“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.
“They stripped Me of My garments, and put on Me a scarlet robe; they set upon My head a crown of thorns, and gave a reed into My right hand, that I may shatter them in pieces like a potter’s vessels.” “I gave My back to scourgings, and turned Read more…
When You, O God, stood before Caiaphas, and thought being the Judge, You were given over to Pilate, the Heavenly Powers were shaken with fear. Then lifted upon the wood between two robbers, You the sinless On, were numbered with the transgressors, in order to save mankind. O Most forbearing Lord, glory Read more…
Thus says the Lord to the Judeans: “O My people, what have I done to you, or wherein have I wearied You? To your blind I gave light; your lepers I cleansed; your paralytic I raised up. O My people; what I have done for you, and how have you Read more…
Peter having denied You three times, straightway called the words You said to him, but he brought to You tears of repentance, saying: “God have mercy on me; and save me.” ~7th Antiphon, 12 Gospels, Holy Thursday Evening, Trans. by Fr. George Papadeas Then Jesus said to them, “You will Read more…
While permitting the lawless men to seize You, O Lord, You thus declared: “Though you strike down the Shepherd, and scatter the twelve sheep, My Disciples, yet I could have summoned more than twelve legions of Angels by My side; but I forbear, so that the unknown and secret things, Read more…
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for Read more…
They set the thirty pieces of silver, as the price of the Priceless One, on Whom they, of the children of Israel had set a price. Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation! The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Therefore, watch! ~9th Antiphon, The 12 Gospels, Holy Read more…
Today, Judas is vigilant as to how he can deliver up the Lord, the Savior of the world before all ages, Who with five loaves satisfied the multitude. Today, the transgressor denies the Teacher; becoming a Disciple, He betrays the Master. He sold for silver, the One, Who satisfied His people Read more…
Receive me today, O Son of God, as a partaker of Your Mystical Supper; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Your enemies; nor will I kiss You as did Judas; but as the thief I confess You. “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” ~Communion Read more…
Initiating Your disciples, O Lord, You instructed them, saying, “O my friends, see that no fear separates you from Me. Although I suffer, yet I do so for the sake of the world. So do not fall away because of Me; for I came not to be served but to Read more…
While the glorious Disciples were being illumined at the washing of the feet during the Supper, then, too, did Judas the ungodly one, succumb to darkness, being sick with avarice. And he delivered You, the righteous Judge, to lawless judges. Look here, O lover of money, and see the one Read more…
Jesus said “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their Read more…