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Holy Silence Blog
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The Greatness of Prayer!
The greatness of prayer lies in its Essence as divine presence and Divine glorification. The greatness of prayer is Defined by God's limitless love and Willingness to be present in and near us. The greatness of prayer transcends our unworthiness: Through Christ's redemptive work and the Spirit's sanctifying work. The greatness of prayer is a transfiguring act, if We have a deep desire for God's presence, and when We have a real desire to be present with Him. The greatness of

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 21, 20251 min read


Holy Spirit Mondays: Heavenly Armies and You
Each week I send a short email to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. If you have a question or a prayer request, please reach out here . Read : "In the Holy Spirit is universal dominion, which the armies in heaven worship, as does every breathing being on earth' (Matins, Antiphon 3, 16 November 2025). Ponder: Take note of the second phrase. The heavenly armies worship God. Think about such an awe-inspiring occurrence: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Powers,

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 17, 20251 min read


St. Hugh of Lincoln: Please Pray!
Intercede for me and pray for my spiritual sons and daughters so that we may have a stable foundation of deep prayer and a ministry of healing the afflicted. Please keep me close so that I may have strength to walk with everyone who comes for confession and spiritual guidance. Thank you for guiding me during the earliest days of my life. You have always exemplified for me a life of contemplative prayer and servant leadership. A depiction of St. Hugh of Lincoln.

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 16, 20251 min read


Heal, Go to Confession (Homily)
As we begin the Nativity Fast, we are reminded to avail ourselves of the sacrament of confession. Why? While all the Sacraments, especially Eucharist, draw us back to the Lord, Confession specifically roots out the small, simple, insidious thoughts, words, and deeds that lead us down a path of distraction, bad choices, and long-lived maladies that cause us long term, if not eternal, suffering. So, let us together, look forward to the coming of our Lord who wills that each of

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 16, 20251 min read


St. Gregory Palamas: Please Pray!
Intercede for me and pray for my spiritual sons and daughters so that we may have a stable foundation of deep prayer and a ministry of healing the afflicted. Please keep me close so that I may have strength to walk with everyone who comes for confession and spiritual guidance. Thank you for teaching me about essence, energies, uncreated light, and the Jesus Prayer. I am especially grateful for your wise and holy counsel because it gave me a pathway to explain the divinely ins

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 14, 20251 min read


St. Frances Xavier Cabrini: Please Pray!
Intercede for me and pray for my spiritual sons and daughters so that we may have a stable foundation of deep prayer and a ministry of healing the afflicted. Please keep me close so that I may have strength to walk with everyone who comes for confession and spiritual guidance. Thank you for loving, guiding, and inspiring my grandmother, Concetta. A photograph of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 13, 20251 min read


Holy Spirit Mondays: Giver of Life
Each week I send a short email to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. If you have a question or a prayer request, please reach out here . Read : "It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63). Ponder: In John 6:56, Jesus declared that "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." Some of the disciples, like many people today, either did not understa

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 10, 20251 min read


Life, Suffering and Angels that Speak (Homily)
Today, we are reminded that life can be beautiful and glorious because God created it. But there is a lot of suffering in it too ... emotionally, intellectually, physically, relationally, and spiritually. To help us through the suffering, God sends us people who can help us find patience and gracious love in the difficulty. He also sends us angels and saints who speak to us and show us the way to God who reminds us ... 'I am speaking to you in prayer, I am leading you in Spir

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 9, 20251 min read


St. Nektarios: Please Pray!
Intercede for me and pray for my spiritual sons and daughters so that we may have a stable foundation of deep prayer and a ministry of healing the afflicted. Please keep me close so that I may have strength to walk with everyone who comes for confession and spiritual guidance. Thank you for your example of humility in the face of great difficulty. An icon depicting St. Nektarios of Pentapolis.

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 9, 20251 min read


Why Do We Pray?
We talk a lot about praying, but why do we do it? Prayer Brings Us Close to the Holy Spirit "Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance, suppresses anger, restrains pride and envy, draws down the Holy Spirit into the soul and raises man to heaven" (St Ephraim the Syrian, in Moore, Orthodox Prayer , p. 22). Prayer Keeps Us Steady "Hold on to the staff of prayer and you will not fall. And even a fall will not be fatal, since prayer is a devout, persistent coercin

Fr. Thomas Colyandro
Nov 8, 20252 min read
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