Every Sigh Can Be a Prayer

by Arsenie Papacioc

Every Sigh Can Be a Prayer is a compilation of teachings on the spiritual life by the Romanian elder Fr. Arsenie Papacioc. A confessor, man of prayer, and preacher of the Faith who lived up to our times, Fr. Arsenie well understood the trials and complexities of contemporary life. His answer to our weakness and instability is a positive asceticism, based on a “state of awareness of God’s continuous presence.” Fr. Arsenie calls us to a life of watchfulness, of continuous attention: “We must be grateful or present in a state of awareness. That’s why I say that every moment is a taste of eternity and every sigh can be a prayer. This provides much greater benefit than many prayers or prostrations done mechanically.”

Few people live life as fully as did Fr. Arsenie. Before his entry into monasticism at the age of thirty-two, he had been an athlete, artist, chemist, mayor, soldier, and political prisoner. Leaving behind all his worldly success, Fr. Arsenie dedicated himself to Christ as a monk and priest for over sixty years. He spent a total of fourteen years in the infamous Romanian prisons, being arrested over forty times in his life. Prison was a spiritual academy for him, a place where he learned of the intricacies and depths of man’s soul, of the intrigues of the demons, and of God’s presence in the intense suffering he experienced. After his release from prison, he spent a decade in various parishes and monasteries around Romania, bringing people back to the Church and feeding the faithful with his God-inspired wisdom. This book gathers his teachings—the fruits of a long life of prayer, watchfulness, and suffering for Christ—from interviews, talks, and letters. His words are a vigorous call, waking us from our sleep, to a deep engagement in all that we do in our life in Christ.

Genres: Spirituality

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Julia Parsenios · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sorrows and tribulations are the devil’s effective and very dangerous weapons- and even victories. Therefore, don’t sell your precious, unredeemed, and gifted life for nothing to this arrogant enemy of Christ”.

“You should fear not death, but the Resurrection, for how will you await the Resurrection if you run away from the Cross”.

“Wondrous is the time of tribulations if your heart is burning for the Word of Christ”.

[Anastasia Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/5 stars

[Silouan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Once I went for a walk and encountered a beggar who had lost his legs. He expected nothing more nor less than that I pour out my pockets. But I had no money with me. I said to him, "Brother, don't be upset, I don't have anything. But, I give you a warm handshake." He replied, "Oh, Father, no ones ever given me something like this!"
Charity isn't just giving from your wallet or purse. Giving alms is allowing a person to be by your side without chasing him away in thought. When your colleague has a sorrow, you have to know how to comfort him, to put him at ease. You can say a short prayer-"Lord, have mercy on him!" —for the poor to whom you cannot give alms because they're inaccessible. The question is: What is the relation of our heart to the suffering around us?”

[Starboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible life Glory be to God. Love the spiritual wisdom, some aspects about the children, married life and prayer really stuck with me. Waiting for his canonization, may God Grant this and his icon so I can have it in the prayer corner.

Christ is in our Midst ☦️

[Fotini · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I wish to keep this Saint close in my life. If I live to fulfil even the most mere teaching, I would achieved something great. Glory to God for filling the earth with Saints like this.

[Signe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is short synopsis of Elder Arsenie's teaching to various people.

Struggled for awhile with his words and then grace and epiphany came.

He talks a lot about "love" in this work, however the editors have not clarified what "love" means from an Orthodox viewpoint. English has few words to describe many states of human experience with regard to love.

And while he tells people that they should love as God loves, remember this man suffered many episodes in cruel Communist prisons, deprived of freedom and basic necessities by hateful people.

Because this work doesn't give a full Orthodox understanding of that large umbrella English word "love" would recommend this for people who have a better understanding of the Church Fathers.