. ~Kathisma, 15th Antiphon, 12 Gospels, Holy Thursday Evening, Trans. by Fr. George Papadeas Read more…
Because of a tree, Adam was estranged from Paradise; because of the wood of the Cross, the thief abode in Paradise; for the former, in tasting, disobeyed the commandment of the Creator; but the latter, who was crucified with You, confessed, admitting to You the concealed God. O Savior; remember Read more…
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as Read more…
After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, “Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.” In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a Read more…
For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I will proclaim Thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise Thee.” And again, “I will put My trust Read more…
All creation, O Christ, beholding Your Crucifixion, trembled. The foundations of the earth were shaken for dread of Your might; the lights of the firmament went into hiding; the veil of the Temple was rent; the mountains quaked; and the rocks burst asunder, as the believing thief cries out with Read more…
You, O Lord Who on the same day, made the thief worthy of Paradise, illuminate me also by the wood of the Cross, and save me. ~Exapostelarion, 12 Gospels, Holy Thursday Evening, Trans. by Fr. George Papadeas — One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, “Are Read more…
Today is hung upon the Cross, He Who suspended the earth amid the waters. (3). A crown of thorns crowns Him, Who is the King of angels. He, Who wrapped the heavens in clouds, is clothed with the purple of mockery. He, Who freed Adam in the Jordan, received buffetings. He Read more…
And when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him Read more…
And, “Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands; they will perish, but Thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But Thou art the Read more…