Two-day conference on prayer in the orthodox tradition at the Metropolis of Austria

On the weekend of August 22–23, 2026, a two-day conference on the theme of prayer in the Orthodox tradition was held as part of the internal mission activities of the Holy Exarchate of Hungary.

A group of pilgrims from Budapest, led by Economos Joseph Ötvös, traveled to the Holy Monastery of the Holy Protection and Saint Paisios the Hagiorite in Sankt Andrä am Zicksee. There they were welcomed by Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria and Exarch of Hungary, who, as part of the conference, spoke on the meaning of prayer according to the tradition of the Church, with a talk specifically titled “Noetic Prayer in the Tradition of Our Church.”

The pilgrims had the opportunity to hear the talk, take part in the daily and nightly liturgical services observed at the Monastery, and converse with the fathers, thereby deepening their understanding of the Orthodox tradition.

The Metropolitan spoke of the twofold dimension of prayer as both a personal and a communal act. He referred to the teaching of Holy Scripture and the Church Fathers, with particular mention of the hesychast tradition. He explained to the faithful that the Orthodox Church recognizes two forms of prayer: that which each…