On Thursday of Passion Week, during the last meal with the apostles, Christ instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The Son of God treated the table diners with bread and wine. They symbolized the flesh and blood of Christ, his sacrifice in the name of all sinners living on earth. This food soon turned into the basis for the church sacrament of Communion.
During the Divine Liturgy, believers pronounce speeches of repentance and petition to the Lord. The prayer of Your Last Supper before communion has been traditional for the ritual since time immemorial. This chant helps to cleanse the soul and gain repentance, which is so necessary for a Christian to perform the sacrament of Communion.
Prayers of repentance to the Most Holy Theotokos
The Mother of God dedicated her earthly life to serving people, although the human race crucified her Son, our Savior. We offer prayers of repentance to the Most Holy Lady, lamenting our sins.
Prayer to the Mother of God 1st
Most Holy Lady Theotokos, the only one most pure in soul and body, the only one who surpasses all purity, chastity and virginity, the only one who has completely become the abode of the complete grace of the all-holy Spirit, the most immaterial power here has incomparably surpassed the purity and holiness of the soul and body, look upon me, vile, unclean, soul and the body that has been denigrated by the filth of the passions of my life, cleanse my passionate mind, make immaculate and order my wandering and blind thoughts, put my feelings in order and guide them, free me from the evil and vile habit of unclean prejudices and passions that torment me, stop all sin acting in me, grant to my darkened and damned mind sobriety and prudence to correct my inclinations and falls, so that, freed from sinful darkness, I will be vouchsafed with boldness to glorify and sing songs of You, the only Mother of the true Light - Christ, our God; because you, alone with Him and in Him, are blessed and glorified by every invisible and visible creation, now, and always, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary 2nd
Undefiled, Unblessed, Imperishable, Most Pure, Unbridled Bride of God, Mother of God Mary, Lady of Peace and My Hope! Look upon me, a sinner, at this hour, and from Thy pure blood Thou hast unknowingly given birth to the Lord Jesus Christ, make me merciful through Thy motherly prayers; The one who was ripeningly condemned and wounded in the heart with the weapon of sadness, wound my soul with Divine love! The mountaineer who mourned him in chains and abuse, grant me tears of contrition; With His free conduct to death, my soul was seriously ill, free me from illness, so that I may glorify You, worthily glorified forever. Amen.
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary 3rd
O zealous, compassionate intercessor of the Lord Mother! I come running to You, a cursed man and a sinner above all others: listen to the voice of my prayer, and hear my cry and groaning. For my iniquities have exceeded my head, and I, like a ship in the abyss, am plunging into the sea of my sins. But You, All-Good and Merciful Lady, do not despise me, desperate and perishing in sins; have mercy on me, who repent of my evil deeds, and turn my lost, accursed soul to the right path. On You, my Lady Theotokos, I place all my hope. Thou, Mother of God, preserve and keep me under Thy roof, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos on Sunday, St. Nil Sorsky
O all-merciful Virgin Mother of God, Mother of generosity and love for mankind, my most beloved hope and hope! O Mother of the sweetest, firstborn and all-surpassing love of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Lover of mankind and my God, Light of my darkened soul! I fall down to You, a great sinner, and I pray to You, the source of mercy and the abyss of generosity and love for mankind: have mercy on me, I cry out to You painfully, have mercy on me, all the wounded, who fell into cruel robbers, and from clothes, clothed me in nakedness, Father, woe is me, naked In the same way, my wounds became stale and rotten in the face of my madness. But, my Lady Theotokos, I humbly pray to You: look at me with Your merciful eye, and do not disdain me, all that is darkened, all that is defiled, all that is immersed in the mire of pleasures and passions, that is fallen in the rage and cannot rise: have mercy on me, and give me a helping hand, raised me from the depths of sin. O my joy! Deliver me from those who have bypassed me; enlighten Thy face upon Thy servant, save the perishing, raise up the fallen: for thou canst do all things, as the Mother of the Almighty God. Pour upon me the oil of Thy mercy, and give me the wine of tenderness; You truly have only one hope in the acquisitions of my life. Do not reject me, who flows to You, but see my sorrow, O Virgin, and the desire of my soul, and accept this and save me, Intercessor of my salvation.
When and how to pray
On Maundy Thursday, during the Liturgy, when participating in the church sacrament of communion, you need to read the prayer of Your Last Supper.
While singing the prayer before communion, it is important to feel peace and drive away any bad thoughts. According to Orthodox canons, man came into the world for kindness and love for his neighbor
The voice must come from the depths of the believer’s heart, sanctifying the soul of a Christian with the light of truth and forgiveness.
When reciting the text of the prayer of Your Last Supper, you need to remember the slaughter of the Son of God, his torment and the miracle of resurrection
At the same time, one should strive with all one’s soul to merge with the image of Christ.
It will not be superfluous to say prayer every day, for it bestows the fruits of God’s mercy. Namely:
- Blesses food and can therefore be used every time before a meal.
- Gives steadfastness to the spirit of humility and confirms the believer in repentance.
Prayer text
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, from whom I am the first. I also believe that this is Your most pure Body, and this is Your most pure Blood. I pray to you: have mercy on me and forgive me my sins, voluntary and involuntary, in word, in deed, in knowledge and ignorance, and grant me, without condemnation, to partake of Your most pure Sacraments, for the remission of sins and eternal life.
Thy Mystery Supper is this day, O Son of God, accept me as a partaker: I will not tell the secret to Thy enemies, nor will I kiss Thee like Judas, but like a thief I will confess Thee: remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.
May it not be for judgment or condemnation that I receive the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries, O Lord, but for the healing of soul and body. Amen.
Translation of the text of the prayer into Russian
I believe, Lord, I openly admit, I declare that You are truly the Christ, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first, that is, the greatest. I also believe that this is Your most pure Body, and this very thing is Your honorable Blood. Therefore, I pray to you: have mercy on me and forgive me the sins done of my own free will and against my desire, which I did in word or deed, knowing or not knowing that it was sinful. Grant me the honor of partaking of Your most pure Sacraments with impunity, for the forgiveness of sins and receiving eternal life.
Son of God, make me a participant (participant) of Your Last Supper: I will not reveal the secret to Your enemies, and I will not give You such a kiss as Judas, but like the thief (who repented on the cross) I believe in You and say to You: remember me, Lord, in your kingdom.
God! May the communion of Your Holy Mysteries be for me not a condemnation or punishment, but a healing of soul and body. Amen.
- “Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight...”
- “I see Your palace, my Savior...”
- “When the glory of the disciples...”
- "Thy secret supper..."
- “Today it hangs on the tree...”
- "The prudent robber..."
- "Noble Joseph..."
- "Let all human flesh be silent..."
- “Don’t cry for Me, Mati...”
Secret
...We lived in an era of continuous denunciation. They recruited us and demanded information. I think everyone was recruited, even several times - whoever speaks about it out loud, they do not hide it - they refused; those who remain silent could be recruited...
These words are so relevant for our time! “Today, O Son of God, accept me as a partaker of Your Mystical Supper; Let us not tell the secret to your enemies.” What secret? The mystery of the Kingdom of God. The secret of human personality. The mystery of man’s relationship with God—and no one else can get in the way!
You have no right to go and report that this man came to church and prayed there, and said such and such words, smiled and then said such and such. And when they promised the people who were recruited mountains of gold, a career, everything else, you had to understand and weigh whether what was promised was worth it for you to openly and honestly look into the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I know one person who was mercilessly dragged as an informer so that he would “tell the secret” to other people, enemies of the Church. And then it was necessary to survive, no one thought that that era would end, those words that are always relevant - both in the Garden of Gethsemane and at the end of the 20th century: “Today, O Son of God, accept me as a partaker of Thy Mystical Supper; Let us not tell the secret to your enemies.” I’d rather die, but I will never reveal the secret of another person, a believer, to non-believers, enemies of the Church!
This man, a student, firmly overcame all temptations, left the seminary and was ready to be the simplest person, and even so he realized and understood, as he later said: “When I die, sing this chant.” This is the oath of allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ: Worship Him alone, serve Him alone!
“I will not tell your enemies a secret, nor give you a kiss like Judas,” - what a responsibility of words! Why do we always play with toys? We have a childlike spontaneity: children stand, hurry to take communion quickly: quickly, quickly, quickly.
Kiss of Judas. Byzantine book miniature.
“I will not kiss You like Judas”: I will never, never betray anyone! Never! “I will not kiss You like Judas, but like a thief I will confess You: remember me, O Lord, in Your Kingdom.” This is the most important thing in life, the most important thing. The whole program.
Open it up, see how to behave, how your children should behave, how your grandchildren should behave, how they should abide by these words. And in no case should you take lightly the fact that - Your Last Supper is today...
Prayer 7, St. John Chrysostom
God, weaken, forgive, forgive me my sins, those who have sinned, whether in word, whether in deed, whether in thought, will or involuntarily, by reason or foolishness, forgive me all, as you are good and a lover of mankind, and through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother, your intelligent servants and Holy powers, and all the saints from the ages who have pleased You, without condemnation, deign to accept Your holy and most pure Body and venerable 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, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
We advise you to study Congratulations on the Apple Savior
Him, 8th I am pleased, Lord Lord, to bring me under the roof of my soul; but since You, as a Lover of Mankind, want to live in me, I boldly approach; You command that I open the doors that You alone created, and with love for mankind, like You, you will see and enlighten my darkened thoughts. I believe that You have done this: You did not drive away the harlot who came to You with tears; You have rejected below the publican, having repented; below the thief, having come to know Your kingdom, You drove away; Thou hast left the repentant lower than the persecutor; but from repentance Thou hast brought all who have come to Thee, in the person of Thy friends Thou hast made the One blessed, always, now and unto endless ages. Amen.
Him, 9th Lord Jesus Christ my God, weaken, forsake, cleanse and forgive my sinful, and indecent, and unworthy servant, my trespasses, and transgressions, and my fall into sin, the great Thy from my youth, even to this day and those who have sinned: whether in reason or in foolishness, or in words or deeds, or thoughts and thoughts, and undertakings, and all my feelings. And through the prayers of the seedless One who gave birth to Thee, the Most Pure and Ever-Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, the only shameless hope and intercession and salvation of mine, grant me to uncondemnedly partake of Thy most pure, immortal, life-giving and terrible Mysteries, for the remission of sins and for eternal life: for sanctification and enlightenment , strength, healing, and health of soul and body, and in the consumption and complete destruction of my evil thoughts, and thoughts, and enterprises, and nightly dreams, dark and crafty spirits; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, and the honor, and the worship, with the Father and Thy Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Nativity of the Virgin Mary: prayers for help, happiness and prosperity
On the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prayers for personal happiness and family well-being acquire special power. Not a single sincere request goes unheard on this wonderful Orthodox holiday.
Prayer for help on the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
Every person needs the help and intercession of the Lord. Prayers to the Mother of God have amazing power, and through them the Mother of God will show you a way out of a desperate situation. The entire life story of the Virgin Mary is in one way or another connected with the Lord. She is the earthly mother of Jesus Christ, and she has the power to ask for help for you when you or your loved ones are in trouble.
It is customary to read the prayer to the Mother of God in moments of despair, when hope for the triumph of justice is lost, and there is nowhere to expect support. The main thing is that the words come from a pure heart and are supported by strong faith. Even if the trouble has passed or does not threaten you at all, make it a rule to read the prayer request of the Mother of God. This will protect you from sharp turns of fate and soften fateful moments in life. A prayer that helps to find support, protection and help sounds like this:
“Oh, Holy Virgin! Please, become my intercessor and do not leave me without help and support! Protect me from lies and all kinds of troubles, from bitterness, suffering and anger. Help me stand on the true path, strengthen my faith. Help me in the fight against my enemies, protect me from attacks and from all evil spirits. Please give me the strength to cope with all illnesses and adversities. Heal my soul and help me rise from my knees again. For only you can help me, Most Holy Theotokos, our intercessor. Glory forever and ever. Amen".
Prayer to the Mother of God for happiness
When it comes to the grace of God, the face of the Virgin Mary appears before our eyes, who found true happiness through prayers and a righteous life. Therefore, this prayer is a sincere appeal to the Blessed Virgin. Every person deserves happiness, and you can bring it closer by reading a prayer request with the hope of a quick miracle:
"Holy Mother of God! I pray, open my heart to love and tender feelings. Let there be no place for grief and anger in my soul. Give me more love and joy, give my family happiness and smiles. Do not let me know sorrow and sorrow, send me luck, bliss and prosperity! May Your name be glorified now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen".
Prayer for the well-being of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The concept of “well-being” is broad. But on the day of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, prosperity is nothing more than family happiness and prosperity. The legend of the birth of the Virgin Mary is a story full of God's love and compassion. It is known that the Mother of God was born through the prayers of her righteous parents, who until old age harbored hope for a child, praying to the Lord daily.
Prayer for well-being is completely natural for anyone who wants to find harmony and understanding with their spouse, parents and children. In the understanding of a believer, love is mutual respect, support, and care.
The prayers to the Mother of God are presented in translation from Church Slavonic to make them easier to learn by heart. In order for your requests to reach the Mother of God, you should read them daily, morning and evening
Having embarked on the path of religious education, it is important to remain faithful to the chosen path. You should continue to read prayers for happiness and prosperity, even if there are already noticeable changes in your personal life
Prayer to the Mother of God for well-being:
“Oh, our Savior, Queen of Heaven! Hear and don't leave us unattended! We will rejoice with you on this bright holiday. Do not leave us in moments of burden and sadness, become our intercessor and do not leave us without your protection. Do not let us wallow in sin, give us joy, happiness, prosperity in the family and in our lives. Walk our spiritual path with us, for at the end of the path we will stand before the throne of the Lord. Deliver us from difficulties and grief, Most Pure Virgin, so that our souls may be drawn to the light and heaven. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen".
Remember, only sincere prayers will the Mother of God be able to hear and come to your aid. Pray from the bottom of your heart, and then you will certainly find happiness, prosperity and support. You can also always carry a handwritten prayer with you, and it will work as a talisman, protecting you from evil and troubles. We wish you a great mood and strong faith. Take care of yourself and don't forget to press the buttons and
“Today it hangs on the tree...”
Antiphon 15, tone 6
Audio:
Today he hangs on the tree, like the one who hung the earth on the waters: he is crowned with thorns, like the King of Angels: he is clothed in a false scarlet, he clothes the sky with clouds: the strangulation is accepted, like in the Jordan freed Adam: the Church Bridegroom was nailed with nails: the Son of the Virgin was pierced by a spear. We worship Your passion, Christ. We worship Your passion, Christ. We worship Your passion, O Christ: show us Your glorious Resurrection.
Translation: Now hangs on a tree He who hung the earth on the waters; The King of Angels is covered with a crown of thorns; The one who dresses the sky with clouds dresses in clownish purple; He who liberated (from sin) Adam in the Jordan receives slaps; the Bridegroom of the Church is nailed; The Son of the Virgin is pierced by a spear. We worship Your sufferings, Christ, we worship Your sufferings, Christ, we worship Your sufferings, Christ, show us Your all-glorious Resurrection.
“Today hangs on the tree...” is the hymn of Matins on Good Friday, which has a special name: The Consequence of the Holy and Saving Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Meaning of the image
Rice.
5. At the Last Supper, Christ Himself gave rise to the Sacrament of the Eucharist . Everyone knows that every day all year round in Christian churches the Sacrament of Communion is celebrated, which is also called the Sacrament of the Eucharist (from the Greek thanksgiving). But few people know what Communion actually is and where it came from. The Eucharist is the miracle of the transformation of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ and their subsequent eating.
It was this Sacrament that gave rise to the Last Supper.
Supper is dinner. It is called a secret because the Lord arranged it for His disciples secretly, because the Pharisees were already looking for Him in order to destroy Him, they were waiting for the betrayal of Judas. At the Evening, the Lord gathered his followers in the Zion Upper Room to share the Meal with them for the last time, to honor the holiday of the Jewish Passover (the liberation of the Jews from Egyptian oppression), and, of course, to open the way for them to repentance and cleansing from sin through the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Before the holiday itself, Christ washed the feet of each of the apostles with his own hands, showing them an example of how they should serve each other. At the Meal itself, the Lord gives the disciples the last instructions and reminds them that He has to endure a lot and die in terrible agony. For the sake of strengthening their faith and the birth of the Church, the Lord establishes the Great Sacrament of the Eucharist. He broke the Bread, poured wine into the Cup and gave them to his disciples, saying that this is His Body and Blood, and whoever eats and drinks them will have their sins forgiven and forgiven.
“And while they were eating, Jesus took bread,
blessed, broke, gave to them and said: take, eat; this is My Body. And he took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them: and they all drank from it.”
Gospel of Mark, chapter 14
And he commands them from now on to do the same in memory of the Sacrifice that the Lord made for us. Thus, the Lord establishes a new Easter, where the only Sacrifice that is offered for us all is Himself.
We advise you to study the Leushinskaya Icon of the Mother of God
In the Upper Room of Zion
Why is it customary for everyone to receive communion on this day, Maundy Thursday? Because every Liturgy is the same Liturgy, but when the whole context is around - when there are stichera, chants, when we heard it all, when the proverbs are read - this is a special approach and a special entry into the Zion Upper Room. The best, the most favorable, beyond all barriers, for the sake of remembering the Last Supper, especially on this day, at this hour, in this space. Therefore, Orthodox people always prepare for this day. Of course, they must fast for the first three days of Holy Week. And they strive to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ precisely on the day of Maundy Thursday.
Where is the best place to hang the Last Supper icon in your home?
Rice.
6. The best place for an icon in the house is considered to be the “red corner”. According to Orthodox tradition, all icons in the house are usually placed in the “red corner” - a special place of prayer where family shrines are located. Usually there are icons of the Trinity, the Savior, the Mother of God and especially revered saints in the family. You can also hang the Last Supper icon here. If desired, this image can be hung above other icons, as is done in churches.
It is prohibited to place icons in the bathroom and toilet.
There is also a tradition of placing this icon in the refectory or kitchen. Before eating food and after eating, the whole family prays in front of the icon, asking for blessings from the Lord and thanking Him.
How does the prayer of Your Last Supper help?
An Orthodox Christian must remember that the Heavenly Father is the protection and support in the life of any layman. There is no need to be shy to ask the Lord, for He is merciful and righteous. The Prayer of Your Secret Supper is read in the following cases:
- In sorrows and sorrows. Gives you the opportunity to talk to God about life's difficulties.
- In an effort to be cleansed from the Fall and receive the Lord's forgiveness.
- In the kitchen or dining room before eating. Blesses for preparing and eating food. Expresses gratitude to the Lord for the opportunity to eat food.
From Golgotha to the present day
The current evening service, the Standing of the Twelve Gospels, is almost the pinnacle of the entire service. Now I’ll just make a general introduction for the evening service, and then we’ll talk about it separately.
Just as it was not in vain that I remembered the Catholic Jesuit, Father Miguel Arranz, I also remember with trepidation a woman, a former Protestant - professor at the University of Erlangen Fary von Lilienfeld, in Orthodoxy - Vera.
She also came to us in Russia, came to the ceremony of the Twelve Gospels. I stood in the church and listened. Service permeated her through and through. Amazing things: she saw and heard that this evening service of the Twelve Gospels had been preserved since the 4th century, one traveler in Jerusalem described and told it, so it passed through centuries, passed through countries, passed through Europe.
Johann Sebastian Bach wrote “Matthew Passion”, “John Passion”, where the structure is the same. And when Fary von Lilienfeld heard this, saw it, understood it, experienced it, she converted to Orthodoxy. She realized how amazingly, marvelously and beautifully the ancient experience, essence and even structure, which inspired Bach and other great artists of the past, European and modern times, have been preserved in Orthodoxy - from Golgotha to the present day.
It was amazing for her that this predestination exists, and that it was preserved most clearly in the Orthodox Church - and she accepted Orthodoxy.
Tears of a Jesuit
And here, I would even say, even the ancient enmity is removed... Several years ago I had the opportunity to listen to lectures by Father Miguel Arranz when he was still alive. Basque, Spaniard, Jesuit father, who could not tolerate the Russian cassock, Russian Orthodoxy, who boiled with indignation when he saw an Orthodox priest - I am a witness to this.
One day he attacked me in a terrible way - I won’t explain, for a long time. I regularly went to his lectures at St. Andrew's Monastery. For he is a liturgist and a Master of Theology, and I am a Master of Theology. After all, I, too, although small, am a liturgist, I had to hear this man, this is a colossal scientific mind.
O. Miguel Arranz
And so, with all his dislike for Orthodoxy, for the Orthodox clergy, he suddenly, when talking about Maundy Thursday, suddenly remembered his arrival at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra just on Orthodox Maundy Thursday. And he stood there at the very height of Soviet times and saw Orthodox Russian women and old women and peasants and men taking communion.
And he, a Jesuit, a hardened Jesuit, even in the story, when he spoke about the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and the Assumption Cathedral, a tear appeared. “How these people received communion! - speaks. “What a Communion it was!..” When this comes from the lips of a Jesuit, this is especially important. He understood and understood how the Lord gives this participation to Orthodox believers in the Last Supper and gives them all communion, without calling them schismatics and all sorts of other bad words.
The Orthodox perception of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, which burned even a Jesuit to the point that he shed tears. I remember this well, because I know his personal attitude towards the Orthodox clergy and towards Orthodoxy in general. But he appreciated it all!
History of writing
Rice. 2. Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco “The Last Supper” differs from the icon in its idea: it shows the reaction of Christ’s disciples to betrayal.
This famous New Testament event inspired many famous artists to paint. A striking example of this was the 16th century fresco “The Last Supper”, which was painted by the brilliant artist Leonardo da Vinci. The fresco is known throughout the world thanks to the unique technique that the artist used when painting. In the center of the picture is the Lord Jesus Christ sitting at a table, with His disciples sitting on either side of Him.
Da Vinci's fresco differs from the icon in its idea, which, first of all, the author wanted to convey. In the fresco, da Vinci conveys the reaction of Christ's disciples to the news of Judas' betrayal.
Rice. 3. The Last Supper icon can be seen in any Orthodox church above the Royal Doors.
The first icons of the Last Supper, like many others, were painted in the 1st century. In the 2nd century they become more detailed and symbolic.
In the 17th century, such icons took their main place in the Russian Orthodox church above the Royal Doors and in the refectory of the Russian tsars.
In those days, people did not yet sit at the table, eating food, but sat at benches on cushions or directly on the floor. And the table and chairs at which the Lord and His disciples sit became a prototype of the Throne on which the Sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated in the temple.
This icon is especially revered on Maundy Thursday during Holy Week before Easter - the day on which the Last Supper took place.
Cherubim and Seraphim do not understand, they cover their faces
And here we will all be unrequited. We will say: “Lord, we weren’t there.” And He will say: “Yes? How come you weren't there? I gave you communion. Disciples, apostles and everything from Trinity-Golenishchevo.”
You say: “Oh, what is this in the head of Father Sergius?” Yes, I just don’t have the intelligence in my old age to explain this well in theological and clear, firm language. And people tremble, fear and are afraid. And the priest’s hands burn and are horrified. Both Cherubim and Seraphim do not understand, they cover their faces: what are they doing there, how can people do this?
Cherub above the deacon's doors (with the Prudent Robber) in the central iconostasis. Troitskoye-Golenishchevo.
The following phenomena are known: one priest, as Bishop Anthony of Sourozh writes, says: “Lord, I cannot stand before the Throne today, I am a sinner, I condemned this, I said this, this is not it, and I did not have time to confess. How can I stand at the Throne?
And, as Bishop Anthony writes: and then, as if Someone in power moved him away and stood in front of him, and celebrated this Eucharist. The Lord always celebrates the Eucharist Himself.
This is how it was shown to that priest: “My dear, think, repent, ask God for forgiveness, so that you can be present and fulfill your duties, and with the word of the Lord sounding shake the air in this temple - both the Lord and the priest.” It's very scary. And this terrible Last Supper, it is so powerful, it has such an impact that people who understand, they themselves are horrified.
How to properly take communion in church?
It is customary to follow the rules indicating how to take communion in church. After confession, the priest gives his blessing to receive Holy Communion, which is celebrated on the same day. At the liturgy, after the Lord’s Prayer, the communicants approach the steps leading to the altar and wait for the priest to take out the Chalice. It is not appropriate to be baptized in front of the cup; you must listen carefully to the prayer.
At such a moment, there is no need to fuss, create a crowd - slowly approach the communion, letting children and the elderly pass first. In front of the Holy Chalice, fold your arms over your chest, say your name, open your mouth and swallow a piece, kiss the edge of the bowl, then go to the table with warm tea and prosphora, wash down the communion. After such actions, it is allowed to kiss icons and talk. It is prohibited to receive communion twice on the same day.
How to prepare for communion?
Preparation for the communion of an adult is to fast, make peace with enemies, not harbor feelings of hatred or malice, realize sinful offenses, regret what was done wrong, abstain from bodily pleasures for several days, perform prayers of repentance, and confess. The decision to give communion to seriously ill people is made by the priest without special preparation.
People who are in mortal danger, if they do not have the opportunity to prepare to receive the Holy Sacraments, are not deprived of the opportunity to receive communion. Church-baptized children under 7 years of age are allowed to receive communion without confession or fasting. After the Sacrament of Baptism, infants can receive communion very often; they are given a small particle - a drop in the guise of Blood.
Fasting before Communion
Before communion, it is customary to fast, to abstain from eating meat, dairy, and fish products for 3-7 days, unless this period includes the same fast established by the church for everyone, for example, Christmas or Great Lent. Deciding whether one can receive communion if one has not fasted due to the physical state of a person’s health must be done only on the advice of a clergyman. The exception to the rule is children under seven years of age and people whose health does not allow them to adhere to such a nutritional system.
The answer to the question whether it is possible for a repentant person to receive communion without confession is no. The priest listens to the sins of the repentant not out of curiosity, he is a mediator who testifies to God that the person repented, came to church, regretted, and expressed a desire to start life over a new leaf. The priest who confesses the person makes a decision on admission to communion and gives a blessing based on specific rules, and not personal motives.
Prayers before communion
On the day preceding communion, from the evening until the reception of the Sacraments, they refuse to eat and drink water, do not smoke cigarettes, and do not allow intimate relationships. You should first read prayers for communion - appeals to God in which he expresses his sinfulness in words and asks for forgiveness. Before confessing, they read the prayers of repentance called canons:
- canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ;
- prayer canon to the Most Holy Theotokos;
- canon to the Guardian Angel;
- following to Holy Communion.
It is difficult to read the prayers prescribed before communion in one evening; it is permissible to divide the reading of the rules into 2-3 days. The Canon for Communion (Rule for Communion) is read the night before, after which there are prayers for the coming sleep. Prayers before Communion (Rule for Communion) are read in the morning on the day of Communion, after morning prayers.
