Russian Orthodox Church. Moscow Patriarchate.
Library of missionary literature in various languages.
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Rules of Сhristian life

Compiled by the schema-abbot of the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery Savva [Ostapenko] (1898–1980)

  1. Upon waking up you in bed, first of all, remember God and place the sign of the cross on you.
  2. Do not start your day without a prayer rule.
  3. Throughout the whole day, anywhere and in any task you do, turn your mind to God in short prayers.
  4. Prayers are the wings of a soul, they make the soul the throne of God. All the power of spiritual people lies in their prayers.
  5. For God to hear your prayer, you need to pray not with the tip of your tongue, but with your heart.
  6. Let none of those around you be left in the morning without your sincere greetings.
  7. Do not give up praying when the enemy makes you feel insensitive. He who forces himself to pray with a callous soul is superior to the one who prays with tears.
  8. You need to know the New Testament with your mind and with your heart, learn from it constantly; Do not interpret anything you don't understand yourself but ask holy fathers for clarification.
  9. Take holy water praying for the sanctification of your soul and body - do not forget to drink it.
  10. Pray with the greetings of gratitude to the Queen of Heaven - “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice...” often, if possible every hour or even more often.
  11. In your free time, read the writings of holy fathers and teachers of spiritual life.
  12. In temptations and adversities, read the Psalter and the prayer canon to the Most Holy Theotokos “We are kept in adversity by many...” for she is our only Intercessor.