PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION
Glory to Thee, O G.o.d! Glory to Thee, O G.o.d! Glory to Thee, O G.o.d!
I thank Thee, O Lord my G.o.d, for Thou hast not rejected me, a sinner, but hast made me worthy to be a partaker of Thy holy things. I thank Thee, for Thou hast permitted me, the unworthy, to commune of Thy most pure and heavenly Gifts. But, O Master, Who lovest mankind, Who for our sakes didst die and rise again, and gavest us these awesome and life-creating Mysteries for the good and sanctification of our souls and bodies; let them be for the healing of soul and body, the repelling of every adversary, the illumining of the eyes of my heart, the peace of my spiritual powers, a faith unashamed, a love unfeigned, the fulfilling of wisdom, the observing of Thy commandments, the receiving of Thy Divine Grace, and the attaining of Thy Kingdom. Preserved by them in Thy holiness, may I always remember Thy Grace and live not for myself alone, but for Thee, our Master and Benefactor. May I pa.s.s from this life in the hope of eternal life, and so attain to the everlasting rest, where the voice of those who feast is unceasing, and the gladness of those who behold the goodness of Thy countenance is unending. For Thou art the true desire and the ineffable joy of those who love Thee, O Christ our G.o.d, and all creation sings of Thy praise forever. Amen.
A Prayer of Saint Basil the Great
O Master Christ our G.o.d, King of the Ages, Maker of all things: I thank Thee for all the good things Thou hast given me, especially for the communion with Thy most pure and life-creating Mysteries. I pray Thee, O gracious Lover of Man: preserve me under Thy protection, beneath the shadow of Thy wings. Enable me even to my last breath, to partake worthily and with a pure conscience of Thy holy things, for the remission of sins and unto life eternal. For Thou art the Bread of Life, the Fountain of Holiness, the Giver of all Good; to Thee we ascribe glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
A Prayer by Saint Simeon Metaphrastes
Freely Thou hast given me Thy Body for my food, O Thou Who art a fire consuming the unworthy. Consume me not, O my Creator, but instead enter into my members, my veins, my heart. Consume the thorns of my transgressions. Cleanse my soul and sanctify my reasonings. Make firm my knees and body. Illumine my five senses. Nail me to the fear of Thee.
Always protect, guard, and keep me from soul-destroying words and deeds.
Cleanse me, purify me, and adorn me. Give me understanding and illumination. Show me to be a temple of Thy One Spirit and not the home of many sins. May every evil thing, every carnal pa.s.sion flee from me as from a fire as I become Thy tabernacle through communion. I offer Thee as intercessors all the saints: the leaders of the bodiless hosts, Thy Forerunner, the wise apostles, and Thy pure and blameless Mother. Accept their prayers in Thy love, O my Christ, and make me, Thy servant, a child of light. For Thou art the only Sanctification and Light of our souls, O Good One, and to Thee, our Master and G.o.d, we ascribe glory day by day.
Another Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ our G.o.d: let Thy holy Body be my eternal life; Thy precious Blood, my remission of sins. Let this Eucharist be my joy, health, and gladness. Make me, a sinner, worthy to stand on the right hand of Thy glory at Thine awesome second Coming, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and of all the saints.
A Prayer to the Theotokos
O most holy Lady Theotokos, the light of my darkened soul, my hope, my protection, my refuge, my rest, and my joy: I thank you, for you have permitted me, the unworthy, to be a partaker of the most pure Body and precious Blood of your Son. Give the light of understanding to the eyes of my heart, you that gave birth to the True Light. Enliven me who am deadened by sin, you that gave birth to the Fountain of Immortality. Have mercy on me, O loving Mother of the merciful G.o.d. Grant me compunction and contrition of heart, humility in my thoughts, and a release from the slavery of my own reasonings. And enable me, even to my last breath, to receive the sanctification of the most pure Mysteries, for the healing of soul and body. Grant me tears of repentance and confession, that I may glorify you all the days of my life, for you are blessed and greatly glorified forever. Amen.
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 people: a light to enlighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of Thy people, Israel.
Holy G.o.d! 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! O Lord, cleanse us from our sins!
O Master, pardon our transgressions! O 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 trespa.s.ses, as we forgive those who trespa.s.s against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
_(If there is a priest, he adds the usual exclamation.)_
At the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
Grace shining forth from your lips like a beacon has enlightened the universe. It has shown to the world the riches of poverty. It has revealed to us the heights of humility. Teaching us by your words, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede before the Word, Christ our G.o.d, to save our souls.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
You received Divine Grace from Heaven, all blessed and venerable John Chrysostom, and taught all by your mouth to worship one G.o.d in the Trinity. We praise you worthily, for you are an instructor who reveals things divine.
At the Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great
Your proclamation has gone out into all the earth, for it was divinely taught by hearing your voice. You expounded the nature of creatures and enn.o.bled the manners of men. O holy father of royal priesthood, entreat Christ G.o.d that our souls may be saved.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
You were revealed as the sure foundation of the Church, granting all men a lord-ship which cannot be taken away, sealing it with your precepts, O venerable and heavenly father.
At the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts Troparion of Saint Gregory the Dialogist
The truth of things revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith, an Icon of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. You thus reached the heights through humility and wealth through poverty. O holy hierarch, father Gregory, pray to Christ G.o.d for the salvation of our souls.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Steadfast protectress of Christians, constant advocate before the Creator: do not despise the cry of us sinners, but in your goodness come speedily to help us who call on you in faith. Hasten to hear our pet.i.tion and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you.
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.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to G.o.d the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify you.
_The priest p.r.o.nounces the dismissal._
ST. TIKHON"S SEMINARY PRESS 1982