Part 5
I pray to you, holy Angel whom God has give to me as my good guardian: free me from every temptation!
Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner!
Shine light on my mind, O good one, and enlighten me! I pray you, holy Angel: teach me always to have wholesome thoughts.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Deliver my heart from this present noise, O my Guardian, and strengthen me to keep a good vigil, wondrously instructing me towards life-giving stillness.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Word of God dwelt in you, O Theotokos, and showed you to mankind as a Ladder to Heaven. Through you, He Who is on high came down to us.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever unto ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 6
O my soul, why do you enrich yourself with sins? Why do you do the Devil's will? In what have you put your hope? Cease all this and turn to God, weeping and crying: O compassionate Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!
Ikos
Contemplate, my soul, the bitter hour of death and the dread judgment of your Creator and God. Threatening angels will seize you, my soul, and lead you to eternal flames. Repent before your death, therefore, crying: O Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!
ODE 7
Irmos: The Angel made the furnace a source of dew for the pious youths, and the Will of God, which burned the Chaldeans, made the persecutor call out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Canon of Repentance
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Put not your hope in corruptible wealth, my soul, nor in things unjustly gathered. You do not know to whom you will leave it all. Instead, cry out: O Christ God, have mercy on me, the unworthy!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Remember, my soul, both the eternal life and the Heavenly Kingdom prepared for the saints and the outer darkness and divine wrath prepared for the wicked. Then cry out: O Christ God, have mercy on me, the unworthy!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Do not count on physical health, my soul, nor on fleeting beauty. You see how both the strong and the young die. Instead, cry out: O Christ God, have mercy on me, the unworthy!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Fall down before the Mother of God, my soul, and pray to her, for she is the swift helper of penitents. She will entreat her Son, Christ God, and He will have mercy on me, the unworthy!
Canon to the Theotokos
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Desiring to establish our salvation, O Savior, Thou didst enter the Virgin's womb, showing her as the Intercessor for the world. Blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Pray to Him Who is mercifully disposed and Whom you bore, O Pure Mother, that we may be delivered from transgressions and defilement of soul, who cry out with faith: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Thou didst show her who gave birth to Thee as a source of healing, a strong pillar, and a gate of repentance for those who cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Grant healing from physical weakness and spiritual infirmities to those who draw near to your Protection with love, O Virgin Birthgiver of God, who bore Christ the Savior for us.
Canon to the Guardian Angel
Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner!
Have pity on me, Angel of the Lord, and pray to God for me, for He has given you to me forever as a helper, instructor, and guardian throughout my life.
Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner!
God entrusted my wretched soul to you undefiled, Holy Angel. Do not let it be killed by thieves on its journey, but direct it rather to the path of repentance.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
I bring my soul, completely shamed by my evil thoughts and deeds. Hasten to me, my Instructor, and grant me the healing of good thoughts which lead me forever on the right path.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
For the sake of the Theotokos, O Personal Wisdom of the Most High, fill with wisdom and divine strength those who cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
ODE 8
Irmos: Thou didst cause dew to pour from the flames over the pious youths, and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water--for Thou doest all things, O Christ, by Thy Will alone. We exalt Thee throughout all ages.
Canon of Repentance
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
How can I not weep when I think of death? I have seen my brother lying in the tomb without glory and without form. What can I expect? What can I hope? Only grant me, Lord, repentance before the end. _(twice)_
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
I believe that Thou wilt come to judge the living and the dead, and that everyone will stand in his rank: the old and the young; masters and princes; virgins and priests. Where will I find myself? Therefore, I cry out: grant me, Lord, repentance before the end.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Receive my unworthy prayer, Most Pure Theotokos. Keep me from sudden death, and grant me repentance before the end.
Canon to the Theotokos
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O Virgin, do not disdain those who need your help, hymning and exalting you forever.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
You heal the infirmities of my soul and the illnesses of my body, O Virgin, that I may glorify you, O Pure One, forever.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
You pour an abundance of healing, O Virgin, on those who hymn you with faith and exalt your inexpressible birth-giving.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
You chase away the wiles of temptation and the onsets of passions, O Virgin. We therefore hymn you forever.
Canon to the Guardian Angel
Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner!
Most good Angel, sent from God: strengthen my life and never abandon me.
Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner!
I hymn you forever, most blessed and good Angel, the Instructor and Guardian of my soul.
We bless the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Lord:
Be my protection and rampart on the day when all mankind will be tried and all deeds will be tested, both the good and the bad.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Be the help and stillness of your servant, Ever-Virgin Theotokos, and never release me from your service.
ODE 9
Irmos: No man can see God, upon Whom the Angelic ranks dare not gaze. But through you, O Pure One, the Incarnate Word was revealed to mankind. Magnifying Him with the heavenly hosts, we call you blessed.
Canon of Repentance
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
I now turn to you, angels, archangels, and all the heavenly host who stand by the throne of God: pray to your Creator that He deliver my soul from eternal torments.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
I now weep before you, holy patriarchs, kings and prophets, apostles and hierarchs, and all the elect of Christ: help me at the Judgment, that my soul be saved from the strength of the Enemy.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
I now lift up my hands to you, holy martyrs, desert-dwellers, virgins, righteous ones, and all saints who pray to the Lord for the whole world: may He have mercy on me at the hour of my death.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Help me, Mother of God, for I have great hope in you! Pray to your Son, that when He sits to judge the living and the dead, He may place me at His right hand, even though I am unworthy.
Canon to the Theotokos
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O Virgin who bore Christ and wipes away every tear from every face: turn not away from my flowing tears.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
O Virgin who received the fullness of joy which destroyed the sorrow of sin: fill my heart with joy!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Be a haven and intercession, an indestructible wall, a refuge, protection and rejoicing for those who run to you, O Virgin.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Enlighten with the rays of your light those who in the True Faith confess you to be the Theotokos, O Virgin, dispelling the darkness of ignorance.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Heal me, O Virgin, as I lie humbled on the place of misfortune, bringing me from illness to health.
Canon to the Guardian Angel
Lord Jesus Christ, my God, have mercy on me!
Have mercy on me, my only Savior, since Thou art merciful and compassionate, and join me to the choir of the Just.
Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner!
Grant that I may always think and do what is good and useful, O Angel of the Lord, and show me to be strong and spotless in weakness.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Since you are bold before the Heavenly King, pray to Him with all the bodiless powers, that He may have mercy on me, a wretch.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
You have great boldness before the One Who took flesh from you, O Virgin. Remove me from my fetters and grant me freedom and salvation through your prayers.
CANON IN PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION
ODE 1 (Tone 2)
Irmos: Come, O People, let us sing a hymn to Christ God, Who divided the sea and guided the people Whom He led out of the bondage of Egypt, for He has glorified Himself.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
May Thy Holy Body and Precious Blood, O Lord, be my Bread of everlasting life, healing me of various afflictions.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Make me worthy to partake of Thy most pure Body and Divine Blood, O Christ, for I am unworthy and accursed, defiled by unseemly deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
You are the good soil, blessed Bride of God, which bore the ear of grain, the Savior of the world, which sprang from your untilled field. Grant that I may be saved by eating it.
ODE 3
Irmos: Having established me on the rock of faith, Thou hast strengthened me against my enemies. My spirit rejoices when I sing: There is none holy as our God, and none more righteous than Thou, O Lord!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Give me tears, O Christ, to cleanse the filth from my heart. Then, cleansed and with a good conscience, may I come with fear and faith to partake of Thy Divine Gifts, O Master.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
O Lover of mankind, may Thy most pure Body and Divine Blood be for the remission of my sins, the communion of the Holy Spirit, life everlasting, and estrangement from passions and sorrows.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most holy Table of the Heavenly Bread which mercifully came down from on high, giving new life to the world; grant that I, who am unworthy, may now taste of Him in fear and live!
ODE 4
Irmos: Thou didst not come as an emissary or an angel, Lord, but from a Virgin, taking flesh and saving the fulness of my humanity. I therefore call out to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Because of human sins, Thou didst will to be slaughtered like a lamb, Most Merciful One Who wast incarnate for us. I pray, therefore: cleanse my sins as well.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Heal the wounds of my soul, Lord, and fully sanctify me. Grant, Master, that I, who am wretched, may partake of Thy Divine Mystical Supper.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Incline towards me, O Lady, the One Who came from your womb. Keep me, your servant, undefiled and spotless, that I may be sanctified by receiving the spiritual pearl.
ODE 5
Irmos: Guide us in the light of Thy commandments, O Lord, the Giver of Light and Creator of the Universe. For we know no other God than Thee.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
As Thou didst foretell, O Christ, so may it be with Thine inadequate servant, and abide in me according to Thy promise: for behold, I eat Thy Flesh and drink Thy Blood.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
May the burning coal of Thy Body, O God and Word of God, be a light in my darkness, and may Thy Blood be the cleansing of my defiled soul.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Mary, Mother of God, precious Tabernacle of the divine Fragrance: make me a chosen vessel, by your prayers, that I may partake of the consecrated elements of your Son.
ODE 6
Irmos: Sunk in the depths of sin, I call on the unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: Deliver me from destruction, O God!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Sanctify my mind, soul, heart, and body, O Savior! Grant, Master, that I may draw near, uncondemned, to the dread Mysteries.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
By partaking of Thy Holy Mysteries, O Christ, may I be estranged from passions, joined to Thy Grace, and confirmed in life.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Through the prayers of Thy holy Mother, O God, the Holy Word of God, sanctify me wholly as I come to Thy divine Mysteries.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 2:
Do not judge me unworthy to receive Thy Body and Divine Blood at this time. May the communion of Thy most pure and dread Mysteries not be to my condemnation, though I am wretched. Be it rather for eternal and everlasting life.
ODE 7
Irmos: The most wise youths would not serve the golden idol, but walked into the flames themselves, scorning the pagan gods. They sang amid the flames and an Angel bedewed them with the words: The prayer of your lips has been heard.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
May this communion of Thine immortal Mysteries, the fountain of good, O Christ, be my light, my life, and my dispassion. May it lead to progress and the increase of divine virtues, only Good One, that I may glorify Thee.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
As I draw near to Thine immortal and divine Mysteries with love and trembling, may I be delivered from passions, enemies, want, and every sorrow. Grant that I may sing to Thee: blessed art Thou, Lord God of our fathers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
To you who are full of the Grace of God and bore Christ the Savior beyond understanding, I your servant pray--the impure praying to the Pure One: cleanse me, who now wish to draw near to the most pure Mysteries, from all defilement of flesh and spirit.
ODE 8
Irmos: God came down upon the Hebrew youths in the fiery furnace and changed the flames into dew. Praise the acts of the Lord, and exalt Him throughout all ages!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
O God, my Savior, allow me in my present despair to be a partaker of Thy heavenly, awesome, and holy Mysteries and of Thy divine and mystical supper, O Christ.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Having run to Thy kindness, O Good One, I cry out to Thee in fear: be in me and I in Thee, as Thou didst say, O Savior! Behold: emboldened by Thy mercy, I eat Thy Flesh and drink Thy Blood.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Lord; now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
I tremble when I partake of fire, for fear that I might burn like wax or grass. O the awesome Mysteries! O the kind-heartedness of God! How can I, who am clay, commune of the Divine Body and Blood and become incorruptible?
ODE 9
Irmos: Our God and Lord, the Son of the Eternal Father, revealed Himself to us. He was incarnate of a Virgin that He might enlighten those in darkness and gather those who were scattered. We therefore magnify the all-hymned Theotokos.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Taste and see that this is Christ, the Lord Who of old became like us for us and Who, having once offered Himself as an offering to His Father, is forever immolated, sanctifying communicants.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
May I be sanctified in soul and body, Master! May I be enlightened! May I be saved! May I become Thy dwelling through communion of the Sacred Mysteries, having Thee living in me with the Father and the Spirit, O Most Merciful Benefactor!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
May Thy Body and Most Pure Blood, my Savior, be to me as fire and light. May they set flame to my sinful matter, burning the thorns of passions and fully enlightening me to worship Thy Divinity.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
God took flesh of your pure blood. Every race therefore hymns you, O Theotokos, and the intelligent multitudes glorify you, for through you we beheld the Ruler of all becoming substance in humanity.
PRAYERS IN PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
_A priest uses the following:_
Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth Who art everywhere and fillest all things. Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life: Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us. _(3 times)_
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto 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 evil.
_(If there is a priest, he adds the usual exclamation)_
Lord, have mercy! _(12 times)_
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
_NOTE: When the Prayers in Preparation for Holy Communion are read immediately after Morning Prayers, we begin the former at this point._
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!
Psalm 22
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I 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 my enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil, and most excellent is Thy Cup which brings me joy! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23
The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein; for He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory!
Psalm 115