Prayer of St. Chrysostom

27Jan
My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and my heart shall meditate on understanding.

-Psalm 49:3


Today is the Feast Day of St. John Chrysostom. To many, he may be just another Saint in the litany of Saints celebrated by the greater church. However, St. Chrysostom has a particularly special place in my heart and possibly the hearts of others who are familiar with our Evening Prayer liturgy of the Prayer Book. If you can, turn to page 126 of your Book of Common Prayer and look at the top of the page. If you can’t access a hard copy, I have included the prayer as the closing prayer of this meditation


The reason why this prayer is so special to me is that we use this prayer during our daily chapels at Trinity School. Everyday it is recited at the conclusion of our prayers and I would be willing to bet that it is engrained on the majority of our students. 


It is interesting to say, but the Prayer of St. Chrysostom is heard by our students more than the Lord’s Prayer or our Trinity School Prayer. These two prayers are recited on a daily rotation while the Prayer of St. Chrysostom is recited everyday. For our School community, I believe the words are the perfect way to frame the day ahead. I believe it provides comfort in the truth that God is in control - and that God deeply knows our hearts and spirits.  


I pray you find comfort in the Prayer of St. Chrysostom this day. Meditate on the words as you bring your own prayers and petitions before our Almighty. Trust that God is in your midst and that God is helping your life unfold in the exact way that it should. Rest in the knowledge of God’s truth and may you find opportunities to share that truth with those around you. 



Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.


-A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Saints

Posted by The Reverend Robert B. Hadzor

Bobby has served as the chaplain of Trinity Episcopal School since 2012 and as an Assisting Priest of Trinity Episcopal Church since 2018. He grew up in Dallas, Pennsylvania before moving to Franklin, Tennessee as a teenager. He attended Belmont University in Nashville where he graduated (2007) with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a minor in Philosophy.

Bobby attended Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina where he graduated (2010) with a Masters of Divinity and an Anglican Studies Certificate from Duke Divinity’s Anglican House of Studies. During his time in seminary, he joined the Episcopal Church and was confirmed (2009) at St. Joseph's Episcopal in Durham, North Carolina by then Bishop of North Carolina, The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry.

Following his work in seminary, Bobby moved to Boston where he worked for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. He spent a year working with the interfaith communities throughout the greater Boston area and raised awareness on topics pertaining to social justice issues. He was a faithful member of Boston's "Common Cathedral", an outdoor church that met in the Boston Common and served those experiencing homelessness in the city.

In 2011, Bobby moved to New Orleans and undertook a year of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE Certification) at East Jefferson General Hospital. While serving at EJGH, he became a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. In 2012, he began his Discernment for Ordained Ministry in the Diocese of Louisiana. In 2014, Bobby joined St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Metairie where he continued his spiritual growth and discernment process under the mentorship of The Very Reverend A.J. Heine, Jr.

Bobby was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on May 17, 2017, at St. Augustine’s. Later that year, Bobby was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests at Trinity Episcopal Church during a special school-day service that included the entire student body of Trinity Episcopal School.

Bobby married his wife Julie on January 6, 2018, at Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans. Julie currently works for Tulane University’s Campus Planning Office. Bobby and Julie are avid travelers and are frequently planning, or preparing, for their next adventure in the world. They have made their home in New Orleans and enjoy participating in the numerous events of the city, including their favorite event of the year, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

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