Prayers before Holy Communion
The prayers before Communion may be read at any time before Communion, but we should try not to leave them for church, during the service itself. It is therefore better to begin reading them the evening before, after a light supper. These prayers take quite a long time to read, and if a person finds it hard — through tiredness or some infirmity — the prayers may be divided. In that case, the evening before we read the nine odes of the Communion canon and the psalms, and the next day the remaining twelve prayers. The prayers may also be divided into three parts, as need requires and as one is able.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things with Thy grace, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One. *
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (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.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, deliver us and release 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. (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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 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 our God.
Have mercy upon 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 am conscious of mine iniquity; and my sin is continually before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done evil before thee: that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me. For, behold, thou lovest truth: thou hast manifested to me the secret and hidden things of thy wisdom. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt cause me to hear gladness and joy: the afflicted bones shall rejoice. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in my inward parts. Cast me not away from thy presence; and remove not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation: establish me with thy directing Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and ungodly men shall turn to thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall joyfully declare thy righteousness. O Lord, thou shalt open my lips; and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou desiredst sacrifice, I would have given it: thou wilt not take pleasure in whole-burnt-offerings. Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, to Sion in thy good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shalt thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, offering, and whole-burnt-sacrifices: then shall they offer calves upon thine altar.
Come, O ye people, let us sing a song to Christ, who by a wonder delivered His people from bondage in Egypt; let us sing a song of victory, for He is glorified.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
May Thy holy Body, O merciful Lord, and Thy precious Blood be to me the bread of eternal life, and the healing of manifold diseases, as Thou art merciful:
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Of Thine all-precious Blood, O Master, and of Thine all-holy Body make me worthy, unworthy though I am, to partake, eating and drinking with longing and with faith, as Thou art merciful.
Glory…
I, the wretched one, have defiled myself with evil deeds: make me, unworthy as I am, worthy once more of the communion of Thine incorrupt Body and Thy divine Blood, as Thou art merciful:
Both now…
O good land, O blessed Bride of God, who without tillage didst bring forth the Ear of grain for the life of the world: make me worthy to eat thereof, that I may be saved and magnify thee:
Establish me on the rock of faith, and enlarge my mouth over mine enemies, and gladden my soul, that I may cry unto Thee, O only One: for there is none holy but Thee, our God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Grant me streams of tears, O Christ, to cleanse the defilements of my heart, that, enlightened by a pure conscience, I may come with faith and fear, O Master, to the communion of Thy Mysteries.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
May Thine incorrupt Body and Thy divine Blood be unto me for the remission of my sins, for the communion of the Holy Spirit and for life eternal, O Lover of mankind, and my deliverance and salvation from passions and afflictions.
Glory…
Make us worthy, O Lord, to partake of Thy Body without condemnation, and of Thy precious Blood for the cleansing of souls and bodies; and may it be to me the enlightening of the mind, that I may magnify, O Christ, Thy goodness.
Both now…
O all-holy Table of the Bread of life, which came down from heaven for mercy’s sake and bestoweth new life upon the world: make me also, unworthy as I am, worthy now to taste of it with fear, that I may be saved.
Not an angel, but the Lord Himself, God incarnate, didst Thou come to us from the Virgin, and didst save us wholly, who cry: Glory to Thy power.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
When Thou didst will to take flesh for our sake, O most merciful Lord, Thou wast offered as a sheep for the sins of men; wherefore I entreat Thee: blot out my transgressions 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 me wholly, and make me, the wretched one, worthy, O Master, to partake of Thy Mysteries at Thy divine Supper.
Glory…
Let us all stand, then, with fear and trembling and reverence; let us hold the eyes of the soul on high, and cry unto the Saviour: Establish us and make us understanding in Thy fear, O merciful God.
Both now…
Make thy good Son merciful unto me, O Lady, and keep me, thy servant, undefiled and blameless and unharmed, that I may receive the spiritual Pearl and be made holy.
O Giver of light and Creator of the ages, O Lord, establish us in the light of Thy commandments; for besides Thee, O Good One, we know no other God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
As Thou didst say before, O Christ, be now with me, Thy lowly servant, and abide in me, as Thou didst promise; for lo, 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 Thy holy Body be to me a live coal, enlightening me who am darkened, and Thy Blood the cleansing of the defilement of my soul.
Glory…
My soul is defiled and my lips are unclean, and now I am not able to draw near to Thee, O Christ, and to receive Thy Body; but do Thou make me worthy.
Both now…
O Mary, Mother of God, fair dwelling-place of fragrance, by thy prayers show me forth a chosen vessel, that I may partake of the divine holy things of thy Son.
The storm of sin hath overwhelmed me, and I flee to Thy great mercy: bring me up from the deep, O Good One, O my God, I pray Thee.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Sanctify my mind, soul and heart, O Saviour, and my body also, and make me worthy, O Master, to approach Thy dread Mysteries without condemnation.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
That I may become a stranger to the passions by Thy grace, and be counted worthy to have and to gain firmness of mind, through the communion of Thy holy Mysteries.
Glory…
With fear and trembling let us all draw near to the divine Mysteries of the King, and receive His holy Body, His holy and all-precious Blood.
Both now…
O God and Word of God, O Holy One, sanctify me wholly as I now approach Thy divine Mysteries, through the supplication of Thy holy Mother:
May the receiving of Thy divine Body and Blood, O Christ, be to me for cleansing; let not this communion be to my condemnation, nor to my guilt, but for the cleansing of the defilement of soul and body, and for communion of life eternal and immortality.
Because of the golden image that was worshipped in the plain of Deira, the three youths despised the fear of the tyrant; and cast into the furnace and bedewed, they cried and said: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, God of our fathers:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
The communion of Thine immortal Mysteries, O Christ, is a fountain of goodness: may it now be to me a fountain of goodness, the light of dispassion, holiness unto virtue, and the bestowal of progress and increase, O only Good One, that I may magnify Thee.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
That I may be delivered from the passions of the enemy, from straits and from all pains, with fear, love and longing, O Lover of mankind, I now flee to Thine immortal and divine Mystery, and sing to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, God of our fathers.
Glory…
O my wretched soul, O passionate soul, tremble as thou beholdest the glorious Mystery. Weep with sighing, beating thy breast; cry out and say: O God, cleanse me from my sins, as Thou didst the harlot, O God of our fathers:
Both now…
O thou who beyond understanding didst bear Christ the Saviour, O thou who art full of divine grace, I, thine unclean servant, entreat thee, the holy one, with compunction: as I now desire to draw near to the most holy Mysteries, cleanse me from all defilement of flesh and spirit.
Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, the God who came down into the furnace for the Hebrew youths and changed the fire into dew, and exalt Him unto the ages:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Of the holy, heavenly and dread Mystery, and of the divine Supper, make me now worthy to partake in a mystery, despairing though I am, O Christ God, my Saviour.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
I flee to Thy mercy, O Good One, and cry with fear: Abide in me, O Saviour, and I in Thee, as Thou hast said; for lo, trusting in Thy mercies, I eat Thy Body and drink Thy Blood.
Glory…
I tremble to receive the fire, lest I be burned up like wax and like grass. O dread Mystery! O mercy of God! How shall I, who am clay, partake of the divine Body and Blood and be made immortal?
Both now…
The divine Bread of life, O Mother of God, was truly baked in thy womb, and kept thee unharmed, O immaculate one. Wherefore, as our Nourisher, we all sing to thee unto the ages.
From the Father without beginning the Son of God appeared from the Virgin, and was made flesh as our Deliverer. He enlighteneth them that are darkened and gathereth together them that are scattered, that with faith we may magnify her that bore Him:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Taste and see that Christ is the Lord, who for our sake came made like unto us, and shall come again; once for all He offered Himself as a sacrifice to His own Father, and ever is He slain, sanctifying them that partake of Him:
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Sanctify my soul together with my body, O Master, and enlighten it divinely, that it may become Thy dwelling and partake of Thy Mysteries in holiness, O Thou who art one in essence with the Father and with Thy Spirit, O Benefactor who knowest all, rich in mercy:
Glory…
May Thy Body and Thy precious Blood, O my Saviour, be to me as fire and as light, burning up the matter of sin and consuming the thorns of the passions, and enlighten me wholly, who worship Thy Divinity.
Both now…
God took flesh of thy pure blood, O Lady; wherefore every generation singeth to thee, and the multitude of spiritual beings glorifieth thee, for through thee they clearly behold the King of all in the nature of men.
It is truly meet that we should magnify thee, O Theotokos, who art ever-blessed and all-immaculate and the Mother of our God. Thee, more honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the only Theotokos, we magnify in song.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (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.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, deliver us and release 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. (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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The troparion of the day or of the feast; but if it is an Alleluia day, these:
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for, being without any defence, this supplication do we sinners offer to Thee, the good Master: have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, have mercy on us, for in Thee have we put our trust; be not exceedingly angry with us, neither remember our iniquities; but look upon us in mercy, as Thou art good, and deliver us from Thy just wrath; for Thou art our God and we are Thy people; we are all the work of Thy hands, and Thy name is called upon us: have mercy on us.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Open unto us the door of mercy, O blessed Theotokos, that we who trust in thee may not fall, but be delivered from the enemies that oppose us; for thou art the salvation of the Christian race.
Lord, have mercy. (Forty times)
O immaculate, undefiled, incorrupt Bride of God, O Lady, who by thy glorious birth-giving didst unite men with God, and didst join the rejected nature of our race to the heavenly powers; O Hope of the hopeless, Helper of the embattled, ready Protector of those who flee to thee, and Refuge of all Christians.
Abhor me not, a sinner, who by gathering foul desires have wholly estranged myself in word and deed, and knowingly have become a slave to pleasure and sloth; but as one who lovest mankind, and the Mother of God who loveth mankind, have mercy on me, the prodigal and sinner. Accept my supplication offered from defiled lips, thou who with motherly boldness beholdest thy Son, our King and Lord; accept it, that He may open to me the bowels of His goodness and love for mankind, and overlook my countless transgressions.
Turn me to repentance, and show me a tried worker of His commandments; and be to me a lover of good, ever compassionate and merciful, and in this present life a fervent guardian and helper, driving away the hostile powers and guiding me to salvation; and at the hour of my departure help my wretched soul, and drive far from me the dark faces of the evil demons.
And on that dread day of judgement deliver me from eternal torment, and show me an heir of the ineffable glory of thy Son and our God — which may we attain, O Lady, most holy Theotokos, by the help and mediation of thine only-begotten Son, our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom is due all glory, honour and worship, together with the Father and the All-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
And on the morrow, after the usual prayer of the Hours, he who wishes to receive Communion says “Blessed is…”, thus:
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things with Thy grace, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One. *
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (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.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, deliver us and release 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. (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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory…, Both now…
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 our God.
The Lord tends me as a shepherd, and I shall want nothing. In a place of green grass, there he has made me dwell: he has nourished me by the water of rest. He has restored my soul: he has guided me into the paths of righteousness, for his name's sake. Yea, even if I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of evils: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, these have comforted me. Thou hast prepared a table before me in presence of them that afflict me: thou hast thoroughly anointed my head with oil; and thy cup cheers me like the best wine. Thy mercy also shall follow me all the days of my life: and my dwelling shall be in the house of the Lord for a very long time.
The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and all that dwell in it. He has founded it upon the seas, and prepared it upon the rivers. Who shall go up to the mountain of the Lord, and who shall stand in his holy place? He that is innocent in his hands and pure in his heart; who has not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek the face of the God of Jacob. Pause. Lift up your gates, ye princes, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the king of glory shall come in. Who is this king of glory? the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your gates, ye princes; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the king of glory shall come in. Who is this king of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is this king of glory.
I believed, wherefore I have spoken: but I was greatly afflicted. And I said in mine amazement, Every man is a liar. What shall I render to the Lord for all the things wherein he has rewarded me? I will take the cup of salvation, and 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 thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast burst my bonds asunder. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of praise, and will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord, in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, Jerusalem.
Glory…, Both now…
Alleluia (thrice). Three prostrations.
Overlook my iniquities, O Lord who wast born of the Virgin, and cleanse my heart, and make me a temple of Thine incorrupt Body and Blood; cast me not away from Thy presence, O Thou who alone hast great mercy.
Glory…
How shall I, the unworthy, dare to partake of Thy holy things? For if I dare to approach Thee with the worthy, my garment convicteth me, for it is not the garment of the Supper, and condemnation and reproof are mine. Cleanse, O Lord, the defilement of my much-sinning soul, and save me, as Thou art the Lover of mankind:
Both now…
Countless are the multitudes of my sins, O holy Theotokos; to thee I flee, O immaculate Virgin, and ask for mercy. Look upon the wound of my soul, and entreat thy Son and our God to forgive my countless offences, O only blessed one:
When the glorious disciples were enlightened at the washing of the Supper, then the lawless Judas was darkened with the sickness of the love of silver, and delivered Thee, the righteous Judge, to lawless judges. Behold, O ye faithful, this lover of money, who for its sake hanged himself; and flee from that insatiable sickness which dared such things against its own Teacher. O Christ God, who orderest all things in wisdom, O Lover of mankind, glory to Thee.
Lord, have mercy (forty times), and as many prostrations as thou wilt.
When thou wouldest receive the Master’s Body, O man, draw near with fear, lest thou be burned, for it is fire; and when thou wouldest drink the divine Blood and be united with it, first be reconciled with those who have grieved thee, and so, with hope, go forth to eat the Mystery.
O Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, Fountain of life and immortality, Creator of all creation, visible and invisible, co-eternal with the unoriginate Father, O Son co-unoriginate with Him, who in Thy great goodness in the last days didst clothe Thyself in flesh, and wast crucified and slain for us, ungrateful and evil-doing as we are, and by Thine own Blood didst renew our nature corrupted by sin: do Thou Thyself, O immortal King, accept the repentance of me a sinner, and incline Thine ear unto me and hear my words. For I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against heaven, and I am not worthy to look up to the height of Thy glory; for I have angered Thy goodness and transgressed Thy commandments, and have not hearkened to Thine ordinances. But Thou, O Lord, who rememberest not evil, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, hast not given me over to perish with my iniquities, ever awaiting my conversion. For Thou, O Lover of mankind, didst say by Thy prophet: “I have no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but that he turn and live.” For Thou dost not will, O Master, that the work of Thy hands should perish, neither art Thou pleased with the destruction of men, but Thou willest that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Wherefore, though I am unworthy of heaven and earth and of this passing life, having wholly subjected myself to sin and enslaved myself to pleasures, and having made Thine image unprofitable, yet, since I am Thy work and Thy creation, I do not despair of my own salvation, wretch that I am, but draw near with boldness to Thy boundless mercy. Receive me also, then, O Lord, Lover of mankind, as Thou didst the harlot, the thief, the publican and the prodigal, and take away the heavy burden of my sins, O Thou who takest away the sins of the world and healest the infirmities of men, and callest the weary and heavy-laden to Thyself for rest; who camest not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance: cleanse me from all defilement of flesh and spirit, and teach me to perfect holiness in Thy fear, that with the pure witness of my conscience, receiving a portion of Thy holy things, I may be united to Thy holy Body and Blood, and may have Thee dwelling and abiding in me, with the Father and Thy Holy Spirit. Yea, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, let not the communion of Thy most pure and life-giving Mysteries be unto me for judgement, nor let me become infirm in soul and body through partaking of them unworthily; but grant me, until my last breath, to receive without condemnation a portion of Thy holy things, unto communion of the Holy Spirit, as provision for the journey of life eternal, and as a good defence before Thy dread judgement seat; that I too, with all Thine elect, may become a partaker of Thine incorruptible good things, which Thou hast prepared for them that love Thee, O Lord, in whom Thou art glorified unto the ages. Amen.
O Lord my God, I know that I am not worthy, nor sufficient, that Thou shouldest come under the roof of the house of my soul, for it is wholly desolate 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, so now also accept my humility; and as Thou didst consent to be born in a cave and to lie in a manger of dumb beasts, so also consent to enter the manger of my dumb soul and my defiled body. And as Thou didst not disdain to enter and to sup with sinners in the house of Simon the leper, so also be pleased to enter into the house of my lowly soul, leprous and sinful. And as Thou didst not cast out the harlot, a sinner like me, who came and touched Thee, so receive me also, a sinner, who come and touch Thee. And as Thou didst not abhor her defiled and unclean mouth that kissed Thee, abhor not my mouth, more defiled and more unclean than hers, nor my foul and unclean lips, nor my defiled and impure tongue; but may the live coal of Thine all-holy Body and Thine incorrupt Blood be to me for sanctification and enlightenment and the health of my lowly soul and body, for the lightening of the burden of my many sins, for a safeguard against every working of the devil, for the overcoming and hindering of my evil and wicked habits, for the mortifying of the passions, for the keeping of Thy commandments, for the increase of Thy divine grace and for the inheriting of Thy kingdom. Not as one who despises Thee do I come to Thee, O Christ God, but as one who takes courage in Thine ineffable goodness, lest, long withdrawing from Thy communion, I become the prey of the spiritual wolf. Wherefore I entreat Thee, for Thou alone art holy, O Master: sanctify my soul and body, mind and heart, reins and inward parts, and renew me wholly; implant Thy fear in my members, and let Thy sanctification never depart from me; be Thou my helper and protector, guide my life in peace, and make me worthy to stand at Thy right hand with Thy saints, through the prayers and supplications of Thy most holy Mother, of Thy bodiless ministers and incorrupt powers, and of all Thy saints who from the ages have been well-pleasing unto Thee. Amen.
O only holy and incorrupt Lord, who through the ineffable mercy of Thy love for mankind didst take our whole substance from the holy and virginal blood, and wast born beyond nature by the coming of the divine Spirit and the good pleasure of the everlasting Father; O Christ Jesus, Wisdom of God, Peace and Power, who in Thy humility didst accept the life-giving and saving passion — the Cross, the nails, the spear and death: mortify the passions of the flesh that corrupt my soul. Thou who by Thy burial didst despoil the kingdom of hell, bury my evil imaginings by good thoughts, and scatter the spirits of evil. Thou who by Thy life-bearing Resurrection on the third day didst raise up our fallen forefather, raise me up also, who have stumbled through sin, setting before me the ways of repentance. Thou who by Thy glorious Ascension didst deify the flesh which Thou hadst taken, and didst honour it by sitting at the right hand of the Father, make me worthy, through the communion of Thy holy Mysteries, to obtain a place at the right hand among the saved. Thou who by the coming of the Comforter, Thy Spirit, didst make Thy sacred disciples precious vessels, show me also a recipient and partaker of their grace. Thou who art to come again to judge the world in righteousness, be pleased that I also may meet Thee on the clouds, my Judge and Creator, with all Thy saints, that I may unceasingly glorify and praise Thee, with Thine unoriginate Father and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
As though standing before Thy dread and impartial judgement seat, O Christ God, receiving condemnation and giving account for my evil deeds, so today, before the coming of the day of my condemnation, I stand before Thee at Thy holy altar, and before Thy dread and holy angels; condemned by my own conscience, I bring forward my evil and lawless deeds, and I reveal and expose them. Behold, O Lord, my humility, and forgive me all my sins. Behold, for my iniquities are multiplied more than the hairs of my head. For what evil have I not done? What sin have I not committed? What wickedness have I not imagined in my soul? And in deed also I have committed fornication, adultery, pride, arrogance, swearing, blasphemy, idle talk, unseemly laughter, drunkenness, gluttony, dissipation, hatred, envy, love of money, love of possessions, covetousness, self-love, love of glory, robbery, injustice, shameful gain, jealousy, cursing, iniquity; all my senses and all my members I have defiled, corrupted and made unprofitable, and have wholly become a dwelling of the demons. And Thou knowest, O Lord, that my iniquities are gone over my head; but countless is the multitude of Thy compassions, and the mercy of Thine ineffable goodness that rememberest not evil, and there is no sin that overcometh Thy love for mankind. Wherefore, O all-wondrous King, O Lord who rememberest not evil, make wondrous Thy mercy upon me a sinner. Show me the power of Thy sweetness, and reveal to me the strength of Thy tender compassion, and receive me, a sinner, as I turn back, as Thou didst receive the prodigal, the thief and the harlot. Receive me also, who have sinned against Thee beyond measure in word and deed, in unseemly desires and senseless thoughts. And as Thou didst receive those who came at the eleventh hour, who had done nothing worthy of a reward, so receive me also, a sinner; for I have sinned greatly and defiled myself, and grieved Thy Holy Spirit, and embittered Thy compassionate heart, in deed, word and thought, by night and by day, openly and in secret, willingly and unwillingly. And I know that Thou wilt set my sins before me, such as I have committed, and wilt require of me an account of those which I have knowingly sinned without excuse. But, O Lord, O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy just judgement, neither chasten me in Thine anger. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am not only weak, but I am Thy creature. Thou, O Lord, didst establish Thy fear in me, yet I have done evil in Thy sight; against Thee only have I sinned. But I pray Thee, enter not into judgement with Thy servant. For if Thou shouldest render to me according to my iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall endure it? For I am an abyss of sin, and I am not worthy nor sufficient to look up and behold the height of heaven, because of the multitude of my sins, which are without number. For every evil speaking, and devilish craft, and corruption, jealousy, sodomy, corruption of the young, remembrance of wrongs, a senseless schooling in sin, and other passions numbering in the thousands have not been wanting in me. For with what sin have I not corrupted myself? With what evil have I not been seized? Every sin have I committed, every uncleanness have I imagined in my soul; I have become unprofitable to Thee my God and to men. Who shall raise me up, fallen as I am through transgressions into such evils? O Lord my God, in Thee do I trust. If there is yet hope of salvation for me, let Thy love for mankind overcome the multitude of my iniquities. Be Thou my Saviour, and according to Thy mercy and Thy compassion relieve me. Forgive, pardon me all wherein I have sinned against Thee, for my soul is filled with many evils, and there is no hope of salvation in me. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy, and abhor me not according to my works, and judge me not according to my deeds, but convert me, help me, and deliver my soul from its evil assaults and from grievous errors. Save me for Thy mercy’s sake, that where sin hath abounded, there Thy grace may much more abound, and I may praise and glorify Thee at all times, all the days of my life. For Thou art the God of the penitent and the Saviour of them that sin, and to Thee we send up glory, with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, who alone hast authority to forgive men their sins, as Thou art good and the Lover of mankind, overlook all my transgressions, committed knowingly and in ignorance, and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thy divine, glorious, incorrupt and life-giving Mysteries — not unto heaviness, nor unto torment, nor unto the increase of sins, but unto cleansing and sanctification, and as a pledge of the life and kingdom to come, as a wall and a help, unto the overthrow of adversaries and the blotting out of my many transgressions. For Thou art the God of mercy and compassion and love for mankind, and to Thee we send up glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I know, O Lord, that I receive Thine incorrupt Body and Thy precious Blood unworthily, and that I am guilty, and eat and drink condemnation to myself, not discerning the Body and Blood of Thee, my Christ and God. But trusting in Thy mercy I come boldly to Thee who hast said: “He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood dwelleth in Me, and I in him.” Be merciful, then, O Lord, and rebuke me not, a sinner, but deal with me according to Thy mercy; and may these holy things be to me for healing, purification and enlightenment, for protection and salvation, and for the sanctification of soul and body; for the overcoming of every fantasy and evil deed and working of the devil that worketh in my members through the mind; for boldness and love towards Thee; for the amendment of life; for unerring increase in virtue and the fulfilling and perfecting of the commandments; for communion of the Holy Spirit, as provision for life eternal, and as a good defence before Thy dread throne — not unto judgement nor unto condemnation.
From defiled lips, from an abominable heart, from an unclean tongue, from a polluted soul, accept my supplication, O my Christ, and disdain not my words, nor my ways, nor my shamelessness. Grant me to say boldly what I desire, O my Christ; nay rather, teach me what I ought to do and say. I have sinned more than the harlot: show me where Thou lodgest, and buying myrrh I will come boldly to anoint Thy feet, my Christ, my King and God. As Thou didst not drive her away when she came, neither abhor me in Thy heart, O Word; give me Thy feet to clasp and to kiss with streams of tears, and with these, as with most precious myrrh, boldly to anoint them. Wash me with my tears; cleanse me with them, O Word. Forgive my transgressions and grant me pardon. Thou knowest the multitude of my evils, Thou knowest my wounds, and Thou seest my sores; but Thou knowest also my faith, and seest my willingness, and hearest my sighs. Nothing is hidden from Thee, my God, my Maker, my Redeemer — not a drop of tears, nor any part of a drop. What I have not yet done, Thine eyes have seen, and in Thy book all things are written. See my lowliness, see how great my toil, and all my sins forgive me, O God, every one; that with a purified heart, a trembling mind and a contrite spirit I may partake of Thine incorrupt and all-holy Mysteries, by which all who eat and drink with a pure heart are deified and quickened; for Thou, my Master, hast said: Whosoever eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood abideth in Me, and I in him. True in every way is the word of my Master and God; and I, who attain to the divine and deifying graces, am not by myself, but through Thee, my Christ, who enlightenest the world with the thrice-radiant Light. That I may not be alone, without Thee, the Giver of life, my breath, my life, the Saviour of the world, therefore have I come to Thee, as Thou seest, with tears and a contrite spirit, asking to receive deliverance from my transgressions, and to partake without condemnation of Thy life-giving and blameless Mysteries, that Thou mayest abide, as Thou hast said, with me, thrice-wretched as I am; lest the deceiver find me without Thy grace, and craftily seize me, and having beguiled me, draw me away from Thy deifying words. Therefore I fall down before Thee and fervently cry to Thee: As Thou didst receive the prodigal and the harlot who came to Thee, so receive me also, the harlot and prodigal, O Merciful One, who now come to Thee with a contrite spirit. I know, O Saviour, that none other hath sinned against Thee as I, nor hath done the deeds that I have done; but this also I know, that neither the greatness of transgressions nor the multitude of sins surpasseth the great long-suffering and love for mankind of my God; but with mercy and compassion Thou dost purify and enlighten those who fervently repent, and makest them light through communion, partakers of Thy Divinity incorruptibly; and — strange to angels and to the minds of men — Thou conversest with them often, as with Thine own friends. These things make me bold, these things uphold me, O my Christ. And trusting in the riches of Thy benefactions towards me, rejoicing and trembling at once, I, who am grass, partake of fire; and — strange wonder! — I am bedewed without being burned, as of old the bush burned without being consumed. Now with thankful mind, with thankful heart, with thankful members and with my body, I worship and magnify and glorify Thee, my God, for blessed art Thou, now and unto the ages. Amen.
O God, relieve, remit and forgive me my transgressions, wherein I have sinned against Thee, in deed or word or thought, willingly or unwillingly, knowingly or in ignorance: forgive me all, as Thou art good and the Lover of mankind. Through the intercessions of Thy most pure Mother, of Thy spiritual ministers and the holy powers, and of all the saints who from the ages have been well-pleasing unto Thee, be pleased that I may receive without condemnation Thy holy and incorrupt Body and Thy precious Blood, for the healing of soul and body, and for the blotting out of my evil thoughts. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I am not sufficient, O Master and Lord, that Thou shouldest enter under the roof of my soul; but since Thou, as the Lover of mankind, willest rather to dwell in me, I draw near with boldness. Command that the door be opened, O Thou who alone art the Creator, and enter, as Thou art the Lover of mankind. Enter then, and enlighten my darkened mind. I believe that Thou wilt do this; for Thou didst not drive away the harlot who came to Thee with tears, nor didst Thou reject the thief who acknowledged Thy kingdom, nor didst Thou forsake the persecutor when he repented; but all who came to Thee in repentance Thou didst set in the company of Thy friends, O Thou who alone art blessed always, now and unto endless ages. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ my God, relieve, remit, have mercy and forgive me, Thy sinful, unprofitable and unworthy servant, my transgressions, sins and falls, whatever I have sinned against Thee from my youth unto this present day and hour, whether knowingly or in ignorance, whether in word or deed, or in desire and thought, and by inclination, and with all my senses. Through the intercessions of her who seedlessly bore Thee, the most pure and ever-virgin Mary, Thy Mother, our only unashamed hope, mediatress and salvation, make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thine all-holy, immortal, life-giving and dread Mysteries, for the remission of sins and for life eternal, for sanctification, strength, healing and health of soul and body, and for the blotting out and complete destruction of my evil thoughts and desires, taken in from of old, and of the fantasies of the night, and of the dark and evil spirits. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, with the Father and Thy Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Before the doors of Thy temple I stand, and I do not depart from evil thoughts. But Thou, O Christ God, who didst justify the publican, and have mercy on the Canaanite woman, and open the gates of Paradise to the thief, open to me also the bowels of Thy love for mankind; receive me also as I come and touch Thee, as Thou didst the harlot and the woman with an issue of blood. For the one, touching the hem of Thy garment, received healing of her sickness, and the other, clasping Thine immaculate feet, obtained release from sin. But I, the wretched one, dare to receive Thy whole Body: let me not be burned, but receive me as Thou didst them, and enlighten the senses of my soul, burning up my inclinations to sin, through the intercessions of her who seedlessly bore Thee and of the heavenly powers; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I thank Thee, O Lord, Father of mercies and God of all comfort. I sing to Thee, O Jesus Christ, Son and Word of God, who wast made man for the salvation of the race of men. I magnify Thee, O Heavenly King, Holy Spirit, Giver of life, Sanctifier of our souls and bodies, God Almighty. O perfect Trinity, unfailing, incomprehensible, ineffable, unoriginate, our God, who hast made me, the unworthy, worthy to stand at Thy holy altar at this dread hour of the offering of this holy and awesome sacrifice of Thine: I entreat Thee, O Lord, Lover of mankind, make me, Thy poor, all-unworthy and sinful servant, worthy to partake worthily and in holiness of Thine incorrupt and all-holy Mysteries — not unto torment and condemnation for me, nor unto the increase of my sins, but unto the cleansing of soul and body; as a pledge of Thine eternal kingdom; for the blotting out of my sins; as a wall for me, and for the turning back of all mine invisible enemies that oppose me. Look down upon me, O Lord, from Thy holy height, and bless and sanctify all the members of my soul and body by Thy holy power. I know, O Lord, I know and do not deny, that I have sinned greatly against Thee and angered Thee, and am not worthy at all to look up to heaven, or to behold Thy holy and glorious altar. Save me, O Son of God, save me and be not angry with me. Have mercy on me freely, and search not out my deeds, for they are evil; count not my sins, for they are many and without number; judge not my thoughts, for they are unclean; and look not upon my intentions, for they are defiled. These things I speak and confess and write down: do Thou pardon, forgive and blot them out. Save me, O Lord, save me, for I flee to Thee wholly. Though my transgressions against Thee are many, O Master, yet greater and higher are Thy mercies towards me, O Good One; for Thou ever showest me mercy, and I anger Thee; Thou callest me to repentance, and I am disobedient to Thee; Thou commandest me to live in holiness, and I transgress Thy commandments; Thou callest me, and I flee from Thee. Thus my life is wholly opposed to Thee. O Lord, Lover of mankind, who didst give Thy precious blood as the ransom of Thy servants, deliver me from my iniquities. Thou who didst cleanse the leper, cleanse also the defilement of my passions, and overlook the countless multitude of my sins. Thou who didst have mercy on the Canaanite woman, have mercy on me also, O Son of God; for not my daughter, but my wretched soul is tormented by evil demons. Cleanse my heart from defiled thoughts, and my body from evil deeds. Cleanse me wholly, O Lord, for I have become utterly defiled. O Lord, who didst quench the fierce furnace of Babylon, quench also this heat of my heart and the burning of this wretched flesh of mine. Thou knowest that I am a lowly and weak man, a poor and slothful man. Yea, O Lord, let me not perish miserably and in sorrow. Thou knowest, O Lord, that man is like to vanity, and clay cannot cleanse itself. Therefore, as Thou knowest and as Thou willest, cleanse me and save me, that mine enemy may not boast over me. Let not my sins, O Lord, overcome Thy mercy, but have mercy on me in Thy mercy, and before my death grant me a stream and fountain of tears; for mine eyes are defiled and my soul is barren. Cut me not off, O Master, unrepentant. O Lord, O Lord, forgive me; O Lord, have mercy on me; O God, be gracious to me a sinner; O Lord, save and deliver me, and all who love me and all who hate me. For we as men have sinned against Thee, but do Thou, as God, forgive us and cleanse us from all remembrance of wrongs. O Lord, Thou knowest, as the Knower of hearts, that not in contempt do I draw near to Thy holy and incorrupt Mysteries, though I am unworthy to receive them, but with fervent faith, with fear and trembling, I make bold; for if I withdraw from them altogether, I, lowly and poor as I am, shall perish altogether, and if mine enemy finds me naked, far from my Lord, he will swallow me up entirely and destroy me. Deliver me, O Lord, from the bitter serpent; turn aside his arrows, and drive away from me evil thoughts, which swiftly corrupt and darken my prayers. Shelter me, O Lord, from every evil; keep me, O Lord, from every error; deliver me, O Lord, from every heresy; and make me worthy, O Lord, to stand before Thee with the confession of Orthodoxy on the day of my giving account, when Thou shalt render to each according to his deeds. Remember, O Lord, all our fathers and brethren, spiritual and after the flesh, who are in affliction, distress and torment. I entreat Thee, O Lord, give rest to our fathers and brethren, spiritual and after the flesh, who have departed before us. Those who are in captivity, O Lord, redeem; and those who are tormented by unclean spirits, set free — of whom I am the first. Keep the strangers, O Lord; grant repentance, O Lord, to those who have sinned; heal the sick, O Lord; and have mercy on us all, O Lord, and forgive us, and count us worthy to be with those who stand at Thy right hand, through the intercessions of our most pure and most blessed Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the supplications of the holy Angels and Archangels, and of the glorious Cherubim and Seraphim; through the intercessions of Thy holy and glorious Prophet and Forerunner John, and of John the virgin Evangelist; through the intercessions of the holy and all-praised chief Apostles Peter and Paul, and of the other holy Apostles; through the intercessions of the holy Stephen, the first deacon and first martyr, and of Thy other holy apostles; and of the holy great martyrs George, Theodore, Demetrius, Mercurius, Procopius, Panteleimon, Cyricus and Artemius; through the intercessions of all Thy saints together — apostles, prophets, hierarchs, evangelists, martyrs, fathers, ascetics — and of all who from the ages have been well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, the honour and worship, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.
And I believe also that this is truly Thine own incorrupt Body, and that this is truly Thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray Thee: have mercy upon me, and forgive me my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thine incorrupt Mysteries, for the remission of sins and for life eternal. Amen.
(And when thou goest to Communion, say within thyself:)
Behold, I approach the divine Communion. O Creator, burn me not by communion, for Thou art a fire that burneth the unworthy; but rather cleanse me from every stain:
And after this say:
Of Thy mystical Supper, O Son of God, receive me today as a partaker; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, nor will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom:
And these others also:
Tremble, O man, as thou beholdest the deifying Blood, for it is a fire that burneth the unworthy. The Body of God deifieth me and nourisheth me: it deifieth the soul and wondrously nourisheth the mind.
Then this troparion:
Thou hast sweetened me with love, O Christ, and changed me by Thy divine longing: burn up my sins with immaterial fire, and fill me with Thy delight, and make me worthy joyfully to magnify, O Good One, Thy two comings:
How shall I, the unworthy, enter into the splendour of Thy saints? For if I dare to enter the bridal chamber, my garment convicteth me, for it is not a wedding garment, and bound I shall be cast out by the angels. Cleanse, O Lord, the defilement of my soul, and save me, as Thou art the Lover of mankind.
Then this prayer:
O Master, Lover of mankind, Lord Jesus Christ my God, let not this holy thing be unto my condemnation through my unworthiness, but unto the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body, and as a pledge of the life and kingdom to come.
But it is good for me to draw near to God, and to put in the Lord the hope of my salvation.
And again:
Of Thy mystical Supper, O Son of God, receive me today as a partaker; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, nor will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom:
And when thou hast partaken of the gift of the life-giving Mystery, praise at once and give great thanks, and say this to God with fervent soul:
Glory to Thee, O God. (Thrice)
