As you sip your Monday morning coffee and prepare for your week, I offer you the following prayer for reflection:
A Prayer from Sunrise Service - St. Nerses Shnorhali the Gracious (1102-1173) Oh Lord, make our goings aright in the ways of peace. Oh Lord, direct and guide our souls and the souls of all the faithful to walk in the way of righteousness and into eternal life.
Տէ՛ր, ուղղեա՛ զգնացս մեր ի ճանապարհս խաղաղութեան. Տէ՛ր, ուղղեա՛ եւ առաջնորդեա՛ հոգւոց մերոց եւ ամենայն հաւատացելոց գնալ յարդարութեան ճանապարհն եւ ի կեանսն յաւիտենից:
This prayer, written by St. Nerses Shnorhali the Gracious, is part of the Sunrise Service. However, until I went to Seminary, it never crossed my mind that anyone other than my grandmother was responsible for writing this prayer. When we were children, she would have us recite this prayer as we were leaving our home in the morning. It was her way of making sure we had the cloak of God’s protection and guidance around us as we ventured out into each new, unknown day. Imagine my surprise when I first heard this prayer read at the Sunrise Service in Seminary! Though I had to adjust to the fact that my grandmother did not actually pen this prayer, it has always stayed with me; the simple, deeply heartfelt prayer of guidance as we set forth into the world each new day.
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St. Nerses Shnorhali the Gracious was a uniquely gifted and prolific Armenian writer, composer and theologian; an inspirational and faithful leader who immeasurably enriched our Armenian liturgical life.
To learn more about St. Nerses Shnorhali the Gracious, please visit: https://shnorhali.com/
Let us remain faithful, mindful and spiritually strong, as we stand together in the face of this pandemic.
Prayerfully yours,
Father Oshagan