Morning Prayers
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; 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.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
As we arise from sleep, we fall down before thee, O Good One, and we cry unto thee with the hymn of the Angels, O Mighty One: Holy, Holy, Holy art thou, O God. Through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Having raised me from bed and from sleep, O Lord, enlighten my mind and my heart, and open my lips that I may praise thee, O Holy Trinity. Holy, Holy, Holy art thou, O God. Through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Of a sudden the Judge shall come, and the deeds of each shall be laid bare. But let us cry out with fear in the midst of the night: Holy, Holy, Holy art thou, O God. Through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
As I rise from sleep, I thank thee, O Holy Trinity, for because of thy great goodness and long-suffering thou wast no40t wroth with me, the slothful and sinner, nor didst thou destroy me in mine iniquities, but didst show thy wonted love for man, and when I was prostrate in despair, thou didst raise me to keep the morning watch and glorify thy dominion. And now enlighten the eyes of my mind, open my mouth to meditate on thy words and to understand thy commandments, and to do thy will, and to chant unto thee in heartfelt confession, and praise thine 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.
Come, let us worship God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God. Come, let us worship and fall down before Him.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned and done this evil before thee, that thou mightest be justified in thy words and prevail when thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of thy wisdom hast thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and with thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in thy righteousness. O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built up. Then shall thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Creed
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 heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became Man; and he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the scriptures, and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, and he shall come again with glory to judge 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 acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
A PRAYER OF SAINT BASIL THE GREAT
Thee do we bless, thou Most High God and Lord of mercy, Who ever workest with us deeds great and unfathomable, glorious and extraordinary, whereof there is no number; Who hast given unto us sleep for rest from our infirmity, and for repose of our much-toiling flesh. We thank thee that thou hast not destroyed us in our iniquities, but hast shown thy wonted love for man, and though we were prostrate in despair, thou hast raised us up to glorify thy dominion. Wherefore, we beseech thine incomparable goodness: Enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise our mind from the heavy sleep of slothfulness. Open our mouth and fill it with thy praise, that we may be able undistracted to sing and chant and give thanks unto thee, Who art God glorified in all and by all, the beginningless Father, with thine only-begotten Son, and thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Most glorious, ever-virgin, blessed Theotokos, present our prayer to thy Son and our God, and pray that through thee He would save our souls.
My hope is the Father, my refuge the Son, my shelter the Holy Spirit. O Holy Trinity, glory be to thee.
Unto thee do I commit mine every hope, O Mother of God; guard me under thy shelter.
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos; ever blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God; more honourable than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word; true Theotokos, we magnify thee.
Forgive them that hate us and do us wrong, O Lord; do good unto them that do good unto us. To our brethren and kinsmen, grant their requests that are unto salvation and life everlasting. Visit them that be in sickness, and grant them healing. Pilot them that be at sea. Accompany them that journey. Be thou the ally of Orthodox Christians. Unto them that minister and show mercy unto us, grant forgiveness of sins. Upon them that have enjoined us, the unworthy, to pray for them, have mercy, according to thy great mercy. Remember, O Lord, all our fathers and brethren who have gone to their rest before us, and grant them rest where the light of thy countenance shineth. Remember, O Lord, our brethren, the captives, and deliver them from every misfortune. Remember, O Lord, them that bring oblations and do good works in thy holy churches, and grant them their requests that are unto salvation and life everlasting. Remember, O Lord, us also, thy humble and sinful and unworthy servants, and enlighten our mind with the light of thy knowledge, and lead us in the path of thy commandments; by the intercessions of thine all-immaculate Mother, our Lady the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and of all thy Saints, for blessed art thou unto all ages of ages. Amen.
Morning Prayer of the Last Elders of Optina
Grant unto me, O Lord, that with peace of mind I may face all that this new day is to bring. Grant unto me to dedicate myself completely to Thy Holy Will. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things.
Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy Holy Will.
Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say. When things unforeseen occur, let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee. Teach me to behave sincerely and rationally toward every member of my family, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to none.
Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day, and to bear my part in all its passing events. Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love.
Amen
During Lent
The Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power and idle talk, (prostration)
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to thy servant, (prostration)
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen (prostration)
Then twelve metanias are made saying each time:
O God, be gracious unto me the sinner.
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power and idle talk, But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to thy servant, Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen (prostration)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen
Evening Prayers
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’‘s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; 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.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Troparia of Thanksgiving
Now that the day hath come to a close, I thank thee, O Lord, and I ask that the evening with the night may be sinless; grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Now that the day hath passed, I glorify thee, O Master, and I ask that the evening with the night may be without offence; grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Now that the day hath run its course, I praise thee, O Holy One, and I ask that the evening with the night may be undisturbed; grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God. Come, let us worship and fall down before Him.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned and done this evil before thee, that thou mightest be justified in thy words and prevail when thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of thy wisdom hast thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and with thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in thy righteousness. O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built up. Then shall thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Psalm 69
God, be attentive unto helping me; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be shamed and confounded that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and brought to shame that desire evils against me. Let them be turned back straightway in shame that say unto me: Well done! Well done! Let them be glad and rejoice in thee all that seek after thee, O God, and let them that love thy salvation say continually: The Lord be magnified. But as for me, I am poor and needy; O God, come unto mine aid. My helper and my deliverer art thou, O Lord; make no long tarrying.
Psalm 142
O lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in thy truth; hearken unto me in thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth. He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all thy works, I pondered on the creations of thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto thee; my soul thirsteth after thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning; for in thee have I put my hope. Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for thy Name’s sake, O Lord, shalt thou quicken me. In thy righteousness shalt thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in thy mercy shalt thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am thy servant.
Doxology
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men. We praise thee; we bless thee; we worship thee; we glorify thee; we give thanks to thee for thy great glory: O Lord, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, O Lord the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy on us, thou that takest away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father; and have mercy on us. For thou only art holy; thou only art Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy Name for ever, yea, for ever and ever. Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: O Lord, have mercy on me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee. Lord, unto thee have I fled for refuge; teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. For in thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy mercy unto them that know thee. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin. Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is thy Name unto the ages. Amen. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes. Blessed art thou, O Master, grant me understanding of thy statutes. Blessed art thou, O Holy One, enlighten me by thy statutes. O Lord, thy mercy endureth for ever; disdain not the works of thy hands. Unto thee is due praise, unto thee is due song, unto thee glory is due, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Creed
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 heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became Man; and he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the scriptures, and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, and he shall come again with glory to judge 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 acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Adorned in the blood of thy Martyrs throughout all the world as in purple and fine linen, thy Church, through them, doth cry unto thee, O Christ God: Send down thy compassions upon thy people; grant peace to thy commonwealth, and great mercy to our souls.
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos; ever blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God; more honourable than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word; true Theotokos, we magnify thee.
O spotless, undefiled, incorrupt, immaculate, pure Virgin, Lady Bride of God, who by thy wondrous conceiving hast united God the Word to man, and joined the outcast nature of our race to heavenly things, O only hope of the hopeless, and succour of the embattled, the ready help of them that have recourse to thee, and refuge of all Christians: abhor me not, the sinner, the accursed one, who have altogether made myself unprofitable by shameful thoughts, words, and deeds, and with the heartsease of life’s pleasures am become a thrall in mind. But as the Mother of the man-befriending God, do thou, in man-befriending wise, take pity upon me a sinner and prodigal, and receive my supplication, offered thee on unclean lips. And using thy boldness as a mother, entreat thy Son, our Master and Lord, that He may open even unto me the loving compassions of His goodness, and that, overlooking mine innumerable trespasses, He would turn me to repentance, and make me the approved doer of His commandments. And be thou ever with me, as thou art merciful, and compassionate, and the lover of good, being in this life a fervent protectress and help, to defend me from the assaults of adversaries, and guide me unto salvation; and in the hour of my departure, to care for my wretched soul, and drive far from it the dark countenances of evil demons; and in the terrible day of judgment, to deliver me from eternal torment, and show me forth as an heir of the unspeakable glory of thy Son and our God. This be my lot, O my Lady, most holy Theotokos, by thy mediation and help, through the grace and love for man of thine only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Whom is due all glory, honour, and worship, with His Father which is without beginning, and His all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
And grant us, O Master, when we go to sleep, repose of body and soul; and keep us from the murky slumbering of sin and every dark voluptuousness of night. Calm the violence of the passions, quench the fiery darts of the evil one, which are treacherously hurled against us. Subdue the rebellions of our flesh, and quell our every earthly and material thought. And grant unto us, O God, a watchful mind, a chaste thought, a sober heart, and sleep light and free from all satanic phantasies. And raise us up at the hour of prayer, established in thy commandments and holding the remembrance of thy judgments unshakeable within us. Grant us to hymn thy glory all the night long, that we may praise and bless and glorify thine all-honoured and majestical Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Most glorious, ever-virgin, blessed Theotokos, present our prayer to thy Son and our God, and pray that through thee He would save our souls.
My hope is the Father, my refuge the Son, my shelter the Holy Spirit. O Holy Trinity, glory be to thee.
Unto thee do I commit mine every hope, O Mother of God; guard me under thy shelter.
In thee, O Full of Grace, all creation—both the company of angels and the race of men—doth rejoice. O hallowed temple and spiritual paradise, boast of virgins: from thee God was incarnate, and became a child, He, our God Who existed before the ages; for He made thy womb a throne, and He made thee more spacious than the heavens. In thee, O Full of Grace, all creation doth rejoice. Glory be to thee.
O Theotokos and Virgin, rejoice, O Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb; for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls. (3)
Awed by the beauty of thy virginity and the exceeding radiance of thy purity, Gabriel called out unto thee, O Theotokos: What worthy hymn of praise can I offer unto thee? And what shall I name thee? I am in doubt and stand in awe. Wherefore, as commanded, I cry to thee: Rejoice, O Full of Grace.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Prayers for the Family
Other Prayers
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 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 evil.
For thine 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.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
O Christ our God, bless the food and drink of thy servants, for thou art Holy always; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Or
They that hunger shall eat and be satisfied, they that seek after the Lord shall praise him; their hearts shall live forever. Amen.
Or
Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts of which we are about to partake, for thou art blessed and glorified; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy (3)
Blessed is God, who is merciful unto us and nourisheth us from His bounteous gifts by His Grace and compassion, always; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Or
We thank thee, O Christ our God, that thou hast satisfied us with thy earthly gifts, deprive us not of thy Heavenly Kingdom; but as thou entered into the midst of thy disciples, O Saviour, and gave them peace, enter also among us and save us. Amen.
Or
We thank thee, O God, the Giver of all good things, for these gifts and all thy mercies, and we bless thy Holy Name, always; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord our God, good and merciful, I acknowledge all my sins which I have committed every day of my life, in thought, word and deed; in body and soul alike. I am heartily sorry that I have ever offended thee, and I sincerely repent; with tears I humbly pray thee, O Lord: of thy mercy forgive me all my past transgressions and absolve me from them. I firmly resolve, with the help of thy Grace, to amend my way of life and to sin no more; that I may walk in the way of the righteous and offer praise and glory to the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty God, our Help and Refuge, Fountain of wisdom and Tower of strength, who knowest that I can do nothing without thy guidance and help; assist me, I pray thee, and direct me to divine wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task, and whatever I may undertake to do, faithfully and diligently, according to thy will, so that it may be profitable to myself and others, and to the glory of thy Holy Name. For thine 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.
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the true and living way, be thou, O Master, my companion, guide and guardian during my journey; deliver and protect me from all danger, misfortune and temptation; that being so defended by thy divine power, I may have a peaceful and successful journey and arrive safely at my destination. For in thee I put my trust and hope, and to thee, together with thy Eternal Father, and the all-holy Spirit, I ascribe all praise, honor and glory: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O God, our help and assistance, who art just and merciful, and who heareth the supplications of thy people; look down upon me, a miserable sinner, have mercy upon me, and deliver me from this trouble that besets me, for which, I know, I am deservedly suffering. I acknowledge and believe, O Lord, that all trials of this life are given by thee for our chastisement, when we drift away from thee, and disobey thy commandments; deal not with me after my sins, but according to thy bountiful mercies, for I am the work of thy hands, and thou knowest my weakness. Grant me, I beseech thee, thy divine helping grace, and endow me with patience and strength to endure my tribulations with complete submission to thy Will. Thou knowest my misery and suffering and to thee, my only hope and refuge, I flee for relief and comfort; trusting to thine infinite love and compassion that in due time, when thou knowest best, thou wilt deliver me from this trouble, and turn my distress into comfort, when I shall rejoice in thy mercy, and exalt and praise thy Holy Name, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thanksgiving After Deliverance
Almighty and merciful God, I most humbly and heartily thank thy divine majesty for thy loving kindness and tender mercies, that thou hast heard my humble prayer, and graciously vouchsafed to deliver me from my trouble and misery. Grant me, I beseech thee, thy helping grace, that I may obediently walk in thy holy commandments, and lead a sober, righteous and godly life, ever remembering thy mercies, and the blessings thou hast undeservedly bestowed upon me, that I may continually offer to thee the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
O Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, Physician of souls and bodies, who didst become man and suffer death on the Cross for our salvation, and through thy tender love and compassion didst heal all manner of sickness and affliction; O Lord, visit me in my suffering, and grant me grace and strength to bear this sickness with which I am afflicted, with Christian patience and submission to thy will, trusting in thy loving kindness and tender mercy. Bless, I pray thee, the means used for my recovery, and those who administer them. I know O Lord, that I justly deserve any punishment thou mayest inflict upon me for I have so often offended thee and sinned against thee, in thought, word and deed. Therefore, I humbly pray thee, look upon my weakness, and deal not with me after my sins, but according to the multitude of thy mercies. Have compassion on me, and let mercy and justice meet; and deliver me from this sickness and suffering I am undergoing. Grant that my sickness may be the means of my true repentance and amendment of my life according to thy will, that I may spend the rest of my days in thy love and fear: that my soul, being helped by thy grace and sanctified by thy Holy Mysteries, may be prepared for its passage to the Eternal Life, and there, in the company of thy blessed Saints, may praise and glorify thee with thy Eternal Father and Life-giving Spirit. Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Source of life and Fountain of all good things, I bless thy Holy Name, and offer to thee most hearty thanks for having delivered me from my sickness and restored me to health. Grant me thy continuing grace, I pray thee, that I may keep my good resolutions and correct the errors of my past life, and improve in virtue, and live a new life in dutiful fear of thee, doing thy will in all things, and devoting this new life which thou has given me to thy service: that thus living for thee, I may be found ready when it pleaseth thee to call me to thee, O heavenly Father, to whom with thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and thine all-holy and Life-giving Spirit, is due all honor, praise, glory, and thanksgiving: now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O holy Father, heavenly Physician of our souls and bodies, who hast sent thine only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to heal all our ailments and deliver us from death: visit and heal thy servant N., granting him/her release from pain and restoration to health and vigor, that he/she may give thanks unto thee and bless thy 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 holy Angel, attendant of my wretched soul and of mine afflicted life, forsake me not, a sinner, neither depart from me for mine incontinency. Give no place to the evil demon to subdue me with the oppression of this mortal body; but take me by my wretched and outstretched hand, and lead me in the way of salvation. Yea, O holy Angel of God, the guardian and protector of my hapless soul and body, forgive me all things whatsoever wherewith I have troubled thee, all the days of my life, and if I have sinned in anything this day. Shelter me in this present night, and keep me from every affront of the enemy, lest I anger God by any sin; and intercede with the Lord in my behalf, that He might strengthen me in the fear of Him, and make me a worthy servant of His goodness. Amen.
Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend the souls of thy servants, NN., and beseech thee to grant them rest in the place of thy rest, where all thy blessed Saints repose, and where the light of thy countenance shineth forever. And I beseech thee also to grant that our present lives may be godly, sober, and blameless, that, we too may be made worthy to enter into thy heavenly Kingdom with those we love but see no longer: for thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of thy departed servants, O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, give me humility and earnestness with which I may fear Thee and all whom Thou hast given authority over me, especially (names). Strengthen me that, with eagerness and love, I may obey them and be submissive to them. May my attitude, thoughts, words and deeds be filled with love and respect for them, bringing them honour and joy. Drive away from me the spirit of rebellion, pride, slander, sloth, resentment and bitterness. Help me to quietly yield to Thy will and to theirs. Teach me to accept their authority with humility. Help me to abstain from things they forbid with peace in my heart. Help me to hear their instruction with joy, and to embrace their guidance without reservation. Help me to do all they command me to do, and to carefully consider what they recommend. Help me to be humble and willing to accept their correction; to learn and repent when I am chastised or disciplined. Help me to do all this, trusting in your love for me. Guide them as they teach me virtue and diligence. Help me to love them, to be grateful to them, and to admire Thy holy image in them. Help me, O loving Master, to obey all who have authority over me, especially (names), for Thou art my Heavenly Father who loves me and teaches me Thy statutes, Thou art the One who disciplines me, provides me with both tasks and bounty, and to Thee do I ascribe glory, Father Almighty, Son who suffered obediently for me and rose victorious, and Holy Spirit who leads me on the path of holiness and joy. Amen.
The woman had fallen into many sins, O Lord, yet, when she perceived Thy divinity, she joined the ranks of the myrrh-bearing women. In tears, she brought Thee myrrh before Thy burial. She cried: “Woe is me! For I live in the night of licentiousness, shrouded in the dark and moonless love of sin. But accept the fountain of my tears, Thou Who gathered the waters of the sea into clouds! Bow down Thine ear to the sighing of my heart, O Thou Who bowed the heavens in Thine ineffable condescension! Once Eve heard Thy footsteps in Paradise in the cool of the day, and in fear she ran and hid herself. But now I will tenderly embrace those pure feet and wipe them with the hair of my head.” Who can measure the multitude of my sins, or the depth of Thy judgments, O Saviour of my soul? Do not despise Thy servant in Thine immeasurable mercy!”
I have sinned against Thee, O Saviour, as did the Prodigal Son; accept me in repentance, O Father, and have mercy on me, O God. Receive me, as I fall down before Thee, as one of Thy hired servants, O God, and have mercy on me. I cry unto Thee, O Christ our Saviour, with the voice of the Publican: be gracious unto me, as Thou wast unto him, and have mercy on me, O God. Resurrect my fallen soul, O blessed Theotokos, for I know that Thou canst do whatsoever Thou dost will. As he who fell among the thieves of his own thoughts and was sorely wounded, my mind hath been stripped from me, the miserable one; and all my soul is terribly wounded, and I lie there in the path of life naked of any virtue. The priest, seeing me in the agony of mine unhealable wounds, looks past me and doth not attend unto me. And again, the Levite, unable to bear my soul-destroying pain—he too, seeing, doth not attend unto me. Unto Whom shall I flee for refuge, I who have brought this upon myself, except unto Thee, the compassionate healer of souls. Pour out upon me, O God, Thy great mercy and healing. Help me to return to you, Jesus Christ, my Lord, and to Thy Father and Thy Holy Spirit. Amen.
A Prayer by the Monk Mark
O undefiled, pure, all-merciful Lord, Who in taking on Thy humanity didst free our nature from corruption; and by uniting it with that which is superior didst totally sanctify it; Thou Who unto those who confidently believe in Thee, the only true One, dost grant richly of Thy grace; Thou Who hast shamed that ancient and arrogant one who tripped us up in the weakness of the flesh: do Thou, the same beneficent Lord, cleanse me, the passionate and sin-loving one, who hast been defiled by mine imaginings during sleep, of every impurity of body and soul. Account this not unto me as a sin, whether I was defiled by a dream borne of the malice of that unnamed and good-hating demon, or whether by immoderation in hurtful things, or whether by evil habit and overbearing presumption. From this time forward, strengthen me against his sinister rage by Thine all-powerful grace and preserve me above his various evil plans, maintaining the lamp of my chastity undimmed unto the end, so that being rescued from the ticklings of abominable passions and from the fearsome gloom of nighttime fantasies by Thy power, I may meditate day and night upon the luminous vision of Thy judgments, which are sweeter and more to be desired than honey and honey-comb; and with purity of conscience, I may be deemed worthy to participate in Thy life-giving and immortal Mysteries: through the intercessions of Her who bore Thee without corruption, our most-pure Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, and all of the Saints. Amen.
A Prayer by Saint Basil
O all-merciful, incorrupt, pure, undefiled, only sinless Lord, cleanse me, Thy useless servant, from all defilement of body and soul, and from this impurity which hath happened to me because of my carelessness and indifference, together with mine other iniquities. Purify me of every stain by the grace of Thy Christ; sanctify me by sending down Thy Holy Spirit, so that rising up from the fog of mine impurities and the fantasies of the devil and from every diabolical defilement, I might be made worthy in pure conscience to praise Thine all-holy Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and thereby to participate guiltlessly and uncondemned in the most pure, immortal, most holy and life-giving Mysteries of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ; with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
A prayer by Saint Martinianos
Again have I the wretched one been tripped up in my mind by serving my evil and sinful habits. Again I am dragged as a captive by the prince of darkness and the father of passionate pleasure; and as a slave, humiliated by his will, he forces me to serve the desires of the flesh. And what am I to do, O Lord, redeemer and defender of all who hope in Thee, but to turn again to Thee and sigh and beg forgiveness for the things which I have done. But I fear and tremble that perhaps even though I confess daily and try to avoid harmful things, yet still I cease not to sin every hour, and fail to render my prayer to Thee, my God, I might yet incite Thy patience unto wrath. And who can bear Thine anger, O Lord? Wherefore, knowing the multitude of Thy compassions and the abyss of Thy love for mankind, again I throw myself upon Thy mercy, and I cry unto Thee, saying: I have sinned, O Lord; have mercy upon me, the fallen one. Grant unto me Thy hand in help, who am sunk in the pit of pleasures, and do not abandon me, O Lord, Thy servant, to be destroyed by mine iniquities and my sins. Rather, in Thy usual goodness, deliver me from the pollution and the stain of my flesh and from my passionate thoughts which in every way defile my miserable soul. Behold, O Lord my God, there is not even one place in it that is clean, but it is altogether leprous; my body is itself one great wound. Let Thou Thyself, therefore, as the healer of souls and the wellspring of life, cleanse my soul with tears which Thou shalt pour out upon me abundantly. Grant me healing and cleansing, and turn not Thy face from me, lest the darkness of despair consume me as fire. But as Thou Thyself, the all-true God, hast said that there is joy in heaven at the return of a sinner, close not the ears of Thy compassion against the prayer of my repentance, but open them unto me and direct my prayer before Thee as incense. Thou, the Creator, knowest the weakness of our nature, how easily we slip in our youth; yet Thou overlookest the sins and Thou acceptest the repentance of those who confess to Thee in truth. For Thou alone art sinless, and unto Thee we ascribe glory; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Self-examination Before Confession
The Order of Confession
Prayers before Confession
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; 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.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Come, let us worship God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God. Come, let us worship and fall down before Him.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned and done this evil before thee, that thou mightiest be justified in thy words, and prevail when thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of thy wisdom hast thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and with thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in thy righteousness. O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise.
Prayers after Confession
O almighty and merciful God, I truly thank thee for the forgiveness of my sins. Bless me, O Lord, and help me always, that I may ever do that which is pleasing to thee, and sin no more.
O Lord God of my salvation, the Saviour and Benefactor of my soul, I am truly sorry for my every transgression and I firmly resolve never again to offend thee by my sins, and sincerely promise to amend my way of life. Implant in me also the fear of thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, I may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are pleasing unto thee. I pray thee, grant unto me the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that thus strengthened, I may shun all evil deeds and works, and words and thoughts, and may avoid all the snares of the evil one. Illuminate my heart with the true Sun of righteousness; enlighten my mind and guard all my senses, that walking uprightly in the way of thy commandments, I may attain unto life eternal, for with thee is the fountain of life, and may graciously be vouchsafed to come unto the enjoyment of the light unapproachable.
O Sovereign Master, who lovest mankind, lead me in thy way, that I may walk in thy truth. Make glad my heart that I may fear thy holy name. O Lord, mighty in mercy, gracious in strength, aid and comfort and save me, as I put my trust in thy holy name. Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy displeasure, neither chasten me in thy wrath, but show unto me thy great mercy and compassion, O Physician and Healer of my soul.
O merciful Saviour, blot out all my transgressions, for I am heartily sorry for having offended thee. Grant me thy grace that I may avoid my previous evil ways. Strengthen me, O Mighty One, to withstand those temptations before which I am weak that I may avoid all future sin. Keep me under thy protection and in the shelter of thy wings, that I may serve thee, praise thee, and glorify thee all the days of my life. Amen.
The Full Service of Preparation for Holy Communion
The Canon of Preparation for Holy Communion
Ode one
Come, all ye 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.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
May thy holy Body be for me the Bread of life everlasting, O compassionate Lord, and may thy precious Blood be a remedy for diverse maladies.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Defiled by unseemly deeds, wretched as I am, I am unworthy, O Christ, to partake of thine immaculate Body and divine Blood; but make me worthy of them.
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
O blessed Bride of God, O good land which produced the Ear of Wheat which knew no husbandry and which bringeth salvation to the world: grant that I who eat thereof may be saved.
Ode three
Establishing me on the rock of faith, thou hast enlarged my mouth over mine enemies; for my spirit rejoiceth in chanting: There is none holy as our God, and none righteous save thee, O Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Grant me, O Christ, teardrops to cleanse the defilement of my heart, that, purified and with a good conscience, I may draw nigh with fear and faith, O Master, to the communion of thy divine Gifts.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
May thine immaculate Body and divine Blood be for the forgiveness of mine offences, for communion with the Holy Spirit, and for life everlasting, O Friend of man, and for estrangement from passions and sorrows.
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
O all-holy one, table of the Bread of Life which 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 thereof and live.
Ode four
From a Virgin didst thou come, not as an ambassador, nor as an angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and didst save me, the whole man. Wherefore I cry unto thee: Glory to thy power, O Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Most Merciful One, Who wast incarnate for us, thou didst will to be slain as a sheep for the sins of mortals. Wherefore also, I implore thee to blot out mine offences.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Heal the wounds of my soul, O Lord, and wholly sanctify me, the wretched one, and make me worthy, O Master, to partake of thy divine Mystical Supper.
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
Make Him Who came forth from thy womb, O Lady, to be gracious also unto me; and keep me, thy suppliant, blameless and free of stain, that, by receiving within me the noetic Pearl, I may be sanctified.
Ode five
O Bestower of light and Lord Creator of the ages: guide me in the light of thy commandments; for we know none other God save thee.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
As thou didst foretell, O Christ, so let it be even now to thine abject slave, and abide in me as thou didst promise; for behold, I eat thy divine Body and drink thy Blood.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Word of God, and God, may the live coal of thy Body be for the enlightenment of me who am darkened, and may thy Blood be for the cleansing of my defiled soul.
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
O Mary, thou Mother of God, august tabernacle of the Sweet Fragrance: by thy prayers, make me a chosen vessel, that I may partake of the holy Gifts of thy Child.
Ode six
Encompassed roundabout by an abyss of offences, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of thy compassion: Raise me up from corruption, O God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
O Saviour, sanctify my mind, soul, heart, and body; and grant that without condemnation, O Master, I may approach the dread Mysteries.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Grant me estrangement from passions, and the increase of thy grace, and assurance of life by my participation in thy holy Mysteries, O Christ.
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
O holy Word of God, and God, as I now approach thy divine Mysteries, sanctify the whole of me, by the supplications of thy holy Mother.
Kontakion
Disdain me not to receive now, O Christ, the Bread which is thy Body, and thy divine Blood, and to partake, O Master, of thine immaculate and dread Mysteries; and may it not be unto me, the wretched one, for judgment, but for eternal and immortal life.
Ode seven
When the golden image was adored in the plain of Deira, thy three Children trampled underfoot the ungodly decree; and though cast into the midst of the fire, as ones refreshed, they chanted: Blessed art thou, the God of our Fathers.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
May the reception of thine immortal Mysteries, the Source of every good, O Christ, be now unto me light, and life, and dispassion, and the cause of furtherance and proficiency in divine virtue, O Only Good One, that I may glorify thee.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
That I may be redeemed from passions, enemies; want, and every affliction, I now draw nigh with trembling, love, and reverence to thine immortal and divine Mysteries, O Friend of man, and chant unto thee: Blessed art thou, the God of our Fathers.
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
O thou who art graced of God, and gavest birth incomprehensibly to Christ the Saviour, I thy slave, impure as I am, now beseech thee, the pure one: From all defilement of flesh and spirit cleanse me who am now about to approach the immaculate Mysteries.
Ode eight
O ye works, praise ye 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.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
Grant me, who am despairing, to be a communicant now of thy heavenly, dread, and holy Mysteries, O Christ, and of thy Divine and Mystical Supper, O God my Saviour.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
I flee for refuge under thy compassion, O Good One, and I cry to thee with fear: Abide in me, O Saviour, and I in thee, as thou didst say; for Io, trusting in thy mercy, I eat thy Body and drink thy Blood.
Most holy Mother of God, save us.
I tremble as I receive the Fire, lest I should 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?
Ode nine
Our God and Lord, the Son of the Father which is without beginning, hath appeared to us incarnate of a Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness, and to gather the dispersed; wherefore do we magnify the all-hymned Theotokos.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
The Lord is good: O taste and see! For of old He became like unto us for our sake, and offered Himself once as an offering to His Father, and is ever slain, sanctifying them that partake of Him.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.
May I be sanctified in body and soul, O Master; may I be enlightened; may I be saved; may I become thy dwelling-place by the communion of the sacred Mysteries, having thee 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 thy 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 thy Divinity.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
God took flesh of thy pure blood. Wherefore, every generation doth hymn thee, O Lady, and the multitudes of the noetic beings glorify thee; for through thee we have clearly seen the Master of all, Who assumed the nature of man.
And we complete the Service of Small Compline:
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos; ever blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God; more honourable than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word; true Theotokos, we magnify thee.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; 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.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
When the glorious Disciples were enlightened at the washing of the feet, then Judas the ungodly one was stricken and darkened with the love of silver. And unto the lawless judges did he deliver thee, the righteous Judge. O thou lover of money, behold thou him who for the sake thereof did hang himself; flee from that insatiable soul that dared such things against the Master. O thou Who art good unto all, Lord, glory be to thee.
On the following day
After the usual Morning Prayers, say:
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; 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.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God. Come, let us worship and fall down before Him.
psalm 22
The Lord is my shepherd, and I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; your cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord to the end of my days.
psalm 23
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof, the world, and all that dwell therein. He hath founded it upon the seas, and upon the rivers hath He prepared it. Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that is innocent in hands and pure in heart, who hath not received his soul in vain, and hath not sworn deceitfully to his neighbour. Such a one shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour. This is the generation of them that seek the Lord, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your gates, O ye princes; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in war. Lift up your gates, O ye princes; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory.
psalm 115
I believed, wherefore I spake; I was humbled exceedingly. As for me, I said in mine ecstasy: Every man is a liar. What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me? I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord. My vows unto the Lord will I pay in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. O Lord, I am Thy servant; I am Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaid. Thou hast broken my bonds asunder. I will sacrifice a sacrifice of praise unto Thee, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord. My vows unto the Lord will I pay in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to thee, O God. (3)
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Overlook mine iniquities, O Lord Who wast born of a Virgin, and purify my heart, and make it a temple for thine immaculate Body and Blood. Cast me not away from thy presence as one despised, O thou Who hast 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 thy holy Gifts? For should I dare to approach thee with those who are worthy, my vesture doth betray me, for it befitteth not the Supper, and I shall bring condemnation upon my sin-laden soul. Cleanse, O Lord, the defilement of my soul, and save me, since thou art the Friend of man.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Great are the multitudes of mine offences, O Theotokos; to thee have I fled, O pure one, and implore salvation. Visit mine ailing soul, and intercede with thy Son and our God that He may grant me forgiveness for the grievous deeds which I have committed, O only blessed one.
On Holy and Great Thursday, the following is said:
When the glorious Disciples were enlightened at the washing of the feet, then Judas the ungodly one was stricken and darkened with the love of silver. And unto the lawless judges did he deliver thee, the righteous Judge. O thou lover of money, behold thou him who for the sake thereof did hang himself; flee from that insatiable soul that dared such things against the Master. O thou Who art good unto all, Lord, glory be to thee.
Lord, have mercy. (40)
The first prayer, of Saint Basil the Great
O master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, the Source of life and immortality, Who art the Maker of all creation, both visible and invisible, the co-eternal and co-beginningless Son of the beginningless Father, Who in the abundance of thy goodness wast in the last days clothed in flesh, wast crucified and buried for us, the ungrateful and thankless ones, and by thine own Blood didst refashion our nature which had been corrupted by sin: thyself, O immortal King, accept the repentance even of me, a sinner, and incline thine ear to me and hear my words. For I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee, and I am not worthy to gaze upon the height of thy glory; for I have provoked thy goodness by transgressing thy commandments and by not obeying thine ordinances. But thou, O Lord, Who art forbearing, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy, hast not given me up to perish in mine iniquities, most surely awaiting my conversion. For thou, O Friend of man, hast said through thy Prophet that thou dost not desire the death of the sinner, but that he should return and live. For thou dost not will, O Master, that the work of thy hands should perish, neither art thou well-pleased in the perdition of men, but thou desirest that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Wherefore, though I am unworthy of both Heaven and earth, and even of this transient life, since I have wholly subjected myself to sin and am a slave to pleasures and have defaced thine image, yet being thy work and creation, I, the wretched one, do not despair of my salvation; but emboldened by thine immeasurable compassion, I draw nigh. Wherefore, receive even me, O Christ, thou Friend of man, as thou didst the harlot, the thief, the publican, and the prodigal; and take away the heavy burden of my sins, O thou that takest away the sin of the world, Who healest men’s infirmities, Who callest to thyself them that labour and are heavy laden and givest them rest, Who camest not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. And cleanse me of all defilement of flesh and spirit. Teach me to attain holiness in the fear of thee, that, with the witness of my conscience pure, I may receive the portion of thy holy Gifts and be united with thy holy Body and Blood, and 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 thine immaculate and life-creating Mysteries be to me for judgment, nor may I become infirm in soul and body by partaking of Them unworthily; but grant me till my last breath to receive without condemnation the portion of thy holy Gifts, for communion with the Holy Spirit, as a provision for life everlasting, and for an acceptable defence at thy dread tribunal, that even I, with all thine elect, may become a partaker of thine undefiled good things, which thou hast prepared for them that love thee, O Lord, in whom thou art glorified unto the ages. Amen.
The second prayer, of Saint Basil the Great
I know, O Lord, that I partake of thine immaculate Body and precious Blood unworthily, and that I am guilty, and eat and drink judgment to myself, not discerning the Body and Blood of thee, my Christ and God. But, trusting in thy compassions, I take courage and approach thee, Who didst say: He that eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood abideth in Me, and I in him. Wherefore, have compassion, O Lord, and make not an example of me, the sinner, but deal with me according to thy mercy; and let these holy Gifts be unto my healing, and purification, and enlightenment, and protection, and salvation, and sanctification of both soul and body, unto the averting of every phantasy and evil deed and diabolical operation working noetically in my members; unto confidence and love toward thee, unto amendment of life and stability, unto an increase of virtue and perfection, unto fulfilment of the commandments, unto communion with the Holy Spirit, as a provision for life everlasting, and as an acceptable defence at thy dread tribunal, not unto judgment, nor unto condemnation.
The third prayer, of Saint John Chrysostom
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 all is desolate and fallen, and thou hast not in me a place worthy to lay thy head. But even as from on high thou didst humble thyself for our sake, so now conform thyself to my lowliness. And even as thou didst deign to lie in a cave and in a manger of irrational beasts, so also deign to lie in the manger of mine irrational soul and to enter my defiled body. And even as thou didst not disdain to enter and dine with sinners in the house of Simon the leper, so consent also to enter the house of my lowly soul which is leprous and sinful. And even as thou didst not reject the woman, who was a harlot and a sinner like me, when she approached and touched thee, so also be compassionate with me, the sinner, as I approach and touch thee. And as thou didst not abhor her defiled and polluted mouth which kissed thee, neither abhor my mouth, yet more defiled and polluted than hers, nor my lips which are loathsome, impure, and unholy, nor my tongue, yet more unclean. But let the live coal of thine all-holy Body and thy precious Blood be unto sanctification and enlightenment and strengthening of my humble soul and body, unto alleviation of the burden of my many offences, unto defence against every operation of the devil, unto the averting and hindering of my vile and wicked habits, unto the mortification of the passions, unto the accomplishment of thy commandments, unto the increase of thy divine grace, and unto the attainment of thy Kingdom. For it is not as one presumptuous that I draw nigh to thee, O Christ my God, but as one taking courage in thine ineffable goodness, and that I may not, by long abstaining from thy Communion, become a prey to the noetic wolf. Wherefore, I pray thee Who alone art holy, O Master, sanctify my soul and body, my mind and heart, my reins and bowels, and wholly renew me. Root the fear of thee in my members, and make thy sanctification indelible within me. And be thou my helper and defender, guide my life in peace, and make me worthy to stand at thy right hand with thy Saints, by the prayers and intercessions of thine all-immaculate Mother, of thine immaterial ministers and immaculate powers, and of all the Saints who, from ages past, have been well-pleasing unto thee. Amen.
The fourth prayer, of Saint John Chrysostom
I am not sufficient, O Master and Lord, that thou shouldest enter under the roof of my soul; but since thou, as the Friend of man, dost will to dwell in me, with trust I draw nigh. Thou commandest; I will open wide the gates which thou alone hast fashioned, that thou mayest enter, in thy wonted love for man, that thou mayest enter and enlighten my darkened thought. I believe that thou wilt do this, for thou didst not shun the harlot who approached thee with tears, nor didst thou reject the publican who repented, nor didst thou drive away the thief who acknowledged thy Kingdom, nor didst thou abandon the repentant persecutor as he was; but all who had been brought to thee by repentance hast thou established in the choir of thy friends, O thou Who alone art blessed, always, now and unto endless ages. Amen.
The fifth prayer, of Saint John Chrysostom
O lord Jesus Christ my God, loose, remit, forgive, and pardon the failings, faults, and offences which I, thy sinful, unprofitable, and unworthy servant, have committed from my youth, up to the present day and hour, whether in knowledge or in ignorance, whether in words or deeds or thoughts, or reasonings and pursuits, or in any of my senses. And by the intercession of her that conceived thee without seed, the immaculate and ever-virgin Mary, thy Mother, mine only hope that putteth not to shame, my defence and salvation, count me worthy without condemnation to partake of thine immaculate, immortal, life-creating, and dread Mysteries, unto forgiveness of sins and life everlasting, unto sanctification and enlightenment and strength and healing and health of both soul and body, and unto the blotting out and utter destruction of mine evil reasonings and thoughts and predispositions and nocturnal phantasies of the dark and evil spirits. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, and the honour, and the worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The sixth prayer, of Saint John of Damascus
O master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who alone hast authority to forgive men their sins: since thou art good and the Friend of man, overlook all mine offences, whether committed in knowledge or in ignorance, and account me worthy to receive without condemnation thy divine, glorious, immaculate, and life-creating Mysteries, not unto punishment, nor unto an increase of sins, but unto purification and sanctification and as an earnest of the life and kingdom to come, as a rampart and help, and for the overturning of adversaries, and for the blotting out of my many transgressions. For thou art a God of mercy and compassions and love for man, and to thee do we send up glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The seventh prayer, of Saint Symeon the New Theologian
From lips tainted and defiled, From a heart unclean and loathsome, From a tongue befouled and filthy, From a soul bestained and soiled, O my Christ, receive my pleading. Yea, disdain me not, nor shun me, nor my words, nor yet my manner, nor my shamelessness and boldness. But with freedom let me tell thee, O my Christ, what I desire; Rather, now instruct me what I need to do and utter. I have sinned more than the harlot who, on learning of thy lodging, went and purchased myrrh most precious, and with boldness she approached thee, to anoint thy feet and lave them, O my Christ, my God and Master. Even as thou didst not shun her when she came with heartfelt fervour, thus, O Word, do not disdain me. Nay, but rather grant me to embrace thy feet and kiss them, and with streams of tears to wash them, As with precious myrrh most costly, with great boldness to anoint them. Wash me with my tears, and thereby cleanse me, Word of God, and lave me. Grant remission of my failings, And bestow on me forgiveness. All mine evil deeds thou knowest, and my wounds thou knowest also, and my bruises thou beholdest. But my faith thou knowest likewise, and mine eagerness thou seest, and my groans thou hearest also. There doth not escape thy notice even one tear, O Redeemer, nor a fraction of a teardrop, O my Lord God and Creator. Yea, thine eyes did see my being while as yet it was unfashioned. In thy Book all thoughts and actions, even those not yet enacted, are inscribed for thee already. See my lowliness and toil! Lo, the greatness of my suffering! And, O God of all, forgive me all the sins I have committed. So that with a cleansed and pure heart, and a mind with fear atremble, and a soul contrite and lowly, I may draw nigh to partake of thine all-pure and spotless Mysteries, whereby all who eat and drink thee with a heart sincere and guileless are both deified and quickened. For thou sayest, O my Master: he that eateth of My Flesh and that doth drink of My Blood also doth abide in Me most truly, And in him am I found also. Wholly true is this word spoken by my Lord and God and Master; For whoever doth partake of these divine and hallowed graces which impart deification is alone, in truth, no longer, but is with thee, Christ, thou True Light of the hallowed, Triple Day star, Which illumineth the whole world. Lest, then, I remain alone now and apart from thee, Life-giver, O my Breath, my Life, my Gladness, the entire world’s Salvation, for this cause do I approach thee with a soul contrite and tearful. O thou Ransom of my failings, I entreat thee to receive me, so that I may now partake of thy life-giving, blameless Mysteries, and not suffer condemnation; that, as thou didst say, thou mightest dwell with me, who am thrice-wretched; Lest that foul deceiver find me all bereft of thy divine grace, and most guilefully seduce me, and with scheming cunning lure me from thy words which make me Godlike. Wherefore, I fall down before thee, and cry out to thee with fervour: As thou didst receive and welcome both the prodigal and harlot who drew nigh to thee, so likewise, O Most Merciful, receive me, the great profligate and sinner, the most prodigal and vile one, as I dare now to approach thee with a soul contrite and humbled. Saviour, well I know that no one hath sinned as have I against thee, nor hath wrought the deeds which I have. Yet again, I know this also: neither greatness of transgressions, nor enormity in sinning, can surpass my God and Saviour’s great long-suffering and mercy and exceeding love for mankind. For with the oil of compassion thou dost cleanse and render shining All those who repent with fervour; and thou makest them partakers of thy light in all abundance, and true sharers of thy Godhood. And—O marvel for the angels and for human understanding!—thou hast converse with them often as with friends most true and trusted. These things now do give me daring, these things give me wings, O Christ God; trusting, then, in the abundance Of thy benefactions toward us, with rejoicing, yet with trembling, I partake now of the Fire. Though but grass—O awesome wonder!—yet bedewed am I past telling, like that bush of old on Sinai which was unconsumed, though burning. Wherefore, with a mind most thankful, and a heart most thankful also, thankful also in the members of my soul and of my body, I adore and magnify thee, O my God, and glorify thee, As One verily most blessed, now and ever, to all ages.
The eighth prayer, of Saint Symeon Metaphrastes
O Lord, Who alone art pure and incorrupt, Who through the ineffable compassion of thy love for man didst assume our whole substance from the pure and virginal blood of her that, in a manner surpassing nature, conceived thee by the coming of the Divine Spirit and by the good will of the Everlasting Father; O Christ Jesus, the Wisdom, Peace, and Power of God; O thou Who, in that nature taken upon thyself, didst accept thy life-creating and saving Passion, the Cross, the nails, the spear, and death: mortify all the soul-corrupting passions of my body. Thou Who by thy burial didst despoil the dominions of Hades: bury with good thoughts mine evil schemes and dispel the spirits of wickedness. Thou Who by thy life-creating Resurrection on the third day didst raise up our fallen first parent: raise me up who have slipped down into sin, and set before me the ways of repentance. Thou Who by thy glorious Ascension didst deify the flesh that thou hadst taken upon thyself and didst honour it by thy session at the right hand of the Father: by my partaking of thy holy Mysteries make me worthy of the portion of the saved at thy right hand. Thou Who by the coming of the Comforter, thy Spirit, didst make thy sacred Disciples precious vessels: show me forth also as a receptacle of His coming. Thou Who art to come again to judge the world in righteousness: be it thy good will that I also meet thee in the clouds, O my Creator and Fashioner, with all thy Saints, that without end I may glorify and hymn thee, with thy Father which is without beginning, and thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The nineth prayer, of Saint John of Damascus
I stand before the doors of thy temple, yet I do not put away my grievous thoughts. But do thou, O Christ God, Who didst justify the publican, and have mercy on the Canaanitish woman, and open the gates of Paradise to the thief: open unto me the bowels of thy love for man; and as I approach and touch thee, receive me like the woman with an issue of blood and like the harlot. For the one, by touching the hem of thy garment received healing readily, and the other, by clasping thine immaculate feet obtained release from her sins. And I, deplorable though I be, dare to receive thy whole Body; may I not be consumed, but receive me even as these. And enlighten the senses of my soul, and burn up the indictments of my sins, by the intercessions of her that seedlessly bare thee, and of the heavenly hosts, for blessed art thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The tenth prayer, of Saint John Chrysostom
I believe, O 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 chief. I also believe that this itself is your most pure Body and that this itself your precious Blood. Therefore, I implore you, have mercy on me, and forgive me my transgressions, whether voluntary and involuntary, whether in word and in deed, whether in knowledge and in ignorance. And make me worthy to partake of your most pure mysteries without condemnation, for the remission of sins and for eternal life. Amen.
At your mystical supper, O Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the mystery to your enemies, nor will I give thee a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief I will confess you: Remember me, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.
Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of your holy mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body. Amen.
Thou hast smitten me with yearning, O Christ, and by thy divine love hast thou changed me. But with thine immaterial Fire, consume my sins and count me worthy to be filled with delight in thee, that leaping for joy, O Good One, I may magnify thy two comings.
Into the splendour of thy Saints how shall I, the unworthy one, enter? For should I dare to enter the bridal chamber, my vesture doth betray me, for it is not a wedding garment; and as one bound, I shall be cast out by the Angels. Cleanse, O Lord, the defilement of my soul, and save me, since thou art the Friend of man.
O man-befriending Master, Lord Jesus my God, let not these holy Gifts be unto me for judgment through mine unworthiness, but for the purification and sanctification of both soul and body, and as an earnest of the life and the kingdom to come. For it is good for me to cleave unto God and to place in the Lord the hope of my salvation.
After receiving the Body and Blood of the Saviour, say the following quietly:
Behold, This hath touched thy lips, and will take away thine iniquities, and will purge thy sins. (Isaiah 6.7)
Abbreviated Service of Preparation for Holy Communion
The first prayer, of Saint Basil the Great
O Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, the Source of life and immortality, Who art the Maker of all creation, both visible and invisible, the co-eternal and co-beginningless Son of the beginningless Father, Who in the abundance of thy goodness wast in the last days clothed in flesh, wast crucified and buried for us, the ungrateful and thankless ones, and by thine own Blood didst refashion our nature which had been corrupted by sin: O immortal King, accept the repentance even of me, a sinner, and incline thine ear to me and hear my words. For I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee, and I am not worthy to gaze upon the height of thy glory; for I have provoked thy goodness by transgressing thy commandments and by not obeying thine ordinances. But thou, O Lord, Who art forbearing, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy, hast not given me up to perish in mine iniquities, most surely awaiting my conversion. For thou, O Friend of man, hast said through thy Prophet that thou dost not desire the death of the sinner, but that he should return and live. For thou dost not will, O Master, that the work of thy hands should perish, neither art thou well-pleased in the perdition of men, but thou desirest that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Wherefore, though I am unworthy of both Heaven and earth, and even of this transient life, since I have wholly subjected myself to sin and am a slave to pleasures and have defaced thine image, yet being thy work and creation, I, the wretched one, do not despair of my salvation; but emboldened by thine immeasurable compassion, I draw nigh. Wherefore, receive even me, O Christ, thou Friend of man, as thou didst the harlot, the thief, the publican, and the prodigal; and take away the heavy burden of my sins, O thou that takest away the sin of the world, Who healest men’s infirmities, Who callest to thyself them that labour and are heavy laden and givest them rest, Who earnest not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. And cleanse me of all defilement of flesh and spirit. Teach me to attain holiness in the fear of thee, that, with the witness of my conscience pure, I may receive the portion of thy holy Gifts and be united with thy holy Body and Blood, and 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 thine immaculate and life-creating Mysteries be to me for judgment, nor may I become infirm in soul and body by partaking of Them unworthily; but grant me till my last breath to receive without condemnation the portion of thy holy Gifts, for communion with the Holy Spirit, as a provision for life everlasting, and for an acceptable defence at thy dread tribunal, that even I, with all thine elect, may become a partaker of thine undefiled good things, which thou hast prepared for them that love thee, O Lord, in whom thou art glorified unto the ages. Amen.
The second prayer, of Saint Basil the Great
I know, O Lord, that I partake of thine immaculate Body and precious Blood unworthily, and that I am guilty, and eat and drink judgment to myself, not discerning the Body and Blood of thee, my Christ and God. But, trusting in thy compassions, I take courage and approach thee, Who didst say: He that eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood abideth in Me, and I in him. Wherefore, have compassion, O Lord, and make not an example of me, the sinner, but deal with me according to thy mercy; and let these holy Gifts be unto my healing, and purification, and enlightenment, and protection, and salvation, and sanctification of both soul and body, unto the averting of every phantasy and evil deed and diabolical operation working noetically in my members; unto confidence and love toward thee, unto amendment of life and stability, unto an increase of virtue and perfection, unto fulfilment of the commandments, unto communion with the Holy Spirit, as a provision for life everlasting, and as an acceptable defence at thy dread tribunal, not unto judgment, nor unto condemnation.
The third prayer, of Saint John Chrysostom
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 all is desolate and fallen, and thou hast not in me a place worthy to lay thy head. But even as from on high thou didst humble thyself for our sake, so now conform thyself to my lowliness. And even as thou didst deign to lie in a cave and in a manger of irrational beasts, so also deign to lie in the manger of mine irrational soul and to enter my defiled body. And even as thou didst not disdain to enter and dine with sinners in the house of Simon the leper, so consent also to enter the house of my lowly soul which is leprous and sinful. And even as thou didst not reject the woman, who was a harlot and a sinner like me, when she approached and touched thee, so also be compassionate with me, the sinner, as I approach and touch thee. And as thou didst not abhor her defiled and polluted mouth which kissed thee, do not abhor my mouth, yet more defiled and polluted than hers, nor my lips which are loathsome, impure, and unholy, nor my tongue, yet more unclean. But let the live coal of thine all-holy Body and thy precious Blood be unto sanctification and enlightenment and strengthening of my humble soul and body, unto alleviation of the burden of my many offences, unto defence against every operation of the devil, unto the averting and hindering of my vile and wicked habits, unto the mortification of the passions, unto the accomplishment of thy commandments, unto the increase of thy divine grace, and unto the attainment of thy Kingdom. For it is not as one presumptuous that I draw nigh to thee, O Christ my God, but as one taking courage in thine ineffable goodness, and that I may not, by long abstaining from thy Communion, become a prey to the noetic wolf. Wherefore, I pray thee Who alone art holy, O Master, sanctify my soul and body, my mind and heart, my reins and bowels, and wholly renew me. Root the fear of thee in my members, and make thy sanctification indelible within me. And be thou my helper and defender, guide my life in peace, and make me worthy to stand at thy right hand with thy Saints, by the prayers and intercessions of thine all-immaculate Mother, of thine immaterial ministers and immaculate powers, and of all the Saints who, from ages past, have been well-pleasing unto thee. Amen.
The nineth prayer, of Saint John of Damascus
I stand before the doors of thy temple, yet I do not put away my grievous thoughts. But do thou, O Christ God, Who didst justify the publican, and have mercy on the Canaanitish woman, and open the gates of Paradise to the thief: open unto me the bowels of thy love for man; and as I approach and touch thee, receive me like the woman with an issue of blood and like the harlot. For the one, by touching the hem of thy garment received healing readily, and the other, by clasping thine immaculate feet obtained release from her sins. And I, deplorable though I be, dare to receive thy whole Body; may I not be consumed, but receive me even as these. And enlighten the senses of my soul, and burn up the indictments of my sins, by the intercessions of her that seedlessly bare thee, and of the heavenly hosts, for blessed art thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The tenth prayer, of Saint John Chrysostom
I believe, O 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 chief. I also believe that this is truly your most pure Body, and this itself your precious Blood. Therefore, I implore you, have mercy upon me and forgive me my transgressions, whether voluntary and involuntary, whether in word or in, whether in knowledge or in ignorance; and make me worthy to partake of your most pure mysteries without condemnation, for the remission of sins and for eternal life. Amen.
At your Mystic Supper, O 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 will confess you: Remember me, O Lord when you come in your kingdom. Not unto judgment nor unto condemnation be my partaking of your Holy Mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body.
Amen.
After receiving the Body and Blood of the Saviour, say the following quietly:
Behold, This hath touched thy lips, and will take away thine iniquities, and will purge thy sins. (Isaiah 6.7)
Thanksgiving after Holy Communion
Glory to thee, O God; Glory to thee!
I thank thee, O Lord my God, that thou hast not rejected me, the sinner, but hast deemed me worthy to be a communicant of thy holy Mysteries. I thank thee that thou hast deemed me worthy, unworthy as I am, to partake of thine immaculate and heavenly Gifts. But, O man-befriending Master, Who didst die for us and rise again and didst grant us these thy dread and life-creating Mysteries for the benefit and sanctification of our souls and bodies, grant also that these may be unto me for the healing of both soul and body, for the averting of everything hostile, for the enlightenment of the eyes of my heart, for the peace of the powers of my soul, for love unfeigned, for faith unashamed, for the plenitude of wisdom, for the keeping of thy commandments, for an increase of thy divine grace, and for the attainment of thy Kingdom; that being kept by them in thy holiness I may ever remember thy grace, and never live for myself, but for thee, our Master and Benefactor. And thus, when from this life I have passed in the hope of life eternal, may I attain to everlasting rest where the sound is unceasing of them that keep festival, and unending the delight of them that behold the ineffable beauty of thy countenance. For thou art the true desire and the unutterable gladness of them that love thee, O Christ our God, and all creation praiseth thee unto the ages. Amen.
A prayer of Saint Basil the Great
O master, Christ God, King of the ages and Creator of all, I thank thee for all the good things thou hast bestowed upon me and for the participation in thine immaculate and life-creating Mysteries. I pray thee, therefore, O Good One, thou Friend of man, guard me under thy protection and in the shadow of thy wings; and grant that with a pure conscience till my last breath I may worthily partake of thy holy Gifts unto forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. For thou art the Bread of life, the Well-spring of holiness, and the Giver of all that is good; and to thee we send up glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
A prayer of Saint Symeon Metaphrastes
Thou Who givest me willingly as nourishment thy Flesh, thou Who art fire, and dost consume the unworthy, scorch me not, O my Maker. But rather pass through me for the right ordering of my members, into all my joints, my reins, and my heart. Burn up the thorns of all mine offences. Purify my soul; sanctify my mind. Make firm my knees and bones. Enlighten the simple unity of my five senses. Nail down the whole of me with thy fear. Ever shelter, guard, and keep me from every soul-corrupting deed and word. Purify, and cleanse, and order me aright.
Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to enlighten the gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; 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.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
If the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom was celebrated, say:
Grace shining forth from thy mouth like a beacon hath illumined the universe, and disclosed to the world treasures of uncovetousness, and shown us the heights of humility; but whilst instructing us by thy words, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede with the Word, Christ our God, to save our souls.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
From the Heavens hast thou received divine grace, and by thy lips thou dost teach all to worship the One God in Trinity, O John Chrysostom, all-blessed righteous one. Rightly do we acclaim thee, for thou art a teacher revealing things divine.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
By the intercession, O Lord, of all the Saints and the Theotokos, grant us thy peace and have mercy on us, since thou alone art compassionate.
But if the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great was celebrated, say:
Thy fame hath gone forth into all the earth, which hath received thy word. Thereby thou hast divinely taught the Faith; thou hast made manifest the nature of created things; thou hast adorned the ways of man. O namesake of the priestly kingdom, our righteous Father Basil, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Thou didst prove to be an unshakeable foundation of the Church, giving to all mortals an inviolate lordship, and sealing it with thy doctrines, O righteous Basil, revealer of heavenly things.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
By the intercession, O Lord, of all the Saints and the Theotokos, grant us thy peace and have mercy on us, since thou alone art compassionate.
Or, if the Presanctified Liturgy was celebrated, say:
As one endowed with discretion of speech, thou didst prove to be a most excellent dispenser of the word of God, O hierarch Gregory; for by thy life thou didst set the virtues before us, and thou dost shine forth with the brilliance of holiness. O righteous Father, entreat Christ God that we be granted great mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Thou God-inspired harp of the Church and truly God-possessed tongue of wisdom, O Dialogist, we praise thee as is meet; for thou didst emulate the zeal of the Apostles, and didst manifestly follow in their footsteps; and to thee we say: Rejoice, O Father Gregory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
By the intercession, O Lord, of all the Saints and the Theotokos, grant us thy peace and have mercy on us, since thou alone art compassionate.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word; true Theotokos, we magnify thee.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
A Supplicatory Canon to Our Lord Jesus Christ
Ode one
In the deep of old the Power supreme to all weaponry overwhelmed Pharaoh’s whole army. And when the Word became incarnate, He destroyed exceedingly pernicious sin; for the glorified Lord hath gloriously been glorified.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
Sweetest Jesus Christ, long-suffering Jesus, heal the wounds of my soul, O Jesus, and make sweet my heart, O most Merciful One, I pray thee, O Jesus my Saviour, that, as one saved, I may magnify thee.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
Sweetest Jesus Christ, O Jesus, open to me the portals of repentance, O Jesus, thou Friend of man, and accept me, O Jesus my Saviour, as I fall down before thee and fervently implore the forgiveness of my sins.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Sweetest Jesus Christ, O Jesus, snatch me from the hand of deceitful Belial, O Jesus, and make me stand at the right of thy glory, O Jesus my Saviour, delivering me from the lot of those on the left.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Lady, who hast given birth to Jesus our God, pray for us worthless slaves, that by thine intercessions, O immaculate one, we who are defiled may be delivered from torment, O spotless one, and enjoy everlasting glory.
Ode three
Establishing me on the rock of faith, thou hast enlarged my mouth over mine enemies; for my spirit rejoiceth in chanting: There is none holy as our God, and none righteous save thee, O Lord.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
Hearken, O my man-befriending Jesus, unto thy servant calling with compunction; and deliver me, O Jesus, from condemnation and punishment, O only long-suffering, sweetest and most merciful Jesus.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
Receive thy servant, O my Jesus, who doth fall prostrate with tears, my Jesus, and save me as one repentant, O my Jesus, delivering me from Gehenna, O Master, sweetest and most merciful Jesus.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
The time which thou gavest me, O my Jesus, have I squandered in passions, my Jesus. Cast me not away, O my Jesus, but call me back again, I pray, O Master, O sweetest Jesus, and save me.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin, who hast given birth to my Jesus, implore Him to rescue me from Gehenna. Thou alone art the protectress of the afflicted, O thou who art full of divine grace. And make me worthy of the life that ageth not, O all-blameless one.
thy tomb, O Saviour, Jesus my Saviour, Who hast saved the prodigal, O Jesus my Saviour, Who hast accepted the harlot: Have mercy on me also, O most Merciful Jesus; have compassion and save me, O Jesus my Benefactor, even as thou didst have compassion on Manasses, O my Jesus, thou only Friend of man.
Ode four
From a Virgin didst thou come, not as an ambassador, nor as an angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and didst save me, the whole man. Wherefore, I cry unto thee: Glory to thy power, O Lord.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
Heal, O my Jesus, the wounds of my soul, my Jesus, I pray, and snatch me from the hand of soul-corrupting Belial, O my compassionate Jesus, and save me.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
I have sinned, O my sweetest Jesus; my compassionate Jesus, save me who flee to thy protection, O long-suffering Jesus, and make me worthy of thy Kingdom.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
No one, O my Jesus, hath sinned as have I, the wretched one; but now I fall prostrate and pray: Save me, O my Jesus, and bequeath me life, O my Jesus.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-hymned one, who hast given birth to the Lord Jesus, implore Him to deliver from torment all who hymn thee and rightly call thee the Mother of God.
Ode five
O Christ my Saviour, thou Light of those that lie in darkness and Salvation of the despairing, unto thee do I rise early, O King of peace. Enlighten me with thine illumination, for besides thee I know none other God.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
If thou art the Light of my mind, O my Jesus; thou art the Salvation of my despairing soul, O Saviour. O my Jesus, deliver me from torment and Gehenna, as I cry: Save me, the wretched one, O Christ my Jesus.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
Utterly cast down to shameful passions, O my Jesus, I now cry: Stretch down to me a helping hand, O my Jesus, and pluck me out as I cry: Save me, the wretched one, O Christ my Jesus.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Carrying about a mind defiled, I call to thee, O Jesus: Cleanse me of the defilement of sin, and redeem me who have slipped down into the depths of evil through ignorance, and save me, O Saviour, my Jesus, I pray.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Maiden Mother of God, who hast given birth to Jesus, implore Him to save all Orthodox monastics and laity, and to deliver from Gehenna those who cry: We know no certain protection save thine.
Ode six
Encompassed roundabout by an abyss of offences, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of thy compassion: Raise me up from corruption, O God.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
O most merciful Christ, my Jesus, accept me who confess my sins, O Master, and save me, O Jesus, and snatch me from corruption, O Jesus.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
O my Jesus, no one else hath been so prodigal as I, the wretched one, O man-befriending Jesus; but save me, O Jesus.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
O my Jesus, with my passions I have surpassed the harlot and the prodigal, Manasses and the publican, O my Jesus, and the thief and the Ninevites, O Jesus.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O thou who didst conceive my Jesus Christ, O only undefiled and immaculate Virgin: even now, by the hyssop of thine intercessions, cleanse me, the defiled one.
Kontakion
O sweetest Jesus, Light of the world, enlighten the eyes of my soul, O Son of God, with thy divinely radiant splendour, that I may praise thee, the unwaning Light.
Ode seven
When the golden image was adored in the plain of Deira, thy three children trampled underfoot the ungodly decree; and though cast into the midst of the fire, as ones refreshed, they chanted: Blessed art thou, the God of our Fathers.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
O Christ Jesus, no one on earth hath ever sinned, O my Jesus, as have I, the wretched one and prodigal. Wherefore, J cry to thee, my Jesus, have compassion on me as I sing: Blessed art thou, the God of our Fathers.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
O Christ Jesus, I cry: Nail me down with the fear of thee, O my Jesus, and guide me to thy calm haven now, O my compassionate Jesus, that as one saved, I may sing to thee: Blessed art thou, the God of our Fathers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
O Christ Jesus, ten thousand times have I, the hapless one, promised thee repentance, O my Jesus, but, wretch that I am, I lied to thee. Wherefore, I cry to thee, my Jesus: Enlighten my soul which yet remaineth unfeeling, O Christ, the God of our Fathers
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O thou who gavest birth to Jesus Christ awesomely and supernaturally, O all-blameless one, implore Him, O Maiden, to forgive me all my sins which I have committed against my human nature, that as one saved, I may cry: Blessed art thou who didst conceive God in the flesh.
Ode eight
O ye works, praise ye 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.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
I implore thee, O my Jesus: As thou didst redeem the harlot from many sins, O my Jesus, likewise redeem me, O Christ my Jesus, and cleanse my foul soul, O my Jesus.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
O Jesus, having yielded to irrational pleasures, I have become irrational, O my Jesus; and wretch that I am, I have truly and pitifully become like unto the beasts, O Saviour. Wherefore, O Jesus, deliver me from irrationality.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Having fallen, O Jesus, into the hands of soul-corrupting thieves, I have been stripped now of my divinely-woven garment, O Jesus, and prostrate I lie all bruised with wounds. O my Christ, pour on me oil and wine.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Theotokos Mary, who inexplicably didst hold the Christ, my Jesus and God: ever implore Him to save from perils thy servants and them that praise thee, O Virgin who knewest not wedlock.
Ode nine
With one accord, let us the faithful magnify with hymns God the Word, Who came forth from God, and Who was inexpressibly incarnate of the holy Virgin for our sakes, and Who in His ineffable wisdom came to renew Adam who fell grievously when he partook of corruption.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
I have surpassed, O my Jesus, Manasses and the publican, the harlot and the prodigal, O compassionate Jesus, and the thief, O my Jesus, through all my shameful and unbecoming deeds, O Jesus; but forestall me, O my Jesus, and save me.
O Sweetest Jesus, save me.
By my passions, O my Jesus, pitifully have I, the wretched one, surpassed all those from Adam who have sinned, both those before the Law and in the Law, O Jesus, and after the Law and Grace, O my Jesus; but by thy judgments save me, O my Jesus.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
May I not be parted from thine ineffable glory, my Jesus, nor may the portion on the left, O Jesus, fall to me, O sweetest Jesus; but set me on the right hand with thy sheep and give me rest, O Christ my Jesus, since thou art compassionate.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Theotokos, who alone didst hold Jesus, O Virgin Mary who knewest not wedlock: O pure one, implore Him, thy Son and Creator, to be gracious unto us, that we who have recourse to thee may be delivered from temptations and perils, and from the fire that is to come.
A poem of Theoctistos
O my sweetest Jesus, thou the Joy and Gladness of my soul, Jesus, thou the cleansing of my mind, O my Master and Lord most merciful: Jesus, save me, O Jesus my Saviour; O my Jesus, thou Almighty One, do not abandon me; O my Saviour Jesus, have mercy and deliver me from punishment, O my Jesus, and deem me worthy of the lot of the saved, O my Jesus, and number me with the choir of all thy blessed and chosen ones, O Jesus, thou Friend of man, my sweetest Jesus, thou the glory of the Apostles, O my Jesus, thou the boast of the Martyrs, Master Who art omnipotent: O Jesus, save me, O Jesus my Saviour; O my Jesus, thou most comely One, have mercy on me, O Saviour Jesus, who run to thee, by the entreaties of her that bare thee and, O Jesus, of all thy Saints, and of all the Prophets, O Saviour Jesus, and vouchsafe the Paradise of delight to me, O Jesus, thou Friend of man.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
O my sweetest Jesus, thou the glory of the Jesus, thou the ascetics’ blest adornment and great delight: O Jesus, save me, O Jesus my Saviour; O my Jesus thou supremely good, snatch me out of the hand of the dragon; O Saviour Jesus Christ, and free me from his snares, O my Saviour Jesus, and now lead me up, my Saviour, out of the lowest pit, O Jesus, and number me, O Jesus, with thy sheep at thy holy, blessed right hand.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O entrust me not, I pray, to any human protection, O our Lady, holy one, but accept the prayer of thy supplicant. Sorrow hath fettered me, and I am unable to endure and bear the demons’ darts; a shelter have I not, neither place to run, I, the wretched one; embattled from all sides am I, and no consolation have I but thee. Mistress of creation, protection and hope of faithful ones: Turn not away when I pray to thee; do that which will profit me.
A prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ
O Master Christ God, Who by thy Passion hast healed my passions, and by thy wounds hast healed my wounds: grant tears of compunction unto me who have greatly offended; temper my body with the fragrance of thy life-creating Body, and sweeten my soul with thy precious Blood, taking away the bitterness which the contending adversary hath made me to drink. Lift my mind up unto thee, since it hath been drawn down below, and lead me up from the pit of destruction; for I have not repentance, I have no compunction, I have not a tear of supplication as children which shall lead me up unto mine own inheritance. I have been darkened in mind by the passions of life and I am not able to look up unto thee in my travail; I cannot rouse myself to fervour with tears of love for thee. But, O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, thou Treasury of good things, grant complete repentance unto me, and a suffering heart that shall seek thee out. Grant thy grace unto me and renew in me the likenesses of thine image. I have abandoned thee; do not abandon me. Come thou forth and seek me out, lead me forth into thy pasture, number me together with the sheep of thine elect flock, and nourish me together with them on the verdure of thy divine Mysteries, by the intercessions of thine all-pure Mother and of all thy Saints. Amen.