Prayers Before Holy Communion

These prayers help the soul prepare with reverence, humility, and love to receive the most pure Body and precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Words with a dotted underline have a short explanation: hover, tap, or tab to them. For Thee, Thou and other older English, see Words of Prayer.

Visitors are welcome at the services. Holy Communion is for Orthodox Christians prepared to receive; speak with your priest beforehand about your circumstances and the parish’s preparation rule. If you are still inquiring or a catechumen, please wait to receive and ask the priest how to take part.

Selected prayers; not a complete prayer-book rule.

The usual opening prayers change during the Paschal season. Use your parish prayer book’s directions from Pascha through Pentecost, and ask your priest which selection to use. This page does not replace the prayer rule he has given you.

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

Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee.

O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art in all places, and fillest all things, Treasury of good things, and Giver of life, come, and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain; 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 ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both 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 the evil one.

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Third Prayer, of St. John Chrysostom

O Lord my God, I know that I am not worthy nor sufficient that thou shouldest enter under the roof of the house of my soul, for it is all deserted and in ruins, and thou hast not a worthy place in me to lay thy head. But as from the heights of thy glory thou didst humble thyself, so now conform thyself to my humility; as thou didst deign to lie in the cave in a manger of dumb animals, so deign now also to come into the manger of my dumb soul and soiled body. As thou didst not refrain from entering and eating with sinners in the house of Simon the leper, so also vouchsafe to enter the house of my humble, leprous and sinful soul. As thou didst not reject the harlot and sinner, like unto me, who approached and touched thee, so also have pity on me, the sinner, as I approach and touch thee; and as thou didst not loathe the filthy mouth of her who drew near to kiss thee, neither loathe my mouth which is more filthy nor my unclean lips nor my yet more unclean tongue. But grant that the fiery coal of thine all-holy Body and precious Blood be for the sanctification, enlighten ment and strengthening of my wretched soul and body, for the relief from the burden of my many transgressions, for my preservation against every demonic activity, for trampling down and averting of my careless and evil habits, for the mortification of passions, for obedience to thy commandments, for growth in thy divine grace and for the inheritance of thy kingdom. For it is not with presumption that I approach thee, O Christ God, but as one taking courage in thine ineffable goodness, lest that through long absence from communion with thee I may become the prey of the noetic wolf. Wherefore, I pray thee, O Master, who alone art holy, sanctify my soul and body, my mind and heart, my reins and bowels, and renew me entirely. Implant in my members the fear of thee, and make thy sanctification to be inalienable from me. Be thou my Helper and Guide, directing my life in peace, vouchsafing me to stand at thy right hand with thy saints, through the prayers and intercessions of thine all-immaculate Mother, of thy bodiless servitors and immaculate powers and of all the saints who from all ages have been well-pleasing unto thee. Amen.

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Fourth Prayer, of St. John Chrysostom

O Lord Master, I am not sufficient that thou shouldest enter under the roof of my soul; but, for that thou desirest, O Lover of mankind, to dwell in me, I make bold to draw near. Thou biddest me to open the doors which thou alone hast made, and thou dost enter with thy love for man. Thou dost enter and enlighten my darkened reasoning. I believe that thou wilt so do. For thou didst not turn from the harlot when she came to thee with tears. Neither didst thou reject the publican who repented nor the thief when he acknowledged thy kingdom. Nor didst thou despise the persecutor when he was converted. But all who came to thee in repentance thou didst reckon among thy friends, O thou who alone art blessed, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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