Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν. | Kýrie Iisoú Christé, Yié tou Theoú, eléisón me ton amartolón. | prayer text |
| Ευχή του Ιησού | Efchí tou Iisoú | name |
The first form is the name of the prayer and the second is the prayer itself. Greek speakers say λέω την Ευχή του Ιησού (léo tin Efchí tou Iisoú) for "I say the Jesus Prayer".
What does it mean word for word?
Ευχή (efchí) means "prayer" or "wish", and του Ιησού (tou Iisoú) means "of Jesus". The prayer itself means "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner".
How does it change in a sentence?
Ιησού (Iisoú) is the genitive of Ιησούς (Iisoús), the form used after του to mean "of Jesus". In the prayer, Κύριε (Kýrie) and Χριστέ (Christé) are vocative forms used when addressing someone directly.
How do you pronounce it?
The Greek letter χ in Ευχή is a throaty ch as in Scottish "loch". Say the whole name roughly as ef-KHEE too ee-ee-SOO. Κύριε is KEE-ree-eh.
When do people say it?
In Orthodox practice the prayer is repeated many times, often while counting knots on a prayer rope called a κομποσχοίνι (komboschoíni).
Did you know?
- The Greek name Ευχή του Ιησού (Efchí tou Iisoú) literally means "Prayer of Jesus", and the same word ευχή (efchí) also means "wish" in everyday Greek.
Examples in context
- Ο μοναχός λέει την Ευχή του Ιησού.O monachós léei tin Efchí tou Iisoú.The monk says the Jesus Prayer.
- Κάθε βράδυ λέω την Ευχή του Ιησού.Káthe vrády léo tin Efchí tou Iisoú.Every evening I say the Jesus Prayer.
- Η γιαγιά μου κρατάει ένα κομποσχοίνι.I giagiá mou kratáei éna komboschoíni.My grandmother holds a prayer rope.
Example conversation
Nikos asks his grandmother Maria about the prayer rope she is holding.
- NikosΓιαγιά, πες μου τι είναι αυτό.Giagiá, pes mou ti eínai aftó.Grandma, tell me what this is.
- MariaΕίναι ένα κομποσχοίνι.Eínai éna komboschoíni.It is a prayer rope.
- NikosΘέλω να μάθω τι κάνεις με αυτό.Thélo na mátho ti káneis me aftó.I want to know what you do with it.
- MariaΛέω την Ευχή του Ιησού.Léo tin Efchí tou Iisoú.I say the Jesus Prayer.
