Prayers Before Communion

The Beginning

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

The Trisagion Prayers

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things 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. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

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.

Prayer of Saint Basil the Great

O Lord and Master Jesus Christ our God, Thou Fountain of life and immortality, Maker of all creation visible and invisible, the co-eternal and co-unoriginate Son of the unoriginate Father: in the abundance of Thy goodness Thou didst in these last days clothe Thyself in flesh, and wast crucified and buried for us ungrateful and unthankful ones, and by Thine own Blood didst refashion our nature, corrupted by sin. Do Thou Thyself, O immortal King, accept the repentance of me a sinner, and incline Thine ear unto me, and hearken to my words. For I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and am not worthy to look upon the height of Thy glory. Yet take not Thy Holy Spirit from me, but vouchsafe that, uncondemned, I may partake of Thy holy Mysteries, unto the remission of my sins and unto life everlasting. Amen.

Of Thy Mystical Supper

Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.

The Confession before Communion

I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. I believe also that this is truly Thine own most pure Body, and that this is truly Thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray Thee: have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, in knowledge and in ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries, unto the remission of sins and unto life everlasting. Amen.

The Approach

Behold, I approach for Divine Communion. O Maker, burn me not as I partake; for Thou art a Fire which consumeth the unworthy. But rather cleanse me from every defilement.

Receive me today, O Son of God, as a communicant of Thy Mystical Supper; for I will not betray Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief do I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.

May the communion of Thy holy Mysteries be neither to my judgment, nor to my condemnation, O Lord, but to the healing of soul and body. Amen.