Table of Contents
Morning prayers
Evening prayers
Preparation for Holy Communion on the Preceding Evening
Prayers of Preparation on the Following Day
Prayers of Thanksgiving After Receiving Holy Communion
Morning prayers
Having risen from sleep, before any other action, stand reverently, considering yourself to be in the presence of the All-seeing God, and, having made the sign of the Cross, say:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then pause a moment, until all your senses are calmed and your thoughts forsake all things earthly; and then make three bows, saying:
The Prayer of the Publican: O God, be merciful to me a sinner. (3 times).
The Beginning Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Your most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
The usual prayer at this point is “O Heavenly King”. However, from Pascha till its leave-taking (the day before Ascension), we sing “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life”(3 times)
Prayer to the Holy Spirit:
O Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, present everywhere and filling all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life, come and abide in us, cleanse us of every stain; and save our souls, O good One.
Trisagion (Thrice Holy)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times with bow).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot but our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Troparia to the Holy Trinity:
Having risen from sleep we fall before You, good One, and sing the angelic hymn to You, O powerful One: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God; through the Theotokos have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having aroused me from bed and sleep, Lord, enlighten my mind, and open my heart and my lips, that I may sing to You, O Holy Trinity: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Suddenly the Judge will come, and the deeds of each will be exposed; but with fear we cry out in the middle of the night: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Prayer of Saint Basil the Great to the Most Holy Trinity:
As I rise from sleep, I thank You, O Holy Trinity, for through Your great goodness and patience, You were not angry with me, an idler and sinner, nor have You destroyed me with my iniquities, but have shown Your usual love for mankind; and when I was prostrate in despair, You have raised me up to keep the morning watch and glorify Your power. And now enlighten my mind's eye, and open my mouth that I may meditate on Your words, and understand Your commandments, and do Your will, and hymn You in heartfelt confession, and sing praises to Your all-holy name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship God our King. (Bow.)
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God. (Bow.)
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God. (Bow.)
PSALM 50
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight — that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart — these, O God, You will not despise. Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
The Symbol of the Orthodox Faith:
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; true God of true God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father by Whom all things were made; Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from the heavens, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried; and arose again on the third day according to the Scriptures; and ascended into the heavens, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life; Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets.
In one, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Prayer I, of St. Macarius the Great:
O God, cleanse me a sinner, for I have never done anything good in Your sight; but deliver me from the evil one, and let Your will be done in me, that I may open my unworthy mouth without condemnation, and praise Your holy name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer II, of the same saint:
Having risen from sleep, I offer unto You, O Saviour, the midnight hymn, and falling down I cry unto You: Grant me not to fall asleep in the death of sin, but have compassion on me, O You Who were voluntarily crucified, and hasten to raise me who am reclining in idleness, and save me in prayer and intercession; and after the night's sleep, shine upon me a sinless day, O Christ God, and save me.
Prayer III, of the same saint:
Having risen from sleep, I hasten to You, O Master, Lover of mankind, and by Your loving-kindness, I strive to do Your work, and I pray to You: Help me at all times in everything, and deliver me from every worldly, evil thing and every impulse of the devil, and save me, and lead me into Your eternal kingdom. For You are my Creator, and the Giver, and Provider of everything good, and in You is all my hope, and unto You do I send up glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer IV, of the same saint:
O Lord, Who in Your abundant goodness and Your great compassion have granted me, Your servant, to go through the time of the night that is past without attack from any opposing evil. You Yourself, O Master, Creator of all things, vouchsafe me by Your true light and with an enlightened heart to do Your will, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer V, of St. Basil the Great:
O Lord Almighty, God of hosts and of all flesh, Who dwells on high and looks down on things that are lowly, Who searches the heart and innermost being, and clearly foreknows the secrets of men; O unoriginate and everlasting Light, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning: You, O Immortal King, receive our supplications, which we, daring because of the multitude of Your compassions, offer You at the present time from defiled lips; and forgive us our sins in deed, word, and thought, whether committed by us knowingly or in ignorance, and cleanse us from every defilement of flesh and spirit.
And grant us to pass through the night of the whole present life with watchful heart and sober thought, ever expecting the coming of the bright and appointed day of Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, whereon the judge of all shall come with glory, to reward each according to his deeds.
May we not be found fallen and idle, but watching and upright in activity, ready to accompany Him into the joy and divine palace of His glory, where there is the ceaseless sound of those that keep festival, and the unspeakable delight of those that behold the ineffable beauty of Your countenance.
For You are the true Light that enlightens and sanctifies all, and all creation hymns You unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer VI, likewise by St. Basil:
We bless You, O Most High God and Lord of mercy, Who ever does with us things both great and inscrutable, both glorious and awesome, of which there is no measure; Who grants to us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and relaxation from the labours of our much toiling flesh.
We thank You that You have not destroyed us with our iniquities, but have shown Your loving-kindness to man as usual, and while we were lying in despair upon our beds, You have raised us up that we might glorify Your dominion.
Wherefore, we implore Your boundless goodness: enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our mind from the heavy sleep of indolence; open our mouth and fill it with Your praise, that we may be able steadily to hymn and confess You, Who are God glorified in all and by all, the unoriginate Father, with Your Only-begotten Son, and Your All-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer VII, to the Most Holy Theotokos:
I sing of Your grace, O Sovereign Lady, and I pray you to grace my mind. Teach me to step aright in the way of Christ's commandments. Strengthen me to keep awake in song, and drive away the sleep of despondency. O Bride of God, by your prayers release me, bound with the bonds of sin. Guard me by night and by day, and deliver me from foes that defeat me. O bearer of God the Life-giver, enliven me who am deadened by passions. O bearer of the unwaning Light, enlighten my blinded soul. O marvellous palace of the Master, make me to be a house of the Divine Spirit. O bearer of the Healer, heal the perennial passions of my soul. Guide me to the path of repentance, for I am tossed in the storm of life. Deliver me from eternal fire, and from evil worms, and from Tartarus. Let me not be exposed to the rejoicing of demons, guilty as I am of many sins. Renew me, grown old from senseless sins, O most immaculate one. Present me untouched by all torments, and pray for me to the Master of all. Vouchsafe me to find the joys of heaven with all the saints. O most holy Virgin, hearken unto the voice of your unprofitable servant. Grant me torrents of tears, O most pure one, to cleanse my soul from impurity. I offer the groans of my heart to you unceasingly, strive for me, O Sovereign Lady. Accept my service of supplication and offer it to compassionate God. O you who are above the angels, raise me above this world's confusion. O Light bearing heavenly tabernacle, direct the grace of the Spirit in me. I raise my hands and lips in your praise, defiled as they are by impurity, O all immaculate one. Deliver me from soul corrupting evils, and fervently intercede with Christ, to Whom is due honour and worship, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer VIII, to our Lord Jesus Christ:
O my plenteously merciful and all merciful God, Lord Jesus Christ, through Your great love You came down and became incarnate so that You may save all. And again, O Saviour, save me by Your grace, I pray You. For if You were to save me for my works, this would not be grace or a gift, but rather a duty; yea, You Who are great in compassion and ineffable in mercy. For he that believes in Me, You have said, O my Christ, shall live and never see death. If, then, faith in You saves the desperate, behold, I believe, save me, for You are my God and Creator. Let faith instead of works be imputed to me, O my God, for You will find no works which could justify me. But may my faith suffice instead of all works, may it answer for, may it acquit me, may it make me a partaker of Your eternal glory. And let Satan not seize me and boast, O Word, that he has torn me from Your hand and fold. But whether I desire it or not, save me, O Christ my Saviour, forestall me quickly, quickly, for I perish. You are my God from my mother's womb. Vouchsafe me, O Lord, to love You now as fervently as I once loved sin itself, and also to work for You without idleness, diligently, as I worked before for the deceptive Satan. But supremely shall I work for You, my Lord and God, Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer IX, to the Holy Guardian Angel:
O holy angel that stands by my wretched soul and my passionate life, forsake not me a sinner, nor shrink from me because of my intemperance. Give no place for the cunning demon to master me through the violence of my mortal body, strengthen my poor and feeble hand, and guide me in the way of salvation. Yea, O holy angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body, forgive me all wherein I have offended you all the days of my life; and if I have sinned during the past night, protect me during the present day, and guard me from every temptation of the enemy, that I may not anger God by any sin. And pray to the Lord for me, that He may establish me in His fear, and show me, His servant, to be worthy of His goodness. Amen.
Prayer X, to the Most Holy Theotokos:
O my most holy lady Theotokos, through your holy and all-powerful prayers, banish from me, your lowly and wretched servant, despondency, forgetfulness, folly, carelessness, (some will insert here specific sins and passions which afflict them) and all filthy, evil, and blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and my darkened mind. And quench the flame of my passions, for I am poor and wretched, and deliver me from many and cruel memories and deeds, and free me from all their evil effects. For blessed are you by all generations, and glorified is your most honourable name unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayerful invocation of the Saint whose name we bear:
Pray unto God for me, O holy God pleaser N., for I fervently flee unto You, the speedy helper and intercessor for my soul.
Song to the Most Holy Theotokos:
Theotokos and Virgin, rejoice, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Fruit of your womb, for you have borne the Saviour of our souls.
Troparion to the Cross:
Save, O Lord, Your people, and bless Your inheritance; grant victory to Orthodox Christians over enemies; and by the power of Your Cross, preserve Your commonwealth.
Then offer a brief prayer for the health and salvation of your spiritual father, your parents, relatives, those in authority, benefactors, others known to you, the ailing, or those passing through sorrows. And if it be possible, read this commemoration:
For the Living:
Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Your mercies and compassions which are from the ages, for the sake of which You have become man and willed to endure crucifixion and death for the salivation of those that rightly believe in You; and having risen from the dead ascended into the heavens and sits at the right hand of God the Father, and regards the humble entreaties of those who call upon You with all their heart; incline Your ear, and hearken unto the humble supplication of me, Your unprofitable servant, as an odour of spiritual fragrance, which I offer unto You for all Your people.
For the Church
And first, remember Your Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, which You have provided through Your precious Blood, and establish, and strengthen, and expand, increase, pacify, and keep Her unconquerable by the gates of hades. Calm the dissensions of the churches, quench the raging of the nations, and quickly destroy and uproot the rising of heresy, and bring them to nought by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Bow.
For this land and its authorities
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our sovereign lord, King N., all in civil authorities, and the Orthodox people living in this country. Bow.
For the clergy
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the holy Eastern Orthodox patriarchs, most reverend metropolitans, Orthodox archbishops and bishops, and all in priestly and monastic order, and all who serve in the Church, whom You have appointed to shepherd Your rational flock, and through their prayers have mercy, and save me, the sinner. Bow.
One's Spiritual father or confessor
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual Father N., and through his holy prayers forgive my sins. Bow.
Parents, family and friends
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my parents, Names, brothers and sisters, and my kindred according to the flesh, and all the neighbours of my family and friends, and grant them Your earthly and spiritual good things. Bow.
Those in afflictions
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the aged and the young, the poor and the orphans and widows, and those in sickness and sorrow, misfortune and tribulation, those in difficult circumstances and in captivity, in prisons and dungeons, and especially those of Your servants that are persecuted for Your sake and the Orthodox Faith by godless peoples, by apostates, and by heretics; and remember them, visit, strengthen, comfort, and by Your power quickly grant them relief, freedom, and deliverance. Bow.
Enemies
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on them that hate and do me wrong, and make temptation for me, and let them not perish because of me, the sinner. Bow.
Apostates and all heretics
Illumine with the light of awareness the apostates from the Orthodox Faith, and those blinded by pernicious heresies, and number them with Your Holy, Apostolic, Catholic Church. Bow.
For the Departed:
Rulers, Clergy and Monastics
Remember, O Lord, those that have departed this life, Orthodox kings and queens, princes and princesses, most holy patriarchs, most reverend metropolitans, Orthodox archbishops and bishops, those in priestly and clerical orders of the Church, and those that have served You in the monastic order, and grant them rest with the saints in Your eternal tabernacles. Bow.
Parents and friends
Remember, O Lord, the souls of Your departed servants, my parents, Names, and all my kindred according to the flesh, and forgive them all transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, granting them the kingdom and a portion of Your eternal good things, and the delight of Your endless and blessed life. Bow.
All other departed Orthodox Christians
Remember, O Lord, also all our fathers and brothers, and sisters, and those that lie here, and all Orthodox Christians that departed in the hope of resurrection and life eternal, and settle them with Your saints, where the light of Your countenance shall visit them, and have mercy on us, for You are good and the Lover of mankind. Bow.
Final Prayer:
Ἄξιόν ἐστίν, Достóйно éсть:
It is truly meet to bless you, the Theotokos, ever-blessed and most blameless, and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, you do we magnify.
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. (3 times).
O Lord, bless.
Dismissal:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Your most pure Mother, our holy and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Evening prayers
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit:
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, present everywhere and filling all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, cleanse us of every stain; and save our souls, O good One.
Trisagion (Thrice Holy)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Thrice, each with the sign of the cross and a bow.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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. Thrice.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
And the celebrant says the exclamation. If there is no priest a layman says:
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us, amen.
Troparia - 6 th Tone
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for at a loss for any defence, this prayer we sinners offer to You as Master; have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us, for we have hoped in You, be not angry with us greatly, neither remember our iniquities; but look upon us now as You are compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies, for You are our God, and we, Your people; all are the works of Your hands, and we call upon Your name.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Open the doors of compassion to us, O blessed Theotokos, for hoping in you, let us not perish; through you may we be delivered from adversities, for you are the salvation of the Christian race.
Lord, have mercy. Twelve times.
Prayer I, of St. Macarius the Great
O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who have vouchsafed me to arrive at this hour, forgive me the sins that I have committed this day in deed, word, and thought; and cleanse, O Lord, my lowly soul of all impurity of flesh and spirit, and grant me, O Lord, to pass the sleep of this night in peace; that, rising from my lowly bed, I may praise Your most holy name all the days of my life, and thwart the enemies, fleshly and bodiless, that war against me. And deliver me, O Lord, from vain thoughts and evil desires which defile me. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the + Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
Prayer II, of St. Antiochus
O Ruler of all, Word of the Father, O Jesus Christ, You Who are perfect: for the sake of the plenitude of Your mercy, never depart from me, but always remain in me, Your servant. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of Your sheep, deliver me not over to the sedition of the serpent, and leave me not to the will of Satan, for the seed of corruption is in me. But You, O Lord, Worshipful God, holy King, Jesus Christ, as I sleep, guard me by the Unwaning Light, Your Holy Spirit, by Whom You sanctified Your disciples. O Lord, grant me, Your unworthy servant, Your salvation upon my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding of Your Holy Gospel; my soul with the love of Your Cross; my heart with the purity of Your word; my body, with Your passionless Passion. Keep my thought in Your humility, and raise me up at the proper time for Your glorification. For You are most glorified, together with Your unoriginate Father, and the Most Holy Spirit, unto the ages. Amen.
Prayer III, to the Holy Spirit
O Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, show compassion and have mercy on me Your sinful servant, and loose me from my unworthiness, and forgive all wherein I have sinned against You today as a man, and not only as a man, but even worse than a beast, my sins voluntary and involuntary, known and unknown, whether from youth, and from evil suggestion, or whether from brazenness and despondency. If I have sworn by Your name, or blasphemed it in my thought; or grieved anyone, or have become angry about anything; or have lied, or slept needlessly, or if a beggar has come to me and I disdained him; or if I have grieved my brother, or have quarrelled, or have condemned anyone; or if I have been boastful, or prideful, or angry; if, as I stood at prayer, my mind has been distracted by the wiles of this world, or by thoughts of depravity; or if I have over eaten, or have drunk excessively, or laughed frivolously; if I have thought evil, seen the beauty of another and been wounded thereby in my heart; if I have said improper things, or derided my brother's sin when my own sins are countless; if I have been neglectful of prayer, or have done some other wrong that I do not remember, for all of this and more than this have I done: have mercy, O Master my Creator, me Your downcast and unworthy servant, and loose me, and remit, and forgive me, for You are good and the Lover of mankind, so that, lustful, sinful, and wretched as I am, I may lie down and sleep and rest in peace. And I shall worship, and hymn, and glorify Your most honourable name, together with the Father and His Only-begotten Son, now and ever, and unto the ages. Amen.
Prayer IV, of St. Macarius the Great
What shall I offer You, or what shall I give You, O greatly-gifted, immortal King, O compassionate Lord Who loves mankind, for though I have been slothful in pleasing You, and have done nothing good, You have led me to the close of this day that is past, and established the conversion and salvation of my soul. Be merciful to me a sinner, bereft of every good deed, raise up my fallen soul which has become defiled by countless sins, and take away from me every evil thought of this visible life. Forgive my sins, O only sinless One, in which I have sinned against You this day, known or unknown, in word, and deed, and thought, and in all my senses. You Yourself protect and guard me from every opposing circumstance, by Your Divine authority and power and inexpressible love for mankind. Blot out, O God, blot out the multitude of my sins. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me from the net of the evil one, and save my passionate soul, and overshadow me with the light of Your countenance when You come in glory; and cause me, uncondemned now, to sleep a dreamless sleep, and keep Your servant untroubled by thoughts, and drive away from me all satanic deeds; and enlighten for me the eyes of my heart with understanding, lest I sleep unto death. And send me an angel of peace, a guardian and guide of my soul and body, that he may deliver me from my enemies; that, rising from my bed, I may offer You prayers of thanksgiving. Yea, O Lord, hearken unto me, Your sinful and wretched servant, in confession and conscience; grant me, when I arise, to be instructed by Your sayings; and through Your angels cause demonic despondency to be driven far from me: that I may bless Your holy name, and glorify and extol the most pure Theotokos Mary, whom You have given to us sinners as a protectress, and accept her who prays for us. For I know that she exemplifies Your love for mankind and prays for us without ceasing. Through her protection, and the sign of the precious cross, and for the sake of all Your saints, preserve my wretched soul, O Jesus Christ our God: for You are holy, and most glorious forever. Amen.
Prayer V
O Lord our God, as You are good and the Lover of mankind, forgive me wherein I have sinned today in word, deed, and thought. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep; send your guardian angel to protect me from all evil. For You are the Guardian of our souls and bodies, and unto You we send up glory: to the + Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer VI
O Lord our God, in Whom we believe, and Whose Name we invoke above every name, grant us, as we go to sleep, relaxation of soul and body, and keep us from all dreams, and dark pleasures; stop the onslaught of the passions and quench the burnings that arise in the flesh. Grant us to live chastely in deed and word, that we may obtain a virtuous life, and not fall away from Your promised blessings; for You are blessed forever. Amen.
Prayer VII, of St. John Chrysostom
May be done in an antiphonal manner
1. O Lord, deprive me not of Your heavenly good things.
2. O Lord, deliver me from the eternal torments.
3. O Lord, if I have sinned in mind or deed, forgive me.
4. O Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, forgetfulness, faintheartedness, and stony insensibility.
5. O Lord, deliver me from every temptation.
6. O Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desire has darkened.
7. O Lord, as a man I have sinned, but You, as the compassionate God, have mercy on me, seeing the infirmity of my soul.
8. O Lord, send Your grace to my help, that I may glorify Your holy name.
9. O Lord Jesus Christ, write me Your servant in the Book of Life, and grant me a good end.
10. O Lord my God, even though I have done nothing good in Your sight, yet grant me by Your grace a good beginning.
11. O Lord, sprinkle into my heart the dew of Your grace.
12. O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me Your sinful servant, shameful and unclean, in Your Kingdom, Amen.
13. O Lord, accept me in penitence.
14. O Lord, forsake me not.
15. O Lord, lead me not into temptation.
16. O Lord, grant me good thoughts.
17. O Lord, grant me tears, and remembrance of death, and compunction.
18. O Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins.
19. O Lord, grant me humility, chastity, and obedience.
20. O Lord, grant me patience, courage, and meekness.
21. O Lord, implant in me the root of good, Your fear in my heart.
22. O Lord, vouchsafe me to love You with all my soul and thoughts, and in all things to do Your will.
23. O Lord, protect me from evil men, and demons, and passions, and from every other unseemly thing.
24. O Lord, You know that You do as You will: Your will be done also in me a sinner; for You are blessed unto the ages. Amen.
Prayer VIII, to our Lord Jesus Christ
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of Your most honourable Mother, and Your bodiless angels, Your Prophet and Forerunner and Baptist, the God-Inspired apostles, the radiant and victorious martyrs, the holy and God-bearing fathers, and through the intercessions of all the saints, deliver me from the besetting presence of the demons. Yea, my Lord and Creator, Who desires not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live, grant conversion also to me, wretched and unworthy; rescue me from the mouth of the pernicious serpent who is yawning to devour me and take me down to hades alive. Yea, my Lord, my Comfort, Who for my miserable sake wast clothed in corruptible flesh, draw me out of misery, and grant comfort to my miserable soul. Implant in my heart to fulfil Your commandments, and to forsake evil deeds, and to obtain Your blessings; for in You, O Lord, have I hoped, save me.
Prayer IX, to the Most Holy Theotokos
O good Mother of the Good King, most pure and blessed Theotokos Mary, pour out the mercy of your Son and our God upon my passionate soul, and by your intercessions guide me unto good works, that I may pass the remaining time of my life without blemish, and attain paradise through you, O Virgin Theotokos, who alone are pure and blessed.
Prayer X, to the Holy Guardian Angel
Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me all wherein I have sinned this day, and deliver me from all opposing evil of my enemy lest I anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, that you may show me forth worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity, and of the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and of all the saints. Amen.
Kontakion to the Theotokos
To you the Champion Leader, we your servants dedicate a feast of victory and thanksgiving, as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos; but as you are one with might which is invincible, from all dangers that can be, deliver us, that we may cry to you: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Most glorious ever-virgin, Mother of Christ God, present our prayer to your Son and our God, that through you our souls may be saved.
All my hope I place in you, O Mother of God: keep me under your protection.
O Virgin Theotokos, disdain not me a sinner, needing your help and your protection, and have mercy on me, for my soul has hoped in you.
My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit: O Holy Trinity, glory to You.
Final Prayer:
Ἄξιόν ἐστίν, Достóйно éсть:
It is truly meet to bless you, the Theotokos, ever-blessed and most blameless and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, you do we magnify.
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. Thrice.
O Lord, bless.
The dismissal:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the intercessions of Your most pure Mother, the God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us.
But a layman says:
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Preparation for Holy Communion
Prayers in Preparation for Holy Communion
The Preceding Evening
The Following Day
Thanksgiving Prayers After Holy Communion
Preparation for Holy Communion on the Preceding Evening
The evening before receiving Holy Communion, after your evening prayers, read the following:
Psalm 22
The Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want. He has made me to dwell in a place of green pasture; beside restful waters He has nurtured me. He has converted my soul, He has led me on paths of righteousness for His mane's sake. For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff have comforted me. You have prepared a table before me in the presence of those that afflict me. You have anointed my head with oil, and how excellent is the cup which fills me! And Your 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 fullness thereof, the world and all that dwells therein. He has founded it upon the seas, and upon the rivers He has 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 has not received his soul in vain, and has 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 those who seek the Lord, of those who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your gates, O you princes; and be lifted up, you everlasting gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in war. Lift up your gates, O you princes; and be lifted up, you 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 115
I believed, wherefore I spoke; I was humbled exceedingly. As for me, I said in my ecstasy: Every man is a liar. What shall I render to the Lord for all that He has rendered unto me? I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. O Lord, I am Your servant; I am Your servant and the son of Your handmaid. You have broken my bonds asunder. I will offer a sacrifice of praise to You, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people; in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia; glory to You, O God. (3 times)
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Kanon of Preparation to Receive Holy Communion
First Ode
Come, all you people, let us all sing to Christ God, Who divided the sea, and made a way for the people which He had brought up 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. (Ps. 50:10)
May Your holy Body be for me the Bread of life everlasting, O compassionate Lord, and may Your precious Blood be a remedy for diverse maladies.
Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your holy spirit from me. (Ps. 50:11)
Defiled by unseemly deeds, wretched as I am, I am unworthy, O Christ, to partake of Your immaculate Body and divine Blood; but make me worthy of Them.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O blessed Bride of God, O good land which produced the Ear of wheat which knew no husbandry and which brings salvation to the world: grant that I who eat of it may be saved.
Third Ode
Establishing me on the rock of faith, You have enlarged my mouth over my enemies; for my spirit rejoices in chanting: there is none holy as our God, and none righteous but You, O Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50:10)
Grant me, O Christ, teardrops to cleanse the defilement of my heart, that, purified and with good conscience, I may draw near with fear and faith, O Master, to the communion of Your divine Gifts.
Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your holy spirit from me. (Ps. 50:11)
May Your immaculate Body and divine Blood be for the forgiveness of my offences, for communion with the Holy Spirit, and for life everlasting, O Friend of man, and for estrangement from passions and sorrows.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-holy one, table of the Bread of life Who for mercy's sake came down from on high and gave new life to the world, make even me, who am unworthy, worthy now with fear to taste of it and live.
Fourth Ode
You came from a virgin, not as an ambassador, nor as an angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and You saved me, the whole man. Wherefore I cry to You: Glory to Your power, O Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50:10)
O most merciful One, Who was incarnate for us, You willed to be slain as a sheep for the sins of mortals. Wherefore also, I implore You to blot out my offences.
Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your holy spirit from me. (Ps. 50:11)
Heal the wounds of my soul, O Lord, and wholly sanctify me, the wretched one, and make me worthy, O Master, to partake of Your divine mystical Supper.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Make Him Who came forth from your womb, O Lady, to be gracious also to me; and to keep me, your supplicant, blameless and free of stain, that, by receiving within me the noetic Pearl, I may be sanctified.
Fifth Ode
You Who grants light and are Lord, Creator of the ages: guide me in the light of Your commandments; for we know none other as God but You.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50:10)
As You foretold, O Christ, so let it be even now to me Your abject slave, and abide in me as You promised; for behold, I eat Your divine Body and drink Your Blood.
Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your holy spirit from me. (Ps. 50:11)
O Word of God, and God, may the live coal of Your Body be for the enlightenment of me who am darkened, and may Your Blood be for the cleansing of my defiled soul.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Mary, Mother of God, august tabernacle of the sweet Fragrance: by your prayers, make me a chosen vessel, that I may partake of the holy Gifts of your Child.
Sixth Ode
Encompassed round about by an abyss of offences, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Your compassion: raise me up from corruption, O God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50:10)
O Saviour, sanctify my mind, soul, heart, and body; and grant that without condemnation, O Master, I may approach the dread Mysteries.
Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your holy spirit from me. (Ps. 50:11)
Grant me estrangement from passions, and the increase of Your grace, and assurance of life by my participation in Your holy Mysteries, O Christ.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O Holy Word of God, and God, as I now approach Your divine Mysteries, sanctify the whole of me, by the supplications of Your holy Mother.
Kontakion
Disdain me not to receive now, O Christ, the bread which is Your Body, and Your divine Blood, and to partake, O Master, of Your immaculate and dread Mysteries; and may these not be to me, the wretched one, for judgment, but for eternal and immortal life.
Seventh Ode
When the golden image was adored in the plain of Deira, Your three children trampled underfoot the ungodly decree; and though cast into the midst of the fire, as ones refreshed they chanted: Blessed are You, the God of our fathers.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50:10)
May the reception of Your immortal Mysteries, the Source of every good, O Christ, be now light, and life, and dispassion, and the cause of furtherance and proficiency in divine virtue, O only good One, that I may glorify You.
Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your holy spirit from me. (Ps. 50:11)
That I may be redeemed from passions, enemies, want, and every affliction, I now draw near with trembling, love, and reverence to Your immortal and divine Mysteries, O Friend of man, and chant unto You: Blessed are You, the God of our fathers.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
O you who are graced of God, and who gave birth incomprehensibly to Christ the Saviour, I your slave, impure as I am, now beseech you, the pure one: from all defilement of flesh and spirit cleanse me who am now about to approach the immaculate Mysteries.
Eighth Ode
O you works, praise the Lord God Who descended into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children and changed the flame into dew; and supremely exalt Him unto all the ages.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50:10)
Grant me, who am despairing, to be a communicant now of Your heavenly, dread, and holy Mysteries, O Christ, and of Your divine and mystical Supper, O God my Saviour.
Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your holy spirit from me. (Ps. 50:11)
I flee for refuge under Your compassion, O good One, and I cry to You with fear: abide in me, O Saviour, and I in You, as You said; for behold, trusting in Your mercy, I eat Your Body and drink Your Blood.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
I tremble as I receive the Fire, lest I be burned as wax and as grass. O dread mystery! O divine compassion! How is it that I who am but clay partake of the divine Body and Blood and am made incorruptible?
Ninth Ode
Our God and Lord, the Son of the Father Who is without beginning, has appeared to us incarnate of a Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness, and to gather the dispersed; wherefore we magnify the all-hymned Theotokos.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50:10)
The Lord is good: O taste and see! For of old He became like us for our sake, and offered Himself once as an offering to His Father, and is ever slain, sanctifying those that partake of Him.
Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your holy spirit from me. (Ps. 50:11)
May I be sanctified in body and soul, O Master; may I be enlightened; may I be saved; may I become Your dwelling-place by the communion of the sacred Mysteries, having You with the Father and the Spirit abiding in me, O most merciful Benefactor.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
May Your most precious Body and Blood be to me as fire and light, O my Saviour, consuming the substance of sin and burning the thorns of my passions, and enlightening the whole of me to worship Your Divinity.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
God took flesh of your pure blood, wherefore, every generation hymns you, O Lady, and the multitudes of the noetic beings glorify you; for through you we have clearly seen the Master of all, Who assumed the nature of man.
It is truly proper to bless you, Theotokos, ever-blessed and blameless, and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim; without defilement you gave birth to God the Word, truly Theotokos, we magnify you.
Dismissal:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Your most pure Mother, our holy and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Prayers of Preparation on the Following Day
In the morning, after your morning prayers, read these prayers:
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, present everywhere and filling all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, cleanse us of every stain; and save our souls, O good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us of our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Then the following Troparia:
Overlook my iniquities, O Lord Who was born of a Virgin, and purify my heart, and make it a temple for Your immaculate Body and Blood. Do not cast me away from Your presence as one despised, O You Who has immeasurably great mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
How can I, the unworthy one, shamelessly dare to partake of Your Holy Gifts? For should I dare to approach You with those who are worthy, my vesture betrays me, for it is not fitting for the Supper, and I shall bring condemnation upon my sin-laden soul. O Lord, cleanse the defilement of my soul, and save me, since You love mankind.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Great are the multitudes of my offences, O Theotokos; I have fled to you, O pure one, and implore salvation. Visit my ailing soul, and intercede with your Son and our God that He may grant me forgiveness for the grievous deeds which I have committed, O only-blessed one.
Lord, have mercy. (40)
Didactic Verses on How One Must Approach the Immaculate Mysteries
When you, O man, are about to eat the Master's Body
draw near with fear, lest you be seared: It is Fire.
And as you drink the divine Blood unto communion,
first reconcile yourself with those who grieve you,
then, with daring, venture to eat the Mystic Food.
First Prayer of Saint Basil the Great
Master Lord Jesus Christ our God, the Source of life and immortality, Who are the Maker of all creation, both visible and invisible, the co-eternal and co-beginingless Son of the eternal Father, Who in the abundance of Your goodness were in the last days clothed in flesh, were crucified and buried for us, the ungrateful and thankless ones, and by Your own Blood refashioned our nature which had been corrupted by sin: O immortal King, accept the repentance even of me the sinner, and incline Your ear to me and hear my words. For I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against heaven and before You, and I am not worthy to gaze on the height of Your glory; for I have provoked Your goodness by transgressing Your commandments and not obeying Your ordinances.
But in Your forbearance, patience, and great mercy, You, O Lord, have not given me up to be destroyed with my sins, but You await my complete conversion.
For You Who love mankind have said through Your Prophet that You desire not the death of the sinner, but that he should return to You and live. For You do not will, O Lord, that the work of Your hands should be destroyed, neither You delight in the destruction of men, but You desire that all should be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth.
Therefore, though I am unworthy both of heaven and earth, and even of this transient life – since I have completely succumbed to sin and I am a slave to pleasure and have defaced Your image, yet being Your work and creation, wretch that I am, – even I do not despair of my salvation and dare to draw near to Your boundless compassion.
Wherefore receive even me, O Christ, Who Loves mankind, as the harlot, as the thief, as the publican, and as the prodigal; and take from me the heavy burden of my sins: You Who take away the sin of the world, Who heal men's sicknesses, Who call the weary and heavy laden to Yourself and give them rest; for You came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. And cleanse me from all defilement of flesh and spirit.
Teach me to attain perfect holiness in the fear of You, that with the clear witness of my conscience I may receive a portion of Your holy Things and be united with Your holy Body and Blood, and have You dwelling and remaining in me with the Father and Your Holy Spirit.
And, O Lord Jesus Christ, my God, do not let the communion of Your immaculate and life-giving Mysteries be to me for condemnation, nor let it make me sick in body or soul through my partaking of them unworthily; but rather grant that until my last breath I may receive a portion of Your holy Things without condemnation, for communion with the Holy Spirit, as a provision for eternal life, and as an acceptable defence at Your dread tribunal, so that I, too, with all Your elect may become a partaker of Your pure joys which You have prepared for those who love You, O Lord, in whom You are glorified throughout the ages. Amen.
Second Prayer of Saint Basil the Great
I know, O Lord, that I partake of Your immaculate Body and precious Blood unworthily, and that I am guilty, and eat and drink judgment to myself by not discerning the Body and Blood of You, my Christ and God.
But, trusting in Your compassion, I take courage and approach You, for You have said: "He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood abides in Me and I in him."
Wherefore have compassion, O Lord, and do not make an example of me, the sinner, but deal with me according to Your mercy; and let these Holy Things be for my healing, and purification, and enlightenment, and protection, and salvation, and sanctification of body and soul; for the turning away of every fantasy, and all evil practice, and diabolical activity working subconsciously in my members; for confidence and love towards You; for reformation of life and stability; for an increase of virtue and perfection; for fulfilment of the commandments; for communion with the Holy Spirit; as a provision for eternal life; and as an acceptable defence at Your dread Tribunal, not unto judgment nor unto condemnation.
Third Prayer of Saint John Chrysostom
Lord my God, I know that I am not worthy or sufficient that You should come under the roof of the house of my soul, for all is desolate and fallen, and You do not have within me a place fit to lay Your head.
But even as from on high You humbled Yourself for our sake, so now conform Yourself to my humility.
And as You consented to lie in a cave and in a manger of irrational beasts, so also consent to lie in the manger of my irrational soul and to enter my defiled body.
And as You did not disdain to enter and dine with sinners in the house of Simon the Leper, so consent also to enter the house of my humble soul which is leprous and sinful.
And as You did not reject the woman who was a harlot and a sinner like me, when she approached and touched You, so also be compassionate with me, the sinner, as I approach and touch You, and let the live coal of Your most-holy Body and precious Blood be for the sanctification, and enlightenment, and strengthening of my humble soul and body; for a relief from the burden of my many sins; for a protection from all diabolical practices; for a restraint and a check on my evil and wicked way of life; for the mortification of passions; for the keeping of Your commandments; for an increase of Your divine grace; and for the advancement of Your Kingdom.
For it is not as one insolent and presumptuous that I draw near to You, O Christ my God, but as one taking courage from Your ineffable goodness, so that having long abstained from Your communion I may not become a prey to the noetic wolf.
Therefore, I pray to You, O Lord, Who alone are holy: sanctify my soul and body, my mind and heart, my emotions and affections, and wholly renew me.
Root in my members the fear of You, and make Your sanctification indelible within me.
Be also my Helper and Defender, guide my life in peace, and make me worthy to stand on Your right hand with Your Saints; through the prayers and intercessions of Your all-pure Mother, of Your ministering Angels, of the immaculate Powers, and of all the Saints who have been well-pleasing to You. Amen.
Fourth Prayer of Saint John Chrysostom
I am not worthy, O Lord and Master, that You should enter under the roof of my soul; but since You, in Your love for men, do will to dwell in me, I take courage and I draw near.
You command: I will open wide the gates which You alone created, that You may enter with love as is Your nature, that You may enter and enlighten my darkened thought.
I believe that You will do this, for You did not banish the harlot who approached You with tears, nor did You reject the Publican who repented, nor did You drive away the thief who acknowledged Your Kingdom, nor did You abandon the repentant persecutor Paul as he was; but You established all who had been brought to You by repentance in the company of Your friends, O You Who alone are blessed always, now and to endless ages. Amen.
Fifth Prayer of Saint John Chrysostom
Lord Jesus Christ my God, loose, remit, forgive, absolve, and pardon the sins, offences and transgressions which I, Your sinful, useless and unworthy servant have committed from my youth, up to the present day and hour, whether in knowledge or in ignorance, whether by words or in deeds, whether in my intentions or in my thoughts, and whether by habit or through any of my senses.
And through the intercession of her who conceived You without seed, the all-pure and ever-virgin Mary Your Mother, my only sure hope and protection and salvation, make me worthy to receive without condemnation Your pure, immortal, life-giving and fearful Mysteries, unto forgiveness of sins and for eternal life; for sanctification, and enlightenment, and strength, and healing, and health of soul and body; and for the blotting out and complete destruction of my evil reasonings, and intentions, and prejudices, and the nocturnal fantasies of dark evil spirits.
For Yours 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 to the ages of ages. Amen.
Sixth Prayer of Saint John of Damascus
Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who alone have authority to forgive men their sins, in Your goodness and love for men overlook all my offences whether committed with knowledge or in ignorance, and make me worthy to receive without condemnation Your divine, glorious, spotless, and life-giving Mysteries, not for punishment, nor for an increase of sins, but for purification and sanctification, and as a pledge of the life and Kingdom to come, as a protection and help, for the destruction of enemies, and for the blotting out of my many transgressions.
For You are a God of mercy and compassion and love for men, and to You we send up the glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Seventh Prayer of Saint Symeon the New Theologian
From lips tainted and defiled, from a heart unclean and loathsome, from an unclean tongue, and out of a polluted soul: receive my prayer, O my Christ.
Do not reject me, nor my words, nor my ways, nor even my shamelessness, but give me courage to say what I desire, O my Christ; and even more, teach me what to do and what to say.
I have sinned more than the harlot who, on learning where You were lodging, bought myrrh and dared to come and anoint Your feet, my Christ, my Lord and my God.
As You did not repulse her when she drew near in her heart, neither, O word, reject me, but grant that I may clasp and kiss Your feet , and dare to anoint them with a flood of tears as with most-precious myrrh.
Wash me with my tears and purify me with them, O Word.
Forgive my sins and grant me pardon.
You know the multitude of my evil-doings, You also know my wounds, and You see my bruises.
But You also know my faith, and You behold my willingness, and You hear my sighs.
Nothing escapes You, my God, my Maker, my Redeemer, not even a tear-drop, nor part of a drop.
Your eyes know what I have not achieved, and in Your book things not yet done are written by You.
See my depression, and see how great is my trouble: take from me all my sins, O God of all, that with a clean heart, a trembling mind, and a contrite spirit I may partake of Your pure and all-holy Mysteries by which all who with sincerity of heart eat and drink You are quickened and deified.
For You, my Lord, have said: "Whoever eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood abides in Me and I in Him;" wholly true is the word of my Lord and God.
For whoever partakes of Your divine and deifying Gifts certainly is not alone, but is with You, my Christ, the Light of the Triune Sun Which illumines the world.
That I may not remain alone without You, the Giver of Life, my Breath, my Life, my Joy, the Salvation of the world, I have therefore drawn near to You, as You see, with tears and with a contrite spirit.
Ransom of my offences, I beseech You to receive me, that I may partake without condemnation of Your life-giving and perfect Mysteries, and that You may remain as You have said with me, thrice-wretched as I am, lest the tempter find me without Your grace and craftily seize me and, having deceived me, seduce me from Your deifying words.
Therefore I fall at Your feet and fervently cry to You: as You received the prodigal and the harlot who drew near to You, so also have compassion and receive me, the profligate and the prodigal, as I now draw near to You with a contrite spirit.
I know, O Saviour, that no other has sinned against You as I have, nor has done the deeds that I have committed.
But I also know this: that neither the greatness of my offences, nor the multitude of my sins, surpasses the great patience of my God, and His extreme love for men.
Despite our offences, You purify and enlighten with the oil of compassion those who fervently repent, and You make them children of the light and sharers of Your divine nature.
And You act most generously, for what is strange to Angels and to the minds of men You often tell to the repentant as to Your true friends.
These things make me bold, my Christ, these things give me wings, and I take courage from the wealth of Your goodness to us.
With rejoicing, yet with trembling, I who am but straw partake of Fire and, strange wonder!, I am ineffably bedewed, like the bush of old which burnt without being consumed.
Wherefore with thankful mind, and with thankful heart, and with thankfulness in all the members of my soul and body, I worship and magnify and glorify You, my God, for You are blessed, now and ever, to all ages.
Eighth Prayer of Saint Symeon Metafrastes (the Translator)
Lord, Who alone are pure and incorrupt, Who through the ineffable compassion of Your love for mankind assumed our whole nature through the pure and virgin blood of her who supernaturally conceived You by the coming of the Divine Spirit and by the will of the Eternal Father; O Christ Jesus, Wisdom and Peace and Power of God, Who in assuming our nature suffered Your life-giving and saving Passion – the Cross, the Nails, the Spear, and Death – mortify all the deadly passions of my body.
You Who in Your burial spoiled the dominions of hell, bury with good thoughts my evil schemes and scatter the spirits of wickedness.
You Who by Your life-giving Resurrection on the third day raised up our fallen first Parent, raise me up who am sunk in sin and suggest to me ways of repentance.
You Who by Your glorious Ascension deified our nature which You had assumed and honoured it by Your sitting at the right hand of the Father, make me worthy by partaking of Your holy Mysteries of a place at Your right hand among those who are saved.
You Who by the descent of the Spirit, the Paraclete, made Your holy Disciples worthy vessels, make me also a recipient of His coming.
You Who are to come again to judge the World with justice, grant me also to meet You on the clouds, my Maker and Creator, with all Your Saints, that I may unendingly glorify and praise You with Your Eternal Father and Your all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Ninth Prayer of Saint John of Damascus
I stand before the doors of Your sanctuary, yet I do not put away my terrible thoughts. But, O Christ our God, Who justified the Publican, and Who had mercy on the Canaanite woman, and opened the gates of Paradise to the Thief, open to me the depths of Your love for mankind, and as I approach and touch You, receive me like the Harlot and the woman with an issue of blood.
For the one easily received healing by touching the hem of Your garment, and the other obtained release from her sins by clasping Your sacred feet.
And I, deplorable as I am, dare to receive Your whole Body; may I not be burnt, but receive me even as You did these.
And enlighten the senses of my soul, and burn up the indictments of my sins, by the intercessions of her who bore You without seed, and of the Heavenly Hosts, for You are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers of Holy Communion:
I believe, Lord, and I confess, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Moreover, I believe that this is Your immaculate Body, and that this is Your precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray to You: have mercy on me, and forgive me my transgressions, those voluntary and involuntary, those in word, those in deed, those in knowledge and those in ignorance; and make me worthy to partake of Your immaculate Mysteries without condemnation, for the remission of sins and life everlasting. Amen.
Approaching for Holy Communion, read the following verses from Saint Symeon the Translator:
Behold, I approach for divine Communion;
Creator, burn me not as I partake;
For You are Fire, which burns the unworthy.
But, rather, cleanse me from every impurity.
Then the following Troparion:
Of Your Mystical Supper, Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Your enemies; nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief I confess You: Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom!
Then again the following verses:
Be awe-stricken, O man, beholding the deifying Blood;
For it is a lighted Coal that burns the unworthy.
The divine Body both deifies and nourishes me;
It deifies the spirit, and wondrously nourishes the mind.
And these Troparia:
You have smitten me with yearning, O Christ, and by Your divine zeal You have changed me; but burn away my sins with immaterial Fire, and make me worthy to be filled with delight in You; that, leaping for joy, O good One, I may magnify Your two comings.
Into the brilliant company of Your saints, how shall I the unworthy enter? For if I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my garment betrays me, for it is not a wedding garment, and I shall be bound and cast out by the Angels; Lord, cleanse my soul of pollution, and save me, for You love mankind.
And the following Prayer:
Master, Who loves mankind, Lord Jesus Christ my God, do not let these Holy Things be to me for judgment because of my unworthiness, but rather may they be for 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 to God, to put my hope of salvation in the Lord.
And again:
Of Your Mystical Supper, Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Your enemies; nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief I confess You: Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom! Remember me, Master, when You come into Your Kingdom! Remember me, Holy One, when You come into Your Kingdom!
Prayers of Thanksgiving After Receiving Holy Communion
When you have had your due and rightful part in these life-giving and mystical Gifts immediately give praise and great thanks and with a fervent soul say to God:
Glory to You, O God. Glory to You, O God. Glory to You, O God.
Anonymous author
I thank You, Lord my God, that You have not rejected me, a sinner, but have made me worthy to partake of Your holy Mysteries. I thank You that You have granted me, although I am unworthy, to partake of Your most-pure and heavenly Gifts. Master Who loves mankind, Who died and rose for our sake, and granted to us these awesome and life-giving Mysteries for the well-being and sanctification of our souls and bodies, let these Gifts be for the healing of both soul and body, for the averting of every evil, 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 observing of Your commandments, for an increase of Your divine grace, and for the attainment of Your kingdom. Preserved by them in Your holiness, may I always remember Your grace and no longer live for myself, but for You, our Master and Benefactor. And thus, when I depart this life in the hope of eternal life, may I attain everlasting rest, where the sound of those that keep festival is unceasing, and the delight of those who behold the ineffable beauty of Your countenance is unending. For You are the true joy and inexpressible gladness of those who love You, Christ our God, and all creation hymns You to the ages. Amen.
Of Saint Basil the Great
Master Christ God, King of the ages and Creator of all things, I thank You for all the good gifts You have given me, and especially for the communion of Your pure and life-giving Mysteries. I therefore pray to You good Lord Who loves mankind: keep me under the protection and in the shadow of Your wings; grant that even to my last breath I may with a pure conscience partake worthily of Your Holy Gifts for the remission of sins and for eternal life. For You are the Bread of life, the Source of holiness, the Giver of good things, and to You we send up glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Of Saint Symeon Metafrastes (the Translator)
You Who have willingly given me Your Flesh as food, Who are a burning fire to the unworthy, do not consume me. No, my Creator; rather penetrate into my members, all my joints, my organs, and my heart. Burn all my iniquities like thorns; cleanse my soul, make holy my thoughts, make firm my knees and my bones as well. Illumine my five senses and make vigilant my entire being with the fear of You. Watch over me always; shield and protect me from every deed and word which corrupts the soul. Cleanse me, purify me, and put me in order; adorn me, give me understanding, and illumine me. Show me to be the dwelling of Your Spirit alone, and not the dwelling place of sin; so that when You enter into the home of Your communion, every evil doer and every passion will flee from me as from fire. As intercessors I bring to You all the saints, the chiefs of the bodiless hosts, Your Forerunner, the wise Apostles, and moreover Your immaculate and pure Mother; accept their prayers, My compassionate Christ, and make Your servant a child of light. For in Your goodness You alone sanctify and enlighten our souls, and to You, our God and Master, as is right we send up glory every day.
Anonymous
Lord Jesus Christ our God, let Your sacred Body be to me for eternal life, and Your precious Blood for the remission of sins. Let this Eucharist be to me for joy, health and gladness. And at Your dread Second Coming make me, a sinner, worthy to stand at the right hand of Your glory; through the intercessions of Your all-pure Mother and of all the saints. Amen.
Anonymous Prayer to the Mother of God
All-holy Lady, Theotokos, light of my darkened soul, my hope, shelter, refuge, comfort, and joy: I thank You, for you have deemed me, the unworthy one, worthy to partake of the most-pure Body and precious Blood of your Son. You who gave birth to the true Light, enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart; you who conceived the Source of immortality, revive me who am dead in sin; you who are the lovingly-compassionate Mother of the merciful God, have mercy on me and grant me compunction and contrition in my heart, humility in my thoughts and the recall of my thoughts from captivity. And grant me, until my last breath, to receive without condemnation the sanctification of the most-pure Mysteries for the healing of both soul and body. Grant me tears of repentance and confession that I may hymn and glorify you all the days of my life. For you are blessed and most-glorified to the ages. Amen.
Hymn of Symeon the Just:
Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel. (Luke 2:29–32)
The Trisagion Prayers:
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us of our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your 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, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim, the one who incorruptibly gave birth to God the Word, truly the Theotokos, we magnify you.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
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