wfn.org | 'Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer' coming early 2011

["Philip Jenks" <pjenks@ncccusa.org>]

An ancient Christian prayer of meditation

will be highlighted in film and book early 2011

>     "Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer"

New York, July 1, 2010 -- A little known 2000-year-old Christian prayer,  still 
used by monks and nuns in far away caves and monasteries, is the  subject of a 
documentary feature film and book slated for early 2011.

Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer focuses on the prayer, Kyrie Eleison  ("Lord Have 
mercy") that is thought to have been first practiced by the  Apostles.

Traveling with cameras and crews to ancient lands of peace and solitude,  the 
Very Rev. Dr. John McGuckin, Ane Marie and Bent Emil Nielsen  Professor of 
Byzantine Christian Studies, Union Theological  Seminary/Columbia University, 
and Dr. Norris J. Chumley, a media  producer and columnist for Beliefnet, 
visited hermits, priests and nuns  in caves and monasteries to record their use 
of this ancient mystical  prayer.

Their film and companion book from HarperOne retraces their steps and  beyond, 
bringing the wisdom of both ancient saints and modern Christian  sages to 
worldwide audiences.

The film and book begin with a visit to St. Anthony's in Upper Egypt,  the 
oldest existing monastery on earth, where Father Lazarus explains  what the 
prayer is and how to use it. The authors' voyage continues to  St. Catherine's 
monastery, in existence near Mt. Sinai since the fifth  century, and to 
monastic communities in Eastern Europe, Romania, Ukraine  and Russia.

The ancient prayer has been passed down through generations. Initially  recited 
verbally, it was ultimately written in obscure instruction  manuals intended 
only for monks. It was kept in secret, only to be  revealed as part of a 
dedicated life of isolation. Some spiritual  counselors advise using it only 
with the help of a disciplines guide, in  the context of a life devoted to 
monasticism. Others say anyone can use  it.

The Jesus Prayer has great power. It is available in short form, long  form, 
and with multiple variations. The documentary feature film and  companion book 
from HarperOne, Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer, will  introduce this prayer 
taught directly by Christian spiritual masters  early next year so that anyone 
can use it at any time and in any place.

Look for the book and film around Easter 2011. Mysteries of the Jesus  Prayer 
(http://www.mysteriesofthejesusprayer.com)is a production of  Magnetic Arts, 
LLC, New York, The film is a not-for-profit project of  the Hartley Film 
Foundation.

Serving on the Advisory Board of the project are Nikki Stephanopoulos, a  
member of the National Council of Churches Governing Board and NCC  
Communication Commission, and her husband, Father Robert  
Stephanopoulos.                       

Since its founding in 1950, the National Council of the Churches of  Christ in 
the USA has been the leading force for ecumenical cooperation  among Christians 
in the United States. The NCC's 36 member faith groups  - from a wide spectrum 
of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical,  historic African American and 
Living Peace churches - include 45 million  persons in more than 100,000 local 
congregations in communities across  the nation.

>For more information see: www.ncccusa.org

NCC News contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228 (office),  646-853-4212 
(cell), pjenks@ncccusa.org