Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this rare audio recording, St. Sophrony of Essex (+ 11 July 1993) answers a common question: why do we repeat "Lord have mercy" so many times in the Orthodox Church? He explains that these repetitions aren't just mechanical, but a way to help our prayer become like fire in the heart. He also talks about the "Our Father" and how saying it truly even once can change a person's whole life.
Essex Monastery, October 15th, 1990
English translation adapted after the Romanian version of Fr. Rafail Noica, Cuvantari Duhovnicesti II (9).
Read the English transcript of this video here: otelders.org/theology-and-spirituality/why-repeat-the-jesus-prayer-st-sophrony-the-athonite
This video has English and Romanian subtitles. Press the CC button to switch them on or off. Watch this quick-guide on how to turn on captions on your device: youtu.be/if7eELuaYtI
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In this rare audio recording, St. Sophrony of Essex (+ 11 July 1993) answers a common question: why do we repeat "Lord have mercy" so many times in the Orthodox Church? He explains that these repetitions aren't just mechanical, but a way to help our prayer become like fire in the heart. He also talks about the "Our Father" and how saying it truly even once can change a person's whole life.
Essex Monastery, October 15th, 1990
English translation adapted after the Romanian version of Fr. Rafail Noica, Cuvantari Duhovnicesti II (9).
Read the English transcript of this video here: otelders.org/theology-and-spirituality/why-repeat-the-jesus-prayer-st-sophrony-the-athonite
This video has English and Romanian subtitles. Press the CC button to switch them on or off. Watch this quick-guide on how to turn on captions on your device: youtu.be/if7eELuaYtI
Subscribe for new videos every week: tinyurl.com/subscribe-otelders
๐ Don't forget to click the bell icon to get new video updates! ๐
Watch the NEWEST videos: youtube.com/otelders/videos
Connect with otelders (Orthodox Teaching of the Elders):
Website: otelders.org
Facebook: facebook.com/otelders
Instagram: instagram.com/otelders
TikTok: tiktok.com/@otelders
