Before we receive Holy Communion, it is very important that
we prepare through prayer, fasting, and going to
Confession.
We should only receive Holy Communion with full awareness of our unworthiness
of such a great privilege! We should approach the Cup with sense of the
awesomeness of God and His great Love for us.
The following is the entire set of Canons and prayers to be said prior to
receiving Holy Communion. Many people will begin their preparation on
Wednesday or Thursday prior to receiving Holy Communion on Sunday. The Three
Canons are often prayed together, and are presented here in the format for
praying in that manner.
The Office of Preparation for Holy Communion is usually chanted in
conjunction with Compline on the evening prior to Holy Communion. Sometimes,
however, the first part of the Office may be chanted at Compline, and the
Prayers themselves read silently to oneself on the morning prior to going
to Church or even at the Church before or during the Hours.
Office of Preparation for Holy Communion
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ
our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
 O Heavenly King, the
Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things,
Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: Come and abide in us, and cleanse us
from every impurity, and
save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on
us. (x 3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
O Lord, cleanse us from our sins.
O Master, pardon our iniquities.
O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord's Prayer
Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we
forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from the evil one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy (x 12)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O come let us worship God our King.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ our
King and God.
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ
Himself, our King and God.
Psalm 22
The Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall not want. In a place of
green pasture, there hath He made me to dwell; beside the water of
rest hath He nurtured me. He hath converted my soul, He hath led
me on the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. For though
I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they have
comforted me. Thou hast prepared a table before me in the
presence of them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with
oil, and Thy cup which filleth me, how excellent it is! And Thy
mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in
the house of the Lord unto length of days.
Psalm 23
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof, the world, and
all that dwell therein. He hath founded it upon the seas, and upon
the rivers hath he prepared it. Who shall ascend into the mountain
of the Lord, Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that is
innocent in hands and pure in heart, who hath not received his soul
in vain, and hath not sworn deceitfully to his neighbour. Such a
one shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his
Saviour. This is the generation of them that seek the face of the
God of Jacob. Lift up your gates, O ye princes; and be ye lifted up,
ye everlasting gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in. Who is
this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty
in war. Lift up your gates, O ye princes; and be ye lifted up, ye
everlasting gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in. Who is the
King of Glory? The Lord of hosts. He is the King of Glory.
Psalm 15
I believed, wherefore I spake; I was humbled exceedingly. As
for me, I said in mine ecstasy: Every man is a liar. What shall I
render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me? I will
take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
My vows unto the Lord will I pay in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. O Lord,
I am Thy servant; I am Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaid.
Thou hast broken my bonds asunder. I will sacrifice a sacrifice of
praise unto Thee, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. My
vows unto the Lord will I pay in the presence of all His people, in
the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of thee O
Jerusalem.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory
to Thee, O God (x 3 with metania)
Lord, have mercy. (x 3)
Troparia
(Tone 8)
O Lord, born of a Virgin, regard not my transgressions; cleanse Thou my heart, and
make of it a temple, for Thy most pure Body and Blood. Cast me not away from Thy
presence, Thou Who hast mercy without measure.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
How dare I take of Thy Hallowed Things,
unworthy as I am,
for if I make bold to draw near unto Thee
among them that are worthy, and it appeareth that I have no
wedding garment, I do but procure the condemnation of my most
sinful soul: cleanse my defiled soul, O Lord, and save me, for Thou art
the lover of mankind.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Great is the multitude of my transgressions, O Theotokos:
unto thee I have recourse seeking salvation: visit my soul in my
infirmity, and pray to Thy Son our God
to grant me remission of my evil deeds,
Thou who alone art Blessed.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and
according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my
transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and
cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is
ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil
before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and
prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in
iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou
hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast
Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop,
and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me and I shall be made
whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness;
the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away
from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean
heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away
from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore
unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit
establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly
shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O
God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy
righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt declare Thy praise. For if Thou
hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings
Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit;
a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good,
O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of
Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice
of righteousness, with oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then
shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
The Canon of Preparation for Holy Communion
(Tone 2)
Ode I
Eirmos: Come, O ye people, let us sing a hymn to Christ our
God, Who divided the sea and guided the people whom He brought
out of the bondage of Egypt, for He is glorified.
Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit
within me.
May Thy Holy Body be unto me the Bread of life eternal, O
Compassionate Lord, and Thy precious Blood be also the healing
of many forms of illness.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy
Spirit from me.
Defiled by unseemly deeds, I the wretched one am unworthy,
O Christ, of the communion of Thy most pure Body and divine
blood, which do Thou vouchsafe me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O blessed Bride of God, O good soil that grew the Corn
untilled and saving to the world, vouchsafe me to be saved by
eating it.
Ode III
Eirmos: By establishing me on the rock of faith, Thou hast
enlarged my mouth over mine enemies, for my spirit rejoiceth when
I sing: There is none holy as our God, and none righteous beside
Thee, O Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit
within me.
Tear drops grant me, O Christ, to cleanse my defiled heart,
that, purified and with a good conscience, I may come with faith
and fear, O Master, to the communion of Thy divine Gifts.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not thy Holy
Spirit from me.
May Thy most pure Body and divine Blood be unto me for
remission of sins, for communion with the Holy Spirit, and unto life
eternal, O Lover of mankind, and to the estrangement of passions
and sorrows.
Glory the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O thou most holy table of the Bread of Life that for mercy's
sake came down from on high, giving new life to the world,
vouchsafe even me, the unworthy, to eat it with fear, and live.
Ode IV
Eirmos: From a Virgin didst thou come, not as an ambassador
nor as an angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and didst save
me, the whole man. Wherefore, I cry to Thee: Glory to Thy
power, O Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit
within me.
O Thou Who wast incarnate for our sake, O Most-merciful
one, Thou didst will to be slain as a sheep for the sin of mankind.
Wherefore, I entreat Thee to blot out my sins also.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy
Spirit from me.
Heal the wounds of my soul, O Lord, and sanctify all of me,
and vouchsafe, O Master, that I, the wretched one, may partake of
Thy divine Mystical Supper.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Propitiate for me also Him that came from Thy womb, O Lady,
and keep me, thy servant, undefiled and blameless, so that by
obtaining the spiritual Pearl I may be sanctified.
Ode V
Eirmos: O Lord, Giver of light and Creator of the ages, guide
us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know none other God
beside Thee.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit
within me.
As Thou didst foretell, O Christ, so let it be unto Thy wicked
servant, and in me abide as Thou didst promise; for behold I eat
Thy divine Body and drink Thy Blood.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy
Spirit from me.
O Word of God and God, may the live coal of Thy Body be
unto the enlightenment of me who am in darkness, and Thy Blood
unto the cleansing of my defiled soul.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mary, Mother of God, precious tabernacle of fragrance,
through thy prayers make me a chosen vessel, that I may partake of
the Sacrament of thy Son.
Ode VI
Eirmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I appeal to the
unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: From corruption raise me
up, O God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit
within me.
O Saviour, sanctify my mind, my soul, my heart and my body,
and vouchsafe me uncondemned, O master, to approach the fearful
Mysteries.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy
Spirit, from me.
Grant that I may be rid of passions, and have the assistance of
Thy grace, and strengthening of life by the communion of Thy holy
Mysteries, O Christ.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Holy Word of God and God, sanctify all of me as I now
come to Thy divine Mysteries, through the prayers of Thy holy
Mother.
Lord, have mercy. (x 3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion
(Tone 2)
Count me not unworthy, O Christ, to receive now the Bread
which is Thy Body, and Thy divine Blood, and to partake, O
Master, of Thy most pure and dread Mysteries, wretched though I
be. Let these not be for me unto judgment, but unto life immortal
and everlasting.
Ode VII
Eirmos: The wise children did not serve the golden image, but
went themselves into the flame and reviled the pagan gods. They
cried in the midst of the flame, and the angel bedewed them:
Already the prayer of your lips was heard.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit
within me.
May the communion of Thine immortal Mysteries, the source
of blessings, O Christ, be to me now light, and life, and dispassion,
and for progress and increase in the most divine virtues, O only
good One, that I may glorify Thee.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy
Spirit, from me.
That I may be delivered from passions, and enemies, need, and
every sorrow, I now draw nigh with trembling, love and reverence,
O Lover of mankind, to Thine immortal and divine Mysteries.
Vouchsafe me to hymn Thee: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of
our fathers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O thou who art full of grace, who beyond understanding gavest
birth to Christ the Saviour, I thy servant, the impure, now entreat
thee, the pure: Cleanse me, who am now about to approach the
most pure Mysteries, from all defilement of flesh and spirit.
Ode VIII
Eirmos: God Who descended into the fiery furnace unto the
Hebrew children and changed the flame into dew, praise Him as
Lord, O ye works, and supremely exalt Him unto all the ages.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit
within me.
Of Thy heavenly and dread holy Mysteries, O Christ, and of
Thy divine Mystical Supper vouchsafe now even me, the despairing
one, to partake, O God my Saviour.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy
Spirit, from me.
Fleeing for refuge to Thy loving-kindness, O Good One, with
fear I cry unto Thee: Abide in me, O Saviour, and I, as Thou hast
said, in Thee. for behold, presuming on Thy mercy, I eat Thy Body
and drink Thy Blood.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I tremble at taking fire, lest I be consumed as wax and grass.
O fearful Mystery! O the loving-kindness of God! How is it that
I, being but clay, partake of the divine Body and Blood, and am
made incorruptible?
Ode IX
Eirmos: The Son of the unoriginate Father, God and Lord,
hath appeared unto us incarnate of the Virgin, to enlighten those in
darkness and to gather the dispersed. Wherefore, the all-hymned
Theotokos do we magnify.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit
within me.
Christ It is, O taste and see! The Lord for our sake made like
unto us of old, once offered Himself as an offering to His Father,
and is ever slain, sanctifying them that partake.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy
Spirit, from me.
May I be sanctified in soul and body, O Master, may I be
enlightened, may I be saved, may I become Thy dwelling through
the communion of Thy holy Mysteries, having Thee with the Father
and the Spirit living in me, O Benefactor plenteous in mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
May Thy Body and Thy most precious Blood, O my Saviour,
be unto me as fire and light, consuming the substance of sin, and
burning the thorns of passions, and enlightening all of me to
worship Thy Divinity.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
God took flesh of thy pure blood; wherefore, all generations do
hymn thee, O Lady, and throngs of heavenly minds glorify thee, for
through thee they have clearly seen Him Who ruleth all things
endued with human nature.
It is truly meet to bless thee, the Theotokos, ever-blessed and
most blameless, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the
Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim,
who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very
Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our
sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities for Thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord's Prayer
Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we
forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from the evil one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion
of the Day if it be a
weekday.
If it be Sunday, the Troparion
in the Tone of the Week.
Lord, have mercy (x 3)
As many metanias and/or prostrations as desired
If thou desirest, O man, to eat the Body of the Master,
Approach with fear, lest thou be burnt; for It is fire.
And when thou drinkest the Divine Blood unto communion,
First be reconciled to them that have grieved thee,
Then dare to eat the Mystical Food.
Before partaking of the awesome Sacrifice
Of the life-creating Body of the Master,
After this manner pray with trembling.
Prayers in Preparation for Holy Communion
A Prayer of Basil the Great
O master Lord Jesus Christ our God, Source of life and
immortality, Creator of all things visible and invisible, the co-
eternal and co-unoriginate Son of the unoriginate Father, Who, out
of Thy great goodness, didst in the latter days clothe Thyself in
flesh, and wast crucified, and buried for us ungrateful and evil-
disposed ones, and hast renewed with Thine Own Blood our nature
corrupted by sin; Do Thou Thyself, O Immortal King, accept the
repentance of me a sinner, and incline Thine ear to me, and hearken
unto my words. For I have sinned against heaven and before Thee,
and I am not worthy to look upon the height of Thy glory; for I
have angered Thy goodness by transgressing Thy commandments
and not obeying Thine injunctions. But Thou, O Lord, Who art not
vengeful, but long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, hast not given
me over to be destroyed with my sins, but always Thou awaitest my
complete conversion. For Thou hast said, O Lover of mankind,
through Thy prophet: For I desire not the death of the sinner, but
that he should return and live. For Thou desirest not, O Master, to
destroy the work of Thy hands, neither shalt Thou be pleased with
the destruction of men, but desirest that all be saved and come to
a knowledge of the truth. Wherefore, even I, although unworthy of
heaven and earth, and of this temporal life, having submitted my
whole self to sin, and made myself a slave of pleasure, and having
defaced Thine image, yet being Thy work and creation, wretched
though I be, I despair not of my salvation, and dare to approach
Thine immeasurable loving-kindness. Accept, then, even me, O
Lord, Lover of mankind, as Thou didst accept the sinful woman,
the thief, the publican, and the prodigal; and take away the heavy
burden of my sins, Thou that takest away the sin of the world, and
healest the infirmities of mankind; Who callest the weary and
heavy-laden unto Thyself and givest them rest, Who camest not to
call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. And do Thou cleanse
me from all defilement of flesh and spirit, and teach me to achieve
holiness in fear of Thee; that with the pure testimony of my
conscience, receiving a portion of Thy Holy Things, I may be
united unto Thy holy Body and Blood, and have Thee living and
biding in me with the Father and Thy Holy Spirit. Yea, O Lord
Jesus Christ my God, let not the communion of Thine immaculate
and life-creating Mysteries be unto me for judgment, neither unto
infirmity of soul and body because of my partaking of them
unworthily; but grant me until my last breath to receive without
condemnation the portion of Thy Holy Things, unto communion
with the Holy Spirit, as a provision for life eternal, for an
acceptable defence at Thy dread judgment seat; so that I also, with
all Thine elect, may become a partaker of Thine incorruptible
blessings, which Thou hast prepared for them that love Thee, O
Lord, in whom Thou art glorified unto the ages. Amen.
A Prayer of Our Father Among the Saints, John Chrysostom
O Lord my God, I know that I am not worthy nor sufficient
that Thou shouldest enter beneath the roof of the temple of my
soul, for all is empty and fallen, and Thou hast not in me a place
worthy to lay Thy head; but as from on high Thou didst humble
Thyself for our sake, do Thou now also lower Thyself to my
lowliness; and as Thou didst consent to lie in a cave and in a
manger of dumb beasts, so consent also to lie in the manger of
mine irrational soul, and to enter into my defiled body. And as
Thou didst not refuse to enter and to dine with sinners in the house
of Simon the Leper, so deign also to enter into the house of my
lowly soul, leprous and sinful. And as Thou didst not reject the
harlot and sinner like me, when she came and touched thee, so be
compassionate also with me a sinner, as I approach and touch Thee.
And as Thou didst feel no loathing for the defiled and unclean lips
of her that kissed Thee, do Thou also not loathe my defiled lips nor
mine abominable and impure mouth, and my polluted and unclean
tongue. But let the fiery coal of Thy most holy Body and Thy
precious Blood be unto me for sanctification and enlightenment,
and health for my lowly soul and body, unto the lightening of the
burden of my many sins, for preservation from every act of the
devil, for the expulsion and prohibition of mine evil and wicked
habits, unto the mortification of the passions, unto the keeping of
Thy commandments, unto the application of Thy divine grace, unto
the acquiring of Thy kingdom. For not with disdain do I approach
Thee, O Christ God, but as one trusting in Thine ineffable
goodness, and that I may not by much abstaining from Thy
communion become the prey of the spiritual wolf. Wherefore do
I entreat Thee, for Thou art the only Holy One, O Master: sanctify
my soul and body, my mind and heart, my belly and inward parts,
and renew me entirely. And implant thy fear in my members, and
make Thy sanctification inalienable from me, and be unto me a
helper and defender, guiding my life in peace, vouchsafing me also
to stand at Thy right hand with Thy saints, through the intercessions
and supplications of Thy most pure Mother, of Thine immaterial
ministers and immaculate hosts, and of all the saints who from the
ages have been pleasing unto Thee. Amen.
Another Prayer, of Symeon Metaphrastes
O only pure and sinless Lord, Who through the ineffable
compassions of Thy love for mankind didst take on all of our
substance from the pure and virgin blood of her that bare Thee
supernaturally through the descent of the Divine Spirit and the
good will of the everlasting Father; O Christ Jesus, Wisdom of
God, and Peace, and Power, Thou Who through the assumption of
our nature didst take upon Thyself Thy life-creating and saving
Passion -- the Cross, the nails, the spear, and death: mortify the
soul-corrupting passions of my body. Thou Who by Thy burial
didst lead captive the kingdom of hades, bury with good thoughts
mine evil schemes, and destroy the spirits of evil. Thou Who by
Thy life-bearing Resurrection on the third day didst raise up our
fallen forefather, raise me up who have slipped down into sin,
setting before me the ways of repentance. Thou Who by Thy most
glorious Ascension didst deify the flesh that Thou hadst taken, and
didst honour it with a seat at the right hand of the Father, vouchsafe
me through partaking of Thy holy Mysteries to obtain a place at
Thy right hand among them that are saved. O Thou Who by the
descent of Thy Spirit, the Comforter, didst make Thy holy disciples
worthy vessels, show me also to be a receptacle of his coming.
Thou Who art to come again to judge the world in righteousness,
deign to let me also meet Thee on the clouds, my Judge and
Creator, with all Thy saints; that I may endlessly glorify and praise
Thee, with Thine unoriginate Father and Thy most Holy and good
and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Of the divine Damascene
O Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who alone hast authority
to remit the sins of men: Do Thou, as the Good One and Lover of
mankind, overlook all mine offenses, whether committed with
knowledge or in ignorance. And vouchsafe me to partake without
condemnation of Thy Divine, glorious, immaculate, and life-
creating Mysteries; not as a burden, nor for punishment, nor for an
increase of sins, but unto purification and sanctification, and as a
pledge of the life and kingdom to come, as a bulwark and help, and
for the destruction of enemies, and for the blotting out of my many
transgressions. For Thou art a God of mercy, and compassion, and
love for mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory, with the
Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of
ages. Amen.
Of Basil the Great
I know, O Lord, that I partake unworthily of Thine immaculate
Body and Thy precious Blood, and that I am guilty, and eat and
drink damnation to myself, not discerning the Body and Blood of
Thee, my Christ and God; but taking courage from Thy compassion
I approach Thee Who hast said: He that eateth My Flesh, and
drinketh My Blood, abideth in Me, and I in him. Show
compassion, therefore, O Lord, and do not accuse me, a sinner, but
deal with me according to Thy mercy; and let these Holy Things be
for me unto healing, and purification, and enlightenment, and
preservation, and salvation, and unto sanctification of soul and
body; unto the driving away of every phantasy and evil practice,
and activity of the devil working mentally in my members; unto
confidence and love toward Thee, unto correction of life, unto
steadfastness, unto an increase of virtue and perfection, unto
fulfillment of the commandments, unto communion with the Holy
Spirit, as a provision for life eternal, as an acceptable defence at
Thy dread tribunal, not unto judgment or condemnation.
A Prayer of St. Symeon the New Theologian
From sullied lips, from an abominable heart, from a tongue
impure, from a soul defiled, accept my supplication, O my Christ,
and disdain me not, neither my words, nor my ways, nor my
shamelessness. Grant me to say boldly that which I desire, O my
Christ. Or rather, teach me what I ought to do and say. I have
sinned more than the sinful woman who, having learned where
Thou wast lodging, bought myrrh, and came daringly to anoint Thy
feet, my God, my Master and my Christ. As Thou didst not reject
her when she drew near from her heart, neither, O Word, be Thou
filled with loathing for me, but grant me Thy feet to clasp and kiss,
and with floods of tears, as with most precious myrrh, dare to
anoint them. Wash me with my tears, and purify me with them, O
Word; remit also my transgressions, and grant me pardon. Thou
knowest the multitude of mine evils, Thou knowest also my sores,
and Thou seest my wounds; but also Thou knowest my faith, and
Thou beholdest my good intentions, and Thou hearest my sighs.
Nothing is hidden from Thee, my God, my Creator, My Redeemer,
neither a teardrop, nor a part of a drop. My deeds not yet done
Thine eyes have seen, and in Thy book, even things not yet
accomplished are written by Thee. See my lowliness, see my toil,
how great it is, and all my sins take from me, O God of all; that
with a pure heart, a trembling mind, and a contrite soul I may
partake of Thy spotless and most holy Mysteries, by which all that
eat and drink in purity of heart are quickened and deified. For
Thou, O my Master, hast said: Everyone that eateth My Flesh and
drinketh My Blood abideth in Me, and I in him. True is every
word of my Master and God; for whosoever partaketh of the divine
and deifying grace is no more alone, but with Thee, my Christ, the
three-sunned Light that enlighteneth the world. And that I may not
remain alone without Thee, the Life-giver, my Breath, my Life, my
Rejoicing, the Salvation of the world, therefore have I drawn nigh
unto Thee, as Thou seest, with tears, and with a contrite soul. O
Ransom of mine offenses, I ask Thee to receive me, and that I may
partake without condemnation of Thy life-giving and perfect
Mysteries, that Thou mayest remain, as Thou hast said, with me, a
thrice-wretched one, lest the deceiver, finding me without Thy
grace, craftily seize me, and having beguiled me, draw me away
from Thy deifying words. Wherefore, I fall down before thee, and
fervently cry unto Thee: As Thou didst receive the prodigal, and
the sinful woman who drew near, so receive me, the prodigal and
profligate, O Compassionate One. With a contrite soul I now come
to Thee. I know, O Saviour, that none other hath sinned against
Thee as have I, nor hath wrought the deeds that I have done. But
this again I know, that neither the magnitude of mine offenses nor
the multitude of my sins surpasseth the abundant long-suffering of
my God and His exceeding love for mankind; but with sympathetic
mercy Thou dost purify and illumine them that fervently repent,
and makest them partakers of the light, sharers of Thy divinity
without stint. And, strange to angels and to the minds of men,
Thou conversest with them oftimes, as with Thy true friends.
These things make me bold, these things give me wings, O Christ.
And taking courage from the wealth of Thy benefactions to us,
rejoicing and trembling at once, I partake of Fire, I that am grass.
And, strange wonder! I am bedewed without being consumed, as
the bush of old burned without being consumed. Now with
thankful mind, and grateful heart, with thankfulness in my
members, my soul and body, I worship and magnify and glorify
Thee, my God, for blessed art Thou, both now and unto the ages.
Another prayer of St. John Chrysostom
O God, loose, remit, and pardon me my transgressions wherein
I have sinned against Thee, whether by word, deed, or thought,
voluntarily or involuntarily, consciously or unconsciously; forgive
me all, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind. And through
the intercessions of Thy most pure Mother, Thy noetic ministers
and holy hosts, and all the saints who from the ages have been
pleasing unto Thee, deign to allow me without condemnation Thy
holy and immaculate Body and precious Blood, unto the healing of
soul and body, and unto the purification of mine evil thoughts. For
Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, with the Father,
and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
Another Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
I am not sufficient, O Master and Lord, that Thou shouldst
enter under the roof of my soul; but as Thou dost will as the Lover
of mankind to dwell in me, I dare to approach Thee. Thou
commandest: I shall open the doors which Thou alone didst create,
that Thou mayest enter with Thy love for mankind, as is Thy
nature, that Thou mayest enter and enlighten my darkened thought.
I believe that Thou wilt do this, for Thou didst not drive away the
sinful woman when she came unto Thee with tears, neither didst
Thou reject the publican who repented, nor didst Thou spurn the
thief who acknowledged Thy kingdom, nor didst Thou leave the
repentant persecutor to himself; but all of them that came unto
Thee in repentance Thou didst number among Thy friends, O Thou
Who alone art blessed, always, now and unto endless ages. Amen.
Another Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
O Lord Jesus Christ my God, loose remit, cleanse, and forgive
me, Thy sinful and unprofitable, and unworthy servant, my
transgressions and offenses and fallings into sin, which I have
committed against Thee from my youth until the present day and
hour, whether consciously or unconsciously, whether by words or
deeds, or in thought or imagination, in habit, and in all my senses.
And through the intercessions of her that seedlessly gave Thee
birth, the most pure and Ever-Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, the only
hope that maketh not ashamed and my mediation and salvation,
vouchsafe me without condemnation to partake of Thine
immaculate, immortal, life-creating and awesome Mysteries, unto
the remission of sins and for life eternal, unto sanctification and
enlightenment, strength, healing, and health of both soul and body,
and unto the consumption and complete destruction of mine evil
reasonings and intentions and prejudices and nocturnal phantasies
of dark and evil spirits; for Thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, and the honour, and the worship, with the Father and
the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Another Prayer of St. John of Damascus
I stand before the doors of Thy temple, yet I don not put away
evil thoughts. But do Thou, O Christ God, Who didst justify the
publican, and didst have mercy on the woman of Canaan, and didst
open the doors of paradise to the thief, open unto me the abyss of
Thy love for mankind, and receive me as I come and touch Thee,
as Thou didst receive the sinful woman and the woman with an
issue of blood. For the one received healing easily by touching the
hem of Thy garment, while the other, by clasping Thy most pure
feet, carried away absolution of sins. And I, a wretch, daring to
receive Thy whole Body, let me not be consumed by fire; but
receive me, as Thou didst receive them, and enlighten my spiritual
senses, burning up my sinful errors through the intercessions of her
that seedlessly gave Thee birth, and of the heavenly hosts, for
blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
When coming to partake, say to oneself these lines of Metaphrastes:
Behold, I approach the Divine Communion.
O Creator, let me not be burnt by communicating,
For Thou art Fire, consuming the unworthy.
But, rather, purify me of all impurity.
Then again say:
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, receive me today as
a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Thine
enemies; nor will I give Thee a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief
do I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.
Again these lines:
Be awe-stricken, O mortal, beholding the deifying Blood;
For It is a fire that consumeth the unworthy.
The Divine Body both deifieth and nourisheth me.
It deifieth the spirit, and wondrously nourisheth the mind.
Troparia
Thou hast sweetened me with Thy love, O Christ, and by Thy
Divine zeal hast Thou changed me. But do Thou consume my sins
with immaterial fire, and vouchsafe me to be filled with delight in
Thee; that, leaping for joy, O Good One, I may Magnify Thy two
comings.
Into the brilliant company of Thy saints how shall I the
unworthy enter? For if I dare to enter into the bridechamber, my
garment betrayeth me, for it is not a wedding garment, and I shall
be bound and cast out by the angels. Cleanse, O Lord, my soul of
pollution, and save me, as Thou art the Lover of mankind.
Prayer
O Master, Lover of mankind, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, let
not these Holy Things be unto me for judgment, through my being
unworthy, but unto the purification and sanctification of soul and
body, and as a pledge of the life and kingdom to come. For it is
good for me to cleave unto God, to put my hope of salvation in the
Lord.
And again
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, receive me today as
a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Thine
enemies; nor will I give Thee a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief
do I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.
Troparia of the Days of the Week
Monday
Commemoration of the Holy Angels
(Tone 4)
Supreme Leaders of the Heavenly Hosts, / we
implore you that by your prayers / you will encircle us, unworthy
as we are, / with the protection of the wings of your immaterial
glory, / and guard us who fall down before you and fervently cry:
/ Deliver us from dangers, // for you are the commanders of the
Powers above.
Tuesday
Commemoration of St. John the
Baptist
(Tone 2)
The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of
praise, / but the Lord's testimony is enough for thee, O Forerunner,
/ for thou wast shown to be more wonderful than the Prophets /
since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters / Him
Whom thou didst proclaim. / Then having endured great suffering
for the Truth, / thou didst rejoice to bring, even to those in hell, /
the good tidings that God Who had appeared in the flesh // takes
away the sin of the world and grants us the great mercy.
Wednesday
Commemoration of the Cross
and the
Passion of our Lord Jesus
Christ
(Tone 1)
O Lord, save Thy people / and bless Thine
inheritance. / Grant victory over their enemies / to Orthodox
Christians, / and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
Thursday
Commemoration of the Holy Apostles
(Tone 3)
Holy Apostles, intercede with our merciful God, /
that He may grant to our souls // the forgiveness of our sins.
Commemoration of St. Nicholas
(Tone 4)
The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock / as a
rule of faith, an icon of meekness and a teacher of temperance; /
therefore thou hast achieved the heights by humility, / riches by
poverty. / O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, // intercede with Christ
God that our souls be saved.
Friday
Commemoration of the Cross
and the
Passion of our Lord Jesus
Christ
(Tone 8)
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine
inheritance. / Grant victory over their enemies / to Orthodox
Christians, // and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
Saturday
Commemoration of all the Saints
(Tone 2)
Apostles, Martyrs, and Prophets, holy Hierarchs,
Saints, and Righteous, / having fought the good fight and kept the
faith / you have boldness towards the Saviour. / Intercede for us
with Him, for He is good, // we pray that He may save our souls.
Commemoration of all the
Faithful Departed
(Tone 2)
Remember the souls of Thy servants, O Lord, for
Thou art good, / and insofar as they sinned in this life, forgive
them; / for no one is sinless but Thee, // Who canst also give rest to
the departed.
Troparia of Sunday in the Eight Tones
Tone 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews, / and the soldiers
were guarding Thine immaculate Body, / Thou didst arise on the
third day, O Saviour, / granting life unto the world. / Wherefore,
the Hosts of the Heavens cried out to Thee, O Life-giver: / Glory
to Thy Resurrection, O Christ. / Glory to Thy kingdom. // Glory to
Thy dispensation, O only Lover of mankind.
Tone 2
When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, / then
didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. / And
when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths,
/ all the Hosts of the Heavens cried out: / O Life-giver, Christ our
God, glory be to Thee.
Tone 3
Let the Heavens rejoice; / let earthly things be glad; / for the
Lord hath wrought might with His arm. / He hath trampled upon
death; / the first-born of the dead hath He become. / From the belly
of Hades / hath He delivered us // and hath granted to the world
great mercy.
Tone 4
Having learned the joyful proclamation / of the Resurrection
from the angel, / and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, /
the women disciples of the Lord spake to the apostles exultantly:
/ Death is despoiled / and Christ god is risen, // granting to the
world great mercy.
Tone 5
Let us, O faithful, praise and worship the Word / Who is co-unoriginate with the Father and the Spirit, / and Who was born of
the Virgin for our salvation; / for He was pleased to ascend the
Cross in the flesh / and to endure death, / and to raise the dead // by
His glorious Resurrection.
Tone 6
Angelic Host were above Thy tomb, / and they that guarded
Thee became as dead. / And Mary stood by the grave / seeking
Thine immaculate Body. / Thou didst despoil Hades and wast not
tempted by it. / Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life.
/ O Thou who didst arise from the dead, // O Lord, glory be to
Thee.
Tone 7
Thou didst destroy death by Thy Cross, / Thou didst open
Paradise to the thief. / Thou didst change the lamentation of the
Myrrh-bearers, / and Thou didst command Thine Apostles / to
proclaim that Thou didst arise, / O Christ god, // and grantest to the
world great mercy.
Tone 8
From on
high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate
One; / to burial of three days
hast Thou submitted / that Thou
mightest free us from our passions.
// O our Life and Resurrection,
O Lord, glory be to Thee.
The Prayers of Thankgiving After Holy Communion
When thou hast received the good Communion of the life-
creating Mystical Gifts, give praise immediately, give thanks
greatly, and from the soul say fervently unto God these things:
Glory to Thee, O God.
Glory to Thee, O God.
Glory to Thee, O God.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving
I thank Thee, O Lord my God, for Thou hast not rejected me,
a sinner, but hast vouchsafed me to be a communicant of Thy Holy
Things. I thank Thee, for Thou hast vouchsafed me, the unworthy,
to partake of Thy most pure and heavenly gifts. But, O Master,
lover of mankind, Who for our sakes didst die and didst rise again,
and didst bestow upon us these dread and life-creating Mysteries
for the well-being and sanctification of our souls and bodies, grant
that these may be even unto me for the healing of both soul and
body, for the averting of everything hostile, for the enlightenment
of the eyes of my heart, for the peace of the powers of my soul, for
faith unashamed, for love unfeigned, for the fullness of wisdom, for
the keeping of Thy commandments, for an increase of Thy Divine
grace, and for the attainment of Thy Kingdom; that being
preserved by them in Thy holiness, I may always remember Thy
grace, and no longer live for myself, but for Thee our Master and
Benefactor; and thus when I shall have departed this life in hope
of life eternal, I may attain unto the everlasting rest, where the
sound of them that keep festival is unceasing, and the delight is
endless of them that behold the ineffable beauty of Thy
countenance. For Thou art the true desire and the unutterable
gladness of those who love Thee, O Christ our God, and all
creation doth hymn Thee unto the ages. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Basil the Great
O Master Christ our God, King of the Ages, and Creator of all
things, I thank Thee for all the good things Thou hast bestowed
upon me, and for the Communion of Thy most pure and life-
creating Mysteries. I pray Thee, therefore, O Good One and Lover
of mankind: Keep me under Thy protection and in the shadow of
Thy wings and grant me, even until my last breath, to partake
worthily, and with a pure conscience, of Thy Holy Things, unto the
remission of sins and life eternal. For Thou art the Bread of Life,
the Source of holiness, the Giver of good things; and unto Thee do
we send up glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now
and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
A Prayer by St. Simeon Metaphrastes
O Thou Who givest me willingly Thy Flesh as food, Thou
Who art Fire that fire doth consume the unworthy, burn me not, O
my Creator; but, rather, enter into my members, into all my joints,
my reins, my heart. Burn up the thorns of all my sins. Purify my
soul, sanctify my thoughts. Strengthen my substance together with
my bones. Enlighten my simple five senses. Nail down the whole
of me with Thy fear. Ever protect, preserve, and keep me from
every soul-corrupting deed and word. Purify and cleanse, and
adorn me; make me comely, give me understanding, and enlighten
me. Show me to be the dwelling-place of Thy Spirit alone, and no
longer the habitation of sin; that from me as Thine abode through
the entry of Communion, every evildoer, every passion, may flee
as from a fire. As intercessors I offer unto Thee all the saints, the
commanders of the bodiless hosts, Thy Forerunner, the wise
apostles, and further, Thine undefiled pure Mother, whose
entreaties do Thou accept, O my compassionate Christ, and make
Thy servant a child of light. For Thou alone art our sanctification,
O Good One, and the radiance of our souls, and unto Thee as God
and Master, we all send up glory, as is meet, every day.
Another prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, may Thy holy Body be unto me
for life eternal, and Thy precious Blood, for the remission of sins;
and may this Eucharist be unto me for joy, health, and gladness.
And at Thy dread Second Coming vouchsafe me, a sinner, to stand
at the right hand of Thy glory, through the intercessions of Thy
most pure Mother and of all the saints.
A Prayer to the Theotokos
O most holy Lady Theotokos, light of my darkened soul, my
hope, protection, refuge, consolation, my joy: I thank thee, for
thou hast vouchsafed me, who am unworthy, to be a partaker of the
most pure Body and precious Blood of thy Son. O Thou that gave
birth to the True Light, do thou enlighten the spiritual eyes of my
heart; thou who gavest birth to the Source of immortality, revive
me who am dead in sin; thou who art the lovingly compassionate
Mother of the merciful God, have mercy on me, and grant me
compunction, and contrition in my heart, and humility in my
thoughts, and the recall of my thoughts from captivity. And
vouchsafe me until my last breath to receive without condemnation
the sanctification of the most pure Mysteries, for the healing of
both soul and body; and grant me tears of repentance and
confession, with which to hymn and glorify thee all the days of my
life, for blessed and most glorified art thou unto the ages. Amen.
Prayer of St. Simeon
Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master,
according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,
which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light of
revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us.
(3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O most-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our
sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal
our infirmities, for Thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we
forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from the evil one.
* * *
Prayers according
to the Liturgy
At the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Grace shining forth from thy mouth like a beacon hath
illumined the universe, and disclosed to the world treasures of
uncovetousness, and shown us the heights of humility; but while
instructing by thy words, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede with
the Word, Christ our God, to save our souls.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
From the heavens hast thou received divine grace and by thy
lips thou dost teach all to worship the One God in Trinity, O John
Chrysostom, all-blessed righteous one. Rightly do we acclaim thee
for thou art a teacher revealing things divine.
(Go to Both now...)
At the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
Thy fame hast gone forth into all the earth, which hath receive
thy word. Thereby thou hast divinely taught the Faith; thou hast
made manifest the nature of created things; thou hast made the
moral life of men a royal priesthood. O Basil our righteous father,
intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou didst prove to be an unshakable foundation of the
Church, giving to all mortals an inviolate lordship, and sealing it
with thy doctrines, O righteous Basil, revealer of heavenly things.
(Go to Both now...)
At the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
(Liturgy of St. Gregory)
Thou who hast received of God divine grace from on high, O
glorious Gregory, and hast been fortified by His power, thou didst
will to walk according to the Gospel; wherefore, thou hast received
of Christ the reward of thy labours, O all-blessed one. Entreat Him
that He save our souls.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast shown thyself to be a leader like unto the chief
Shepherd Christ, O Father Gregory, guiding flocks of monks unto
the heavenly sheepfold, and from whence thou didst teach the flock
of Christ His commandments. And now thou dost rejoice with
them and dance in the heavenly mansions.
* * *
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, O
mediation unto the Creator unfailing: disdain not the suppliant
voices of sinners; but be thou quick, O good one, to help us who
in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to
make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them
that honour thee.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now
and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more
glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to
God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now
and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (x 3)
O Lord, bless.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of
Thy most pure Mother, our holy and God-bearing fathers, and of all
the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
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