The experience of educational work and interaction with elderly people in social service centers, with children in the Orthodox-oriented children's recreation program "Star of Bethlehem", as well as with church-going adults in catechetical courses, reveals the enormous difficulties that these categories of believers experience in prayerful communication with God. Due to age, employment, or poor ecclesiastical development of children's consciousness, they do not understand the prayer books in Church Slavonic that are in common church use. At the same time, such believers sometimes have no opportunity to attend Church Slavonic language courses or study it at home on their own. In addition, rarely do any of the new Christians, due to lack of prayer and church experience, have the opportunity to read the morning and evening rules in full.
As a result of the above, an urgent need arose to compile and publish the text of the main church prayers contained in the Orthodox prayer book in Russian. The creation of such a prayer book received approval from a large number of responsible church workers and authoritative clergy, as well as Orthodox youth leaders at the conference “Youth in the Church. Problems and ways to solve them" (2005).
A short prayer book for new Christians in Russian has been prepared by me for publication since 2004. Over the years, based on consultations with specialists, the prayer book has been revised many times, in 2007 it passed philological and theological censorship, and last year it received approval from the Synodal Department of Religious Education and Catechesis. Currently, the Hierarchy is considering the possibility of publishing this prayer book. Until the appropriate decision, it cannot be officially published in printed form.
Alexander Bozhenov,
employee of the Patriarchal Center for Spiritual Development
children and youth at the Danilov Monastery in Moscow.
Rising from sleep, before any other activity, stand reverently, presenting yourself before the All-Seeing God, and, placing the sign of the cross on yourself, say:
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
After this, wait a little so that all your feelings calm down and your thoughts leave everything earthly. And then say the following prayers, without haste, with heartfelt attention. Do this before beginning any prayer.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, Who exists everywhere and fills the whole world, Source of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Good One, our souls.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse our sins. Lord, forgive our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father who art in Heaven! Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done both in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Rising after sleep, we fall at Your feet, O Good One, and we proclaim an angelic song to You, O Mighty One: “Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O God, through the prayers of the Mother of God have mercy on us.”
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. You raised me from my bed from sleep, Lord! Enlighten my mind and heart, and open my lips to sing to You, Holy Trinity: “Holy, Holy, Holy You, O God, have mercy on us through the prayers of the Mother of God.”
And now and always and forever and ever. Amen. Suddenly the Judge will come, and everyone’s deeds will be revealed. Let us exclaim with fear at midnight: “Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O God, through the prayers of the Mother of God have mercy on us.”
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Rising after sleep, I thank You, Holy Trinity, that by Your great mercy and long-suffering, You, God, were not angry with me, lazy and sinful, and did not stop my life in the midst of my iniquities, but showed me Your usual love for mankind, and raised me, sleeping, to offer You morning prayer and glorify Your power. And now enlighten my thoughts, so that I may learn Your word, understand Your commandments and do Your will. And open my mouth to glorify You with a grateful heart and sing Your most holy name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship the King, our God. (Bow)
Come, let us worship and fall before Christ the King, our God. (Bow)
Come, let us bow and fall before Christ Himself, our King and God. (Bow)
[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin {is} ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done {this} evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, {and} be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. {conceive...: Heb. warm me}
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden {part} thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; {that} the bones {which} thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. {right: or, constant}
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me {with thy} free spirit.
{Then} will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: {and} my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. {bloodguiltiness: Heb. bloods}
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give {it}: thou delightest not in burnt offering. {else...: or, that I should}
The sacrifices of God {are} a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
1. I believe in one God, the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of everything visible and invisible. 2. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all time, true God, begotten of true God, as light is born of light, begotten, not made, one in essence with God the Father, and through whom the whole world came into being. 3. He who came down from Heaven for us, people, and our salvation, and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became a true man. 4. Crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. 5. And rose again on the third day, as was foretold in the Scriptures. 6. And ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. 7. And He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end. 8. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, together with the Father and the Son, equally worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. 9. Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. 10. I confess one true baptism in life for cleansing from sins. 11.
I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and 12. eternal life in the age to come. Amen.
God, cleanse me, a sinner, for I have never done anything good before You. Deliver me from evil, and Thy will be done in me. Grant me, without being condemned, to open my unworthy lips and praise Your holy name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rising from sleep, I bring You a song in the middle of the night, O Savior, and falling at Your feet, I cry out to You: do not let me sleep in sinful death, but have pity on me, O voluntarily Crucified One! Quickly raise me, lying carelessly, and save me, standing before You in prayer. And after a night’s sleep, send me a clear, sinless day, O Christ God, and save me.
Lord, Lover of Mankind, getting up after sleep, I hasten to You and, by Your mercy, I take up deeds pleasing to You. I pray to You: help me always and in everything, and deliver me from all evil in the world and from the devil’s temptation, and save me, and bring me into Your eternal Kingdom. For You are my Creator, Source and Giver of every good. All my hope is in You, and I give You praise, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Lord, by Thy abundant goodness and by Thy great mercy, Thou hast given me, Thy servant, to spend the past time of this night without misfortune and any enemy evil. You Yourself, Lord, Creator of all things, grant me, in the light of Your truth, with an enlightened heart to fulfill Your will, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Lord, Almighty, God of disembodied powers and all flesh, who lives on the heights of heaven and does not leave us who live on earth, observing hearts and thoughts, and clearly knowing the secrets of man, the beginningless, eternal and unchanging Light, which leaves no shadowed place on His path! You Yourself, immortal King, accept our prayers, which we now, hoping for the abundance of Your compassion, make to You from unclean lips, and forgive us our sins, committed by us in deed, word and thought, voluntarily and involuntarily, and cleanse us from all uncleanness of the flesh and spirit. And grant us with a watchful heart and a sober thought to live the whole night of this earthly life, in anticipation of the coming of the bright and glorious day of the second coming of Your Only Begotten Son, the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, when the common Judge will come with glory to reward everyone according to his deeds.
May He find us not lying down and sleeping, but awake and risen, in the midst of fulfilling His commandments, and ready to enter with Him into the joy and divine palace of His glory, where the unceasing voices of those who triumph and the inexpressible joy of those who see the indescribable beauty of Your face. For You are the true Light, enlightening and sanctifying the whole world, and You are glorified by all creation forever and ever. Amen.
Holy Angel, appointed to watch over my poor soul and unhappy life, do not leave me, a sinner, and do not depart from me for my intemperance. Do not allow the evil demon to subjugate me through this mortal body. Take my unfortunate and drooping hand tightly and lead me to the path of salvation. Oh, holy Angel of God, guardian and patron of my poor soul and body! Forgive me for everything I have done to offend you all the days of my life, and if I sinned in any way last night, protect me this day. And keep me from every temptation of the enemy, so that I do not anger God with any sin; and pray to the Lord for me, so that He will strengthen me in His fear and make me a slave worthy of His mercy. Amen.
My Most Holy Lady Theotokos, with Your holy and all-powerful prayers, drive away from me, Your insignificant and unfortunate servant, despondency, oblivion, unreason, negligence, and all the nasty, evil and blasphemous thoughts from my unfortunate heart and from my darkened mind, and extinguish the flame of my passions, for I am poor and weak. Deliver me from many destructive memories and intentions, and free me from all evil influences. For You are blessed from all generations, and Your most honorable name is glorified forever and ever. Amen.
Pray to God for me, holy saints of God (names), for I diligently resort to you, quick helpers and prayer books for my soul.
Virgin Mary, Rejoice, Blessed Mary: the Lord is with you; Blessed are You among women, and blessed is the Fruit of Your womb, for You have given birth to the Savior of our souls.
Save, O Lord, Your people, and bless those who belong to You, helping Orthodox Christians defeat their enemies, and preserving Your Church by the power of Your Cross.
Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father (name), my parents (name), neighbors (name), and all my neighbors, and friends, and all Orthodox Christians. Give them Your earthly and heavenly blessings, and do not deprive them of Your mercies, visit them, strengthen them, and by Your power grant them health and salvation of the soul: for You are Good and Humane-loving. Amen.
Rest in peace, Lord, the souls of Your departed servants: my parents (name), neighbors (name), and all my neighbors, and friends, and all Orthodox Christians, and forgive them all their sins, voluntary and involuntary, and grant them the Kingdom of Heaven.
With the saints, rest, O Christ, the souls of Your servants: our forefathers, fathers and brothers, where there is no illness, no sorrow, no mental suffering, but endless life.
It is truly worthy to glorify You as the Mother of God, always Blessed and Immaculate, and the Mother of our God. We magnify You as the true Mother of God, who painlessly gave birth to God the Word, worthy of greater honor than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, our reverend and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, Who exists everywhere and fills the whole world, Source of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Good One, our souls.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse our sins. Master, forgive our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father who art in Heaven! Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done both in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us! Finding no justification for ourselves, we, sinners, offer this prayer to You, as to the Lord: “Have mercy on us!”
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. God! Have mercy on us, we trust in You. Do not be very angry with us and do not remember our iniquities: but turn Your gaze on us even now, since You are merciful. And deliver us from our enemies: after all, You are our God and we are Your people, we are all the creations of Your hands and we call on Your name.
And now and always and forever and ever. Amen. Open to us, blessed Mother of God, the door to God’s mercy, so that we, who trust in You, do not perish, but through You we get rid of troubles: after all, You are the salvation of the Christian race.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Eternal God and King of all creation, who has made me worthy to live until this hour, forgive me the sins that I committed on this day in deed, word and thought; and cleanse, Lord, my humble soul from all uncleanness, fleshly and spiritual. And grant me, Lord, to spend this night in peace, so that, rising from sleep, all the days of my life I will do what is pleasing to Your most holy name and defeat the enemies who attack me - carnal and incorporeal. And deliver me, Lord, from the vain thoughts and vicious desires that defile me. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Almighty, Word of the Father, Jesus Christ! Being yourself perfect, according to Your great mercy, never leave me, Your servant, but always remain in me. Jesus, good Shepherd of Your sheep, do not give me over to the work of the serpent and do not leave me to the will of Satan, for there is in me the seed of destruction. You, Lord God, whom everyone worships, the Holy King, Jesus Christ, protect me during sleep with unfading Light, Your Holy Spirit, with which You sanctified Your disciples. Grant, O Lord, to me, Thy unworthy servant, Thy salvation on my bed: enlighten my mind with the light of understanding of Thy Holy Gospel, my soul with love for Thy Cross, my heart with the purity of Thy word, my body with Thy suffering, alien to passion, preserve my thought with Thy humility. And raise me up at the proper time to glorify You. For Thou art supremely glorified together with Thy Eternal Father and the Most Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, have mercy and have mercy on me, Your sinful servant, and forgive me, unworthy, and forgive all the sins that I have sinned before You today as a man and, moreover, not as a man, but even worse than cattle. Forgive my sins, voluntary and involuntary, known and unknown: those committed out of immaturity and evil skill, out of temper and carelessness.
If I have sworn by Your name, or blasphemed Him in my thoughts; or whom he reproached; or slandered someone in my anger, or saddened someone, or about what I was angry; either he lied, or slept untimely, or a beggar came to me, and I rejected him; or saddened my brother, or stirred up quarrels, or condemned someone; or became arrogant, or proud, or angry; or when standing in prayer, his mind strove for evil worldly thoughts, or had insidious thoughts; either he overate himself, or got drunk, or laughed madly; or thought evil; or, seeing imaginary beauty, bowed your heart to what is outside of You; or said something obscene; or laughed at my brother’s sin, while my sins are countless; or did not care about prayer, or did something else evil that I did not remember: I did all this and even more than that. Have mercy on me, my Creator and Lord, Thy careless and unworthy servant, and leave me, and forgive my sins, and forgive me, for You are Good and Humane-loving.
So that I may lie down in peace, sleep and calm down, prodigal, sinful and unhappy, and so that I may bow and sing and glorify Your venerable name, with the Father and His Only Begotten Son, now, and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord our God, everything in which I have sinned this day in word, deed and thought, You, as the Merciful and Humane One, forgive me. Give me a peaceful and restful sleep. Send me Your Guardian Angel, who would cover and protect me from all evil. For You are the guardian of our souls and bodies, and we send up glory to You, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now, and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
(24 prayers, according to the number of hours of the day and night)
1. Lord, do not deprive me of Your heavenly blessings. 2. Lord, deliver me from eternal torment. 3. Lord, whether I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me. 4. Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, oblivion, cowardice, and petrified insensibility. 5. Lord, deliver me from every temptation. 6. Lord, enlighten my heart, which is darkened by evil desires. 7. Lord, as a man I have sinned, but You, as a generous God, have mercy on me, seeing the weakness of my soul. 8. Lord, send Your grace to help me, that I may glorify Your holy name. 9. Lord Jesus Christ, write me, Your servant, in the Book of Life and grant me a good end. 10. Lord, my God, although I have not done anything good before You, grant me, by Your grace, to begin good deeds. 11. Lord, sprinkle the dew of Your grace on my heart. 12. Lord of Heaven and earth, remember me, Thy sinful servant, foul and unclean, in Thy Kingdom. Amen.
1. Lord, accept me in repentance. 2. Lord, don't leave me. 3. Lord, protect me from every misfortune. 4. Lord, give me a good thought. 5. Lord, give me tears, and the memory of death, and heartfelt contrition for sins. 6. Lord, give me the thought to confess my sins. 7. Lord, give me humility, chastity and obedience. 8. Lord, give me patience, generosity and meekness. 9. Lord, plant in me the root of goodness - the fear of You in my heart. 10. Lord, deign me to love You with all my soul and thoughts and to fulfill Your will in everything. 11. Lord, protect me from evil people, and demons, and passions, and from every inappropriate deed. 12. Lord, You know what you are doing and what You desire - Your will be done even on me, a sinner, for You are blessed forever. Amen.
Merciful King, merciful Mother, most pure and blessed Mother of God Mary! Pour the mercy of Your Son and our God onto my passionate soul, and guide me with Your prayers to good deeds, so that I can live the rest of my life without sin and with Your help, the Virgin Mary, the only pure and blessed one, enter heaven.
Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and patron of my soul and body! Forgive me everything that I have sinned today, and deliver me from every insidious plan of the enemy coming against me, so that I do not anger my God with any sin. But pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, to present me worthy of the goodness and mercy of the Most Holy Trinity and the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ and all the saints. Amen.
Having freed ourselves from troubles, we, Your unworthy servants, Mother of God, sing a song of victory and gratitude to You, the Supreme Military Leader. You, as having invincible power, free us from all troubles, so that we cry to You: Rejoice, Bride, not involved in marriage!
Glorious Eternal Virgin, Mother of Christ God, bring our prayer to Thy Son and our God, may He save our souls through Thy prayers.
I place all my hope in You, Mother of God, keep me under Your protection.
Enlighten my eyes, O Christ God, so that I do not fall asleep in the sleep of death, so that my enemy does not say: I have defeated him.
Be the Protector of my soul, O God, for I walk among many snares. Deliver me from them and save me, O God, for You are a Lover of Mankind.
My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit. Holy Trinity, glory to Thee!
It is truly worthy to glorify You as the Mother of God, always Blessed and Immaculate, and the Mother of our God. We magnify You as the true Mother of God, who painlessly gave birth to God the Word, worthy of greater honor than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, our reverend and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Relax, let go, forgive, O God, our sins, voluntary and involuntary, committed in word and deed, consciously and unconsciously, day and night, in mind and in thought - forgive us all, as the Merciful and Humane One. Forgive those who hate and offend us, O Lord, Lover of Mankind! To those who do good, do good. To our brothers and relatives, graciously fulfill their requests in what leads to salvation, and grant eternal life. Visit the weak and give them healing. Help those at sea. Companion to travelers. Help Orthodox Christians in their struggle. Grant remission of sins to those who serve us and those who take pity on us. Have mercy on those who have entrusted us, the unworthy, to pray for them, according to Your great mercy. Remember, Lord, our fathers and brothers who have fallen before and rest them where the light of Your Face shines. Remember, Lord, our brothers who are in captivity, and deliver them from all misfortune.
Remember, Lord, those who bear the fruits of their labors and adorn Your holy churches. Give them, at their request, that which leads to salvation and eternal life. Remember, Lord, us, Your humble, sinful and unworthy servants, and enlighten our minds so that we know You, and guide us on the path of following Your commandments, through the prayers of our most pure Lady, the Eternal Virgin Mary, and all Your saints, for You are blessed forever and ever. Amen.
I confess to You, my Lord God and Creator, in the One Holy Trinity, glorified and worshiped, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, all my sins that I have committed in all the days of my life, and at every hour, and at the present time, in deed, word, thought, sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and all my senses, mental and physical, with which You are my God and I have angered the Creator and offended my neighbor. Sinned: (hereinafter a list of individual sins). Regretting them, I stand before You guilty and want to repent. Only, Lord my God, help me, I humbly pray to You with tears. By Your mercy, forgive the sins I have committed and free me from them, for You are Good and Lover of Mankind.
When you go to bed, mark yourself with a cross and say the prayer to the Honest Cross:
May God rise again, and may His enemies be scattered, and may all who hate Him flee from His Face. As the smoke disappears, so let them disappear. Just as wax melts from the fire, so let the demons perish at the sight of those who love God, and sign themselves with the sign of the cross and joyfully say: “Rejoice, much-honored and life-giving Cross of the Lord, driving away demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified on you, who descended into hell and destroyed the power of the devil and gave us you, His venerable Cross, to drive away every enemy.” O venerable and life-giving Cross of the Lord! Help me with the Holy Lady, the Virgin Mary, and with all the saints forever. Amen.
Or briefly:
Protect me, Lord, by the power of your venerable and life-giving Cross, and save me from all evil.
When you go to bed and fall asleep, say:
Into Your hands, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, I commend my spirit. Bless me, have mercy on me and grant me eternal life. Amen.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, Who exists everywhere and fills the whole world, Source of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Good One, our souls.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse our sins. Lord, forgive our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father who art in Heaven! Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done both in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Come, let us worship the King, our God. (Bow)
Come, let us worship and fall before Christ the King, our God. (Bow)
Come, let us bow and fall before Christ Himself, our King and God. (Bow)
[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin {is} ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done {this} evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, {and} be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. {conceive...: Heb. warm me}
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden {part} thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; {that} the bones {which} thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. {right: or, constant}
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me {with thy} free spirit.
{Then} will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: {and} my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. {bloodguiltiness: Heb. bloods}
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give {it}: thou delightest not in burnt offering. {else...: or, that I should}
The sacrifices of God {are} a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Irmos: Come, people, let us sing a song to Christ God, who divided the sea and led the people freed by Him from the slavery of Egypt; for He is glorified.
Chorus: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Bow)
May Your Holy Body and Your precious Blood, Merciful Lord, be the bread of eternal life for me, for healing from many and various diseases.
Chorus: Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (Bow)
Desecrated by obscene deeds, I, unfortunate one, am unworthy, O Christ, of the communion of Your most pure Body and Divine Blood: honor me with it.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Blessed Bride of God, fertile land, which produced the uncultivated and world-saving Ear! Make me worthy to be saved by taking Him as food.
Irmos: Having established me on the rock of faith, You opened my mouth against my enemies, for my spirit rejoiced when I began to sing: “There is no one holy like our God, and there is no one more righteous than You, Lord!”
Chorus: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Bow)
Give me, O Christ, drops of tears that cleanse the impurity of my heart, so that, having cleared my conscience, with faith and fear, Master, I may begin to partake of Your divine Gifts.
Chorus: Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (Bow)
May Thy most pure Body and Divine Blood be given to me, Lover of Mankind, for forgiveness of sins, for communion with the Holy Spirit and for eternal life, and for liberation from suffering and sorrow.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Most Holy Table of the Bread of Life, which came down from above by mercy and gives new life to the world, make me worthy, unworthy, to taste It with fear and be alive.
Irmos: Neither an intercessor nor an angel came from the Virgin, but You yourself, Lord, in the flesh, and saved all of me, a man. Therefore I cry to You: “Glory to Your power, O Lord!”
Chorus: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Bow)
Having become incarnate for our sake, O most merciful Lord, You desired to be slain like a sheep for the sins of men. Therefore, I pray to You: cleanse my sins too.
Chorus: Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (Bow)
Heal the wounds of my soul, Lord, and sanctify me entirely, and, O Lord, grant me, a repentant one, to partake of Your mystical Divine Supper.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Appease the One born of You to me, too, Lady, and keep me, Your servant, pure and blameless, so that I may be illuminated by receiving a spiritual jewel.
Irmos: You are the Giver of light and the Creator of times, Lord! Teach us to walk in the light of Your commandments, because besides You, we do not recognize any other god.
Chorus: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Bow)
As You said, O Christ, so let it be for me, Your insignificant servant: abide in me, as You promised; for here I eat Your Divine Body and drink Your Blood.
Chorus: Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (Bow)
Word of God and God! Let the burning coal of Your Body be for enlightenment of me, who is darkened, and Your Blood for the cleansing of my desecrated soul.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Mary, Mother of God, sacred church of fragrance! Through Your prayers, make me a chosen vessel, so that I may partake of the holy things of Your Son.
Irmos: Being in the abyss of sins, I call upon the incomprehensible abyss of Your mercy: “From destruction, O God, save me!”
Chorus: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Bow)
Sanctify my mind, soul and heart, O Savior, as well as my body, and grant me, O Master, to begin, without being condemned, the Terrible Mysteries.
Chorus: Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (Bow)
May I be freed from suffering, and may I receive Your grace and strengthening of life through the communion of the saints, O Christ, of Your Mysteries.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
God, Holy Word of God! Through the prayers of Your holy Mother, sanctify me entirely, now approaching Your Divine mysteries.
Kontakion: Do not deprive me of the opportunity, O Christ, to now receive bread - Your Body and Divine Blood: may the communion of Your most pure and terrible Mysteries not be a condemnation for me, the unfortunate Master, but may it be for me eternal and immortal life.
Irmos: The wise children did not bow to the golden image, but they themselves went into the flames and mocked the pagan gods. In the midst of the flames they cried out, and an angel sprinkled them with dew, saying: “The prayer of your lips is heard.”
Chorus: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Bow)
May the communion of Your immortal Mysteries, Christ, now be a source of blessings for me: light, life, dispassion, a means to success in the highest perfection and to its increase, the only Good One, so that I glorify You.
Chorus: Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (Bow)
Approaching now with trepidation, love and reverence Your immortal and divine Mysteries, may I, Lover of Mankind, be delivered from suffering and enemies, from troubles and all sorrow. And deign me to sing to You: “Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our fathers!”
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Having given birth to the Savior Christ in an incomprehensible way, blessed by God! I pray to You now, Thy servant, pure - unclean: who is now preparing to begin the most pure Mysteries, cleanse me entirely from the impurity of flesh and spirit.
Irmos: Sing into the fiery furnace of the Jewish youths who descended and turned the flame into dew, praise His creations as the Lord and exalt them throughout all ages.
Chorus: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Bow)
Now grant me, the perishing one, Christ, to become a participant in the Heavenly, terrible and holy Mysteries and Your Divine Last Supper, O God, my Savior!
Chorus: Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (Bow)
Having resorted to Your mercy, O Most Gracious One, I cry out to You with fear: “Abide in me, Savior, and let me abide in You, as You have said.” For behold, trusting in Your mercy, I eat Your body and drink Your blood.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
I tremble, accepting the fire, so as not to be burned like wax and like grass. O terrible mystery! O mercy of God! How do I, dust, partake of the divine Body and Blood and become immortal?
Irmos: The Son of the Beginningless Parent, God and Lord, incarnate from the Virgin, appeared to us to enlighten those in darkness, to gather the scattered. Therefore, we glorify the Mother of God, worthy of universal praise.
Chorus: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Bow)
Taste and see: Christ, the Good Lord, who for our sake once became like us and once offered Himself as a sacrifice to His Father, has since been constantly slain, sanctifying those who receive communion.
Chorus: Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (Bow)
By the communion of the sacred Mysteries, may I be sanctified in soul and body, Master, may I be enlightened, may I be saved, may I become Your house, having You, O most merciful Benefactor, living in me with the Father and the Spirit.
Chorus: Restore to me the joy of hope for salvation through You and strengthen me with the sovereign Spirit. (Bow)
May Your Body and Most Precious Blood be for me, my Savior, a fire that burns sins and burns up the thorns of passions, a light that enlightens me all to worship Your Divinity.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
God became incarnate from Your pure blood. Therefore, all nations praise You, Lady, and hosts of spirits glorify, because through You they clearly saw the Lord of the universe in human nature.
It is truly worthy to glorify You as the Mother of God, always Blessed and Immaculate, and the Mother of our God. We magnify You as the true Mother of God, who painlessly gave birth to God the Word, worthy of greater honor than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, our reverend and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Through the prayers of the Saints, our fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, Who exists everywhere and fills the whole world, Source of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Good One, our souls.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse our sins. Master, forgive our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father who art in Heaven! Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done both in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times.)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship the King, our God. (Bow)
Come, let us bow and fall down to Christ the King, our God. (Bow)
Come, let us bow and fall down to Christ Himself, our King and God. (Bow)
[A Psalm of David.] The LORD {is} my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. {green...: Heb. pastures of tender grass} {still...: Heb. waters of quietness}
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth 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 thou {art} with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. {anointest: Heb. makest fat}
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. {for ever: Heb. to length of days}
[A Psalm of David.] The earth {is} the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. {He...: Heb. The clean of hands}
He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This {is} the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. {O Jacob: or, O God of Jacob}
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who {is} this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift {them} up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he {is} the King of glory. Selah.
I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
I said in my haste, All men {are} liars.
What shall I render unto the LORD {for} all his benefits toward me?
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD {is} the death of his saints.
O LORD, truly I {am} thy servant; I {am} thy servant, {and} the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Source of life and immortality, Creator of all creation, visible and invisible, of the Beginningless Father, also the eternal and also the beginningless Son! According to Your excessive goodness, in the last days You became incarnate, crucified and buried for us, the ungrateful and evil-willed, and through Your blood you renewed our nature, corrupted by sin. You Yourself, immortal King, accept my repentance, a sinner; incline Your ear to me and hear my words. For I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned against heaven and before You, and I am not worthy to lift my eyes to the heavenly heights of Your glory; for I have angered Thy goodness, having transgressed Thy commandments and not obeyed Thy commandments. But You, Lord, gentle, long-suffering, and abundantly merciful, did not allow me to perish among my iniquities, waiting in every possible way for my conversion. For You said, O Lover of Mankind, through Your prophet, that You do not desire the death of a sinner, but that he should turn to the path of good and live.
You do not want, O Lord, for the creation of Your hands to perish, and You do not find satisfaction in human destruction, but You want everyone to be saved and achieve the knowledge of the truth. Therefore, although I am not worthy of either heaven, or earth, or this short-lived life itself, since I have enslaved myself entirely to sin and sensual pleasures and have desecrated Your Image in myself, but, being Your creation and creation, I, unfortunate one, do not despair of my salvation and boldly resort to Your immeasurable mercy. Accept me too, O Lord who loves mankind, as a harlot, as a thief, as a publican, as a prodigal son. And remove from me the heavy burden of sins - You, who take upon yourself the sin of the world and heal human infirmities, - who call the weary and burdened to Yourself and give them peace, - who came to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
And cleanse me from all impurity of body and soul, and teach me to lead a holy life in fear of You, so that, by partaking, with a clear testimony of my conscience, of Your Holy Things, I may enter into unity with Your holy Body and Blood and have You living and abiding in me with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Oh, Lord Jesus Christ, my God! And may the communion of Your most pure and life-giving Mysteries not be a condemnation for me, and may I not become weak in soul and body from unworthy communion of them; but grant me, until my last breath, to partake of Thy Holy Things, not as a condemnation, but in communion with the Holy Spirit, as a guide to eternal life and as a favorable answer at Thy Last Judgment, so that I, along with all Thy chosen ones, may become a participant in the fullness of Thy blessings, prepared by Thee, O Lord, for those who love Thee, in which Thou art glorified forever. Amen.
Lord, my God, I recognize that I am unworthy and not prepared for You to enter under the roof of the dwelling of my soul, because it is all empty and destroyed, and there is no worthy place in me where to lay my head to You. But just as You humbled Yourself for our sake, descending from the heights of heaven, so now descend to my insignificance. And just as You were pleased to lie down in a cave, in the manger of dumb animals, so You were pleased to enter into the manger of my reckless soul and into my defiled body. And just as You did not disdain to enter and take part in the evening with sinners in the house of Simon the leper, so deign to enter into the dwelling of my humble, leper and sinful soul.
And just as You did not reject a harlot and sinner like me, who came and touched You, so also have mercy on me, a sinner, who comes and touches You. And just as You did not abhor her foul and unclean lips that kissed You, so do not abhor even more than hers my foul and unclean lips, my vile and unclean lips and my foul and even more unclean tongue. But may the burning coal of Your most holy Body and Your precious Blood be for me for sanctification and enlightenment, for the health of my humble soul and body, for alleviating the burden of many of my sins, for protection from all devilish influences, for the elimination and curbing of my bad and harmful habits, for the mortification of passions, for success in Your Commandments, for the increase of the divine Your grace, for the acquisition of Your Kingdom. For I come to You, Christ God, not as impudent, but as one who trusts in Your unspeakable mercy and so that, far separated from You, I am not kidnapped by a spiritual wolf.
Therefore, I pray to You: as the only Saint, sanctify, O Lord, my soul and body, mind and heart, all internal organs, and renew me entirely, and root the fear of You in my members, and make Your sanctification indelible in me. Be my helper and intercessor, guiding my life peacefully like a helmsman, so that at the Judgment I may be worthy to stand at Your right hand with Your Saints, the prayers and intercession of Your All-Pure Mother, Your disembodied servants and the Most Pure Powers and all the saints who have pleased You from eternity. Amen.
Lord, the only pure and immortal One, through Your ineffable compassion and love for mankind, who took upon Yourself all our complex nature from the pure virgin blood of the One who supernaturally gave birth to You by the influx of the Holy Spirit, by the good pleasure of the eternal Father, Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, peace and power! You, who through Your assumed flesh accepted life-giving and saving sufferings: the cross, nails, death - kill my soul-destroying bodily passions. You, who by Your burial have devastated the kingdom of hell, bury my bad intentions with good thoughts and scatter the spirits of evil. You, by Your life-giving power on the third day, raised the fallen forefather from the grave by rebellion, raise me too, who fell into sin, giving me the means of repentance. Thou, by Thy glorious ascension, who deified the received flesh and made it worthy to sit at the right hand of the Father, grant me also, through the communion of Thy holy Mysteries, to reach the right side of those being saved. You, who by the descent of the Comforter of the Spirit made Your holy disciples precious vessels, show me also to be the receptacle of His coming.
You, who intend to come again to righteously judge the universe, deign to meet me, with all Your saints, You, my Judge and Creator, coming on the clouds, so that I endlessly glorify and glorify You, with Your beginningless Father and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, the only one who has the power to forgive people’s sins! As a merciful and Lover of Mankind, neglect all my sins, committed both consciously and unconsciously, and grant me, without being condemned, to partake of the divine, glorious, most pure and life-giving Mysteries, not for the aggravation of sins, nor for the torment, nor for the multiplication of sins, but for cleansing, sanctification, as a pledge of the future life and Kingdom, for protection, help and driving away enemies, to destroy many of my sins. For You are a merciful, compassionate and loving God, and to You we send up glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I know, Lord, that I unworthily partake of Your most pure Body and Your precious Blood, and I am guilty, and I eat and drink my own condemnation, not distinguishing between Your Body and Blood, Christ and my God. But I, trusting in Your compassion, come to You, who said: “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” Have mercy, O Lord, and do not expose me, a sinner, but deal with me according to Your mercy. And may this Shrine be for me for healing, cleansing, enlightenment, preservation and salvation, and for the sanctification of soul and body; to drive away every empty dream, evil deed and devilish influence manifested through thoughts in my members; for boldness before You and love for You, for the correction and affirmation of life in goodness, for the growth of virtue and perfection, for the fulfillment of the commandments, for communion with the Holy Spirit, for guidance into eternal life, for a favorable response at Your terrible judgment - not for condemnation or punishment.
Let me go, forgive me, forgive me my sins, O God, with which I have sinned before You in word, deed, thought, voluntarily and involuntarily, consciously and unconsciously, forgive me everything, for You are good and a lover of mankind. And through the prayers of Your most pure Mother, Your disembodied servants and holy Powers, and all the saints who have pleased You from the beginning of the world, deign me to accept without condemnation Your holy and most pure Body and honorable Blood, for the healing of soul and body and for the cleansing of my evil thoughts: for Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now, and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
I am not worthy, Master Lord, for You to enter under the roof of my soul. But since You, O Lover of Mankind, want to live in me, I boldly approach. You command, and I will open the doors that You alone created, and You will enter with ordinary love for mankind, You will enter and enlighten my darkened mind. I believe that You will do this. For You did not leave the harlot who came to You with tears; He did not reject the repentant publican; He did not even drive away the robber who recognized You as the King; He did not leave what he was, even Your repentant persecutor Paul; but to all who came to You with repentance, You gave a place in the host of Your friends, the only Blessed One, always, now and forever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, my God, weaken, let go, cleanse, have mercy and forgive me, a sinner, Thy unworthy and unworthy servant, all my mistakes, sins and falls that I have sinned against You from my youth to the present day and hour: consciously or unconsciously, in words or deeds, inclinations, thoughts, aspirations and all my feelings. And through the prayers of the most pure Ever-Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, who gave birth to You, the only firm hope, protection and salvation of mine, grant me the privilege of partaking of Your most pure, eternal, saving and terrible Mysteries, without bringing upon myself condemnation, for remission of sins and eternal life, for sanctification and enlightenment, for strength, healing and health of soul and body, in extermination and complete destruction of my evil thoughts, thoughts and intentions, as well as unclean dreams, dark and evil spirits. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, and the honor, and the worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
I stand before the doors of Your church, and yet I do not abandon bad thoughts. But You, Christ God, Who justified the publican and had mercy on the Canaanite woman and opened the doors of paradise to the thief, open Your humane heart to me and accept me, coming and touching You, as You accepted the harlot and the bleeding woman: for one, touching the hem of Your garment, immediately received healing; the other, hugging Your most pure feet, received forgiveness of sins.
And I, unfortunate one, deciding to accept Your entire Body, may I not burn; but accept me as You accepted those women, and enlighten the feelings of my soul, burning away my sins, with prayers without the seed of You Who gave birth and the heavenly Powers. For blessed are You forever and ever. Amen.
I believe, Lord, and confess that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is Your most pure Body and this is Your precious Blood itself. Therefore, I ask You: have mercy on me and forgive me my sins, voluntary and involuntary, which I have committed in word or deed, consciously or unconsciously; and deign me, without condemnation, to partake of Your most pure Mysteries to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Amen.
It is truly worthy to glorify You as the Mother of God, always Blessed and Immaculate, and the Mother of our God. We magnify You as the true Mother of God, who painlessly gave birth to God the Word, worthy of greater honor than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, our reverend and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Immediately before Communion, if possible, recite to yourself the following verses of Symeon Metaphrastus:
Here I begin to receive divine communion. Creator, do not burn me with communion! For You are the fire that burns the unworthy. But cleanse me from all uncleanness.
Then say:
Accept me today as a participant in Your mystical Supper, Son of God, for I will never reveal the secret to Your enemies and will not give You such a kiss as Judas, but, like a thief, I openly express my faith in You, saying: “Remember me, Lord, in Your Kingdom!”
And the following verses:
Man, tremble at the sight of the divine Blood! She is a fire that burns the unworthy. The Body of God deifies and nourishes me: it deifies the spirit, incomprehensibly nourishes the mind.
Then the troparia:
You attracted me, Christ, with love and changed me with a holy desire for You. My sins have been consumed by immaterial fire, and I am worthy to sweetly enjoy You, so that I may glorify Your two comings with rejoicing.
How can I, unworthy, enter into the bright host of Your saints? After all, if I decide to enter the bridal chamber with them, my clothes will give me away, for they are not the kind they wear to a wedding, and I will be bound and expelled by the Angels. Cleanse, Lord, the impurity of my soul and save me, as a Lover of mankind.
Also the prayer:
Master - O Lord, Lover of mankind, Jesus Christ my God, let this Shrine be to me not as an accusation for my unworthiness, but as a cleansing of soul and body and as a pledge of future life and the Kingdom. It is good for me to cleave to God, to place my hope in the Lord for my salvation.
And again:
Accept me today as a participant in Your mystical Supper, Son of God, for I will never reveal the secret to Your enemies and will not give You such a kiss as Judas, but, like a thief, I openly express my faith in You, saying: Remember me, Lord, in Your Kingdom!
I thank You, Lord, my God, that You did not reject me, a sinner, but made me worthy to partake of Your Holy Things. I thank You that You have vouchsafed me, unworthy, to partake of Your most pure heavenly Gifts. But, Lord-Love of Mankind, who died for us and rose again and gave us these terrible life-giving Mysteries for the benefit and sanctification of our souls and bodies, make them also for me to heal the soul and body, to repel every enemy, to enlighten the eyes of my heart, to the peace of my spiritual strength, to firm faith, to unfeigned love, to the enlightenment of the mind, to the observance of Thy commandments, to the increase of the divine Your grace and for the acquisition of Your Kingdom; so that, being preserved by them in purity before You, I will always remember Your mercy and live no longer for myself, but for You, our Lord and Benefactor. And thus, having left this life in hope of Eternal life, I will come to a place of eternal peace, where the voices of those who triumph are never silent and where the joy of those who look at the indescribable beauty of Your face is endless.
For You are the true goal of every person’s aspiration and the inexplicable joy of those who love You, Christ our God, and all creation sings to You forever. Amen.
Master, Christ God, King of the ages and Creator of the whole world! I thank You for all the blessings that You have given me, and for the communion of Your most pure and life-giving Mysteries. And so I pray to You, O merciful and Lover of Mankind: keep me under Your protection, and grant me, with a clear conscience, until my last breath, to worthily partake of Your Holy Things for the remission of sins and eternal life. For You are the Bread of Life, the Source of sanctification, the Giver of blessings. And we send glory to You, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, who voluntarily gave me Your flesh as food, You are the fire that burns the unworthy! Don't burn me, my Creator! But go into the members of my body, into all the joints, into the entrails, into the heart, and the thorns of all my sins fell. Cleanse my soul, sanctify my thoughts, strengthen me in my activities, enlighten my feelings, imbue me with fear of You. Always protect, protect, take care of me from every deed and word harmful to the soul. Cleanse, wash, adorn me; strengthen, admonish and enlighten me. Make me Your church of the one Spirit and no longer a dwelling place of sin, so that after receiving Communion every evildoer, every passion will flee from me, as from Your house, as from fire. As intercessors for myself, I present to You all the saints, the leaders of the ethereal Powers, Your Forerunner, the wise Apostles and, above them, Your immaculate, most pure Mother. Accept their prayers, my merciful Christ, and make Your servant a son of light. For You, the Merciful One, alone are the sanctification and illumination of our souls. And to You, as befits God and Master, we all send glory to You every day.
May Thy Holy Body, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, be unto me for eternal life, and Thy precious Blood for the remission of sins: and may this communion be for me joy, health and gladness;
at Thy terrible and second coming grant me, a sinner, to stand in Thy glory, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all the saints.
Most Holy Lady Theotokos, light of my darkened soul, hope, protection, refuge, consolation, my joy! I thank You that You have vouchsafed me, unworthy, to partake of the most pure Body and precious Blood of Your Son. You who gave birth to the true Light, enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart. O Thou who gave birth to the Source of immortality, revive me, deadened by sin. Merciful Mother of the Merciful God, have mercy on me and give me tenderness and contrition in my heart, humility in my thoughts, a return to the good thoughts of my mind, in cases of its infatuation. And grant me, until my last breath, without being condemned, to accept the shrine of the most pure Mysteries for the healing of soul and body. And give me tears of repentance and thanksgiving, so that I may sing and glorify You all the days of my life, since You are Blessed and glorified forever. Amen.
Now do You let Your servant go, Master, according to Your word, in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the face of all nations, a light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
We magnify You as the true Mother of God, who gave birth without illness to God the Word, worthy of greater honor than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim.
After Communion of the Body and Blood of the Lord, let everyone remain in purity, abstinence and laconicism, so as to worthily preserve within themselves the Christ received.
Irmos: Shine, shine, new Jerusalem: the glory of the Lord has illuminated You! Rejoice now and be glad, O Zion! You, Pure One, rejoice, Mother of God, for the uprising of the One born of You.” This remark also applies to the end of the remaining prayers.