Prayer for studies and education

Who is St. Sergius of Radonezh, and why should one order an Akathist?

St. Sergius of Radonezh was a 14th-century Russian saint and the founder of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. As a child, he struggled with learning to read and write, but he fervently prayed to God. One day, he had a miraculous encounter with an elder who offered him prosphora. Through divine grace, the boy received the gift of a sharp memory and understanding, which helped him master wisdom with ease. He later became a great ascetic, miracle worker, and intercessor, offering prayers for those facing difficulties in acquiring knowledge, including spiritual wisdom.

How to Pass Exams and Get Good Grades?

The Akathist to St. Sergius of Radonezh is a special prayer for success in studies and examinations. Orthodox believers turn to him in prayer to help their children pass exams and achieve high grades. Modern education systems are often complex, and not all students cope equally well with their studies. Learning speed, memory, and the ability to process information vary from child to child. Many students require extra lessons, tutoring, and additional support. How can one handle this heavy workload and develop better comprehension skills? Parents can support their children through prayer, asking for divine help in education. This prayer is beneficial not only for passing important exams like the SAT and gaining admission to universities but also for securing a place in a tuition-free program. St. Sergius hears such prayers and helps students succeed in both secular knowledge and the knowledge that is spiritually beneficial for the soul. A heartfelt prayer for a child’s academic success, combined with their personal efforts, can help them overcome learning challenges. Orthodox believers pray to this miracle-working saint, seeking his assistance in education and wisdom.

We pray fervently for exams and studies on Mondays in 3:00, 9:00, 15:00 or 21:00 Moscow time.

O Holy Father Sergius, do not forget us your disciples, and, as one who has boldness toward the Heavenly King, do not overlook those who come in faith and honor you, for as one who is a miracle-worker you can help us.

Pray, Holy Sergius, for us, too, burdened with many and grievous sins, asking for time of repentance, that we may pass unscathed by the temptations of the fearful devils who seek to take our souls, and thus deliver us from eternal torment in order to become heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, together with all the saints who have always pleased the Lord, Who deserves all the glory, honor and worship, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for talents and abilities

We pray to Archangel Michael for enlightenment and finding our vocation in life, especially on Mondays in 2:00, 8:00, 14:00 and 20:00 Moscow time.

O holy and great Archangel of God Michael, first among the angels that stand before the inscrutable and transcendent Trinity, overseer and guardian of the human race, who with thine armies didst crush the head of the most-proud Morning Star in Heaven and dost ever put to shame his evil and cunning on earth, to thee do we flee with faith and to thee we pray with love; be thou an invincible shield and a firm bulwark of the Holy Church and our homeland, protecting them with thy lightning-bearing sword from all enemies, both visible and invisible. Be thou a guardian angel, a most wise counselor and helper of Orthodox Christians, of our country, bringing them from the throne of the King of kings enlightenment and power, joy, peace, and consolation. Be thou the chief captain and companion in arms of our Christ-loving armed forces, crowning them with glory and victory over adversaries, that all who oppose us may know that God and His holy angels are with us. And leave not without thy help and protection, O Archangel of God, also us who glorify thy holy name today; for behold, even though we be great sinners, nevertheless we desire not to perish in our iniquities, but rather to turn to the Lord and be quickened by Him unto good works. Illumine, therefore, our minds with the light of God's countenance, which continually shineth on thy lightning-like forehead, that we may understand what the good and perfect will of God is concerning us, and know all that which we ought to do, and that which we ought to despise and abandon. Strengthen through the Grace of the Lord our weak will and feeble state, that, made firm in the law of the Lord, we may henceforth cease to be tossed to and fro by earthly thoughts and the lusts of the flesh, enticed away, like senseless children, by the quickly-perishing beauties of this world, foolishly forgetting the eternal and heavenly for the sake of the corruptible and earthly. Above all these things, do thou ask for us from on high a true spirit of repentance, unfeigned sorrow before God and contrition for our sins, that we may spend the number of days that remain to us of this transitory life not in gratifying our senses and in slavery to our passions, but in wiping out the evil things we have done by tears of faith and heartfelt contrition, by struggles of purity and holy deeds of mercy. And when the hour of our end and liberation from the bonds of this body of clay draweth nigh, O Archangel of God, leave us not defenseless against the spirits of evil in the upper air, who are accustomed to hinder the ascent of man's soul on high, that guarded by thee we may attain without hindrance those most glorious dwelling-places of Paradise, where there is neither sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting, and be vouchsafed to behold the most radiant countenance of our all-beneficent Lord and Master, fall down with tears at His feet, in joy and compunction shouting aloud: Glory to Thee, our most dear Redeemer, Who, because of Thy great love for us unworthy ones, hast been pleased to send Thine angels in the service of our salvation! Amen.

The undying Psalter

Round-the-Clock Prayerful Protection with the Words of the Ancient Prayer Book of the Old Testament – Psalm 90 from the Psalter.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, ‘The Lord is my refuge,’ and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. ‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.’