By Kay Pappas - When we remodeled our home, we were able to design and build a Prayer Room. What a blessed decision that was! It has been a joy for Stephan and me and all who have come to live or stay with us from time to time, and even for those attending dinners or parties that we host!
On the main wall as you enter the Prayer Room, hang the central icons in a way that mimic the iconostasis in the Orthodox church. On the right is Christ, St. John the Baptist, and St. Eustratios (Stephan’s Patron Saint). On the left is the Mother of God (Theotokos), the Patron Saints of our Churches in Cheyenne (Saints Constantine and Helen and Holy Apostles), and St. Kalliope (Kay’s Patron Saint). There is a prayer shelf with small icons, printed prayers, small candles and holy water. A pendant light hangs above this icon wall and stays lit at all times!
On one of the side walls, we also have icons of the patron Saints of our children, grandson, godchildren, godparents, parents, and spiritual father; that we offer our prayers to, seeking their intercessions.
Through the years, we have added many other icons of Saints that have touched our lives, or we feel close to. On another wall, we have icons of some of the feasts days of our Lord and the Mother of God. Icons in our Prayer Room or Prayer Corner help us to stay focused on our prayers. The Lord and the Saints are present in the icons and pray with and for us. There is an area to pray for the souls of those we know who have passed through this life into the next life. Here is displayed funeral prayer cards, newspaper obituaries and photos of those who have fallen asleep.
Included in this room, are a bookshelf with Orthodox books and a chair for reading them; and a small desk where the Orthodox Study Bible and small censer are kept. Our Prayer Room is used for our home blessing services and most recently was used for the naming service for our new grandson.
Our Prayer Room is also a witness for those guests who venture into it while at a dinner or party we are hosting. They may often have questions about the icons and our faith, or say they feel the peace of God while in there; or are inspired to have one in their homes. What a blessed privilege it is for us to share our Holy Orthodox Faith with them.
Setting aside an area in your home to study the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Saints and to pray and be silent in the presence of Christ, the Theotokos, and the Saints, will be instrumental in living your Orthodox Faith and will bring you much joy in the Lord!
Setting up a Prayer Corner in your home is a very useful and simple way to bring Christ into your life and offer glory and thanksgiving. To learn more about Orthodox Christianity, contact us!
