Prayers of Thanksgiving for Holy Communion

The story of the sacrament

To understand and realize the importance of such a sacrament as communion, people need to turn to history. Most people tend to forget that it is in history that one can find answers to the questions that torment their minds. And the sacrament of holy communion is no exception. After all, he also has his own history, which goes back to ancient times, when the son of the Lord still walked the Earth.

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The Bible, which is the main book of all Orthodox Christians, says that this sacrament has existed for a long time. The reason for the emergence of the tradition of receiving communion was the Last Supper. If you delve a little deeper into history, you can find out why the Last Supper is given such great importance. According to legend, it was that evening that Jesus, while eating with his disciples, served them wine and bread. And for this reason it is believed that wine is the blood of Christ, and bread is his flesh.

However, this does not explain why the tradition of regularly receiving communion arose. The fact is that in those days faith was prohibited. In other words, all those people who preached Christianity were lawbreakers. Anyone who advocated the baptism of the people was subjected to severe torture and ultimately killed.

It is worth noting that it was in those terrible years that the first martyrs appeared who died for their faith. After all, first of all, the main task of the rulers of those times was to recognize paganism as the only faith. This is explained by the fact that the worship of pagan gods required complete obedience to the monarch. And since often the emperor ruling the country was not distinguished by mercy, many hated him, but could not overthrow him for fear of being punished by the gods.

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But the Christian faith was different and preached completely different ideals. And therefore, it is not difficult to guess why the rulers, accustomed to committing atrocities, did not want to recognize her. After the death of Jesus Christ, his disciples continued to serve the Lord and praise him. However, in doing so they encountered serious difficulties. And these difficulties were not caused by persecution by the authorities. The faithful followers of the Lord’s son were not at all afraid of execution. However, they could not find a way to honor their teacher, who left the world of the living, because:

there could be no question of publishing special religious literature;
open public speeches were impossible;
it was extremely difficult to preserve any writings;
the construction of churches was prohibited.

And then the disciples, remembering the words spoken by the teacher at the Last Supper, decided to honor him with holy communion. Moreover, this tradition gradually became known to those priests who, despite the existing ban, continued to glorify the Lord. But they couldn’t hold services in the church. And it was impossible to do this in front of everyone. Because the emperor's soldiers kept a close eye on anyone they suspected of serving the Lord.

Therefore, the priests were forced to perform this sacrament under the cover of darkness, which reliably sheltered them from the sight of enemies. Even lying on their bunks, the arrested bishops and priests continued to receive communion. This demonstrated how strong their faith was.

About behavior in the temple

We have sorted out the issues of interest. How to prepare for the sacrament, how to spend this day, is it possible to sleep after communion. There is very little time left, let's clarify some points regarding behavior in the temple.

Dear women, information for you! Now many young priests are allowed to begin the sacrament of communion while in uncleanness (critical days). This practice is completely unacceptable, remember. A woman can receive communion while unclean only in cases where life and death are involved. Therefore, on red days of the calendar, stay at home and refrain from visiting the temple.

Arrive at the service 10-15 minutes before the start. They calmly hand out notes, light candles, and touch icons. During the Divine Service, it is forbidden to walk around the temple (especially during the Cherubim Song and the reading of the Gospel). It is advisable to refrain from talking with neighbors and not to look around, examining parishioners. Just pray quietly with everyone.

When approaching confession, you should talk about your sins with restraint. There are times when confessors tell the whole church about what they are guilty of before God, and even in not entirely correct expressions. Father is a person, first of all, and a man. Women should especially remember this, because representatives of the fair sex more often confess publicly.

Communion in the modern world

Since then, this tradition has strengthened, people began to offer prayers of thanksgiving after Holy Communion. This tradition is still honored by all true believers. However, if previously people had to hide and receive communion in places that were not at all intended for this, now everything has changed.

Today people receive communion exclusively within the walls of the church. It is worth noting that some believers still do not fully understand that the liturgy is not an ordinary recollection or reproduction of events that occurred in the past. And church ministers tirelessly remind us of this. In fact, the liturgy is a sacrament for the reason that it is a continuation of the Last Supper. This becomes obvious if we remember exactly how the liturgy is conducted.

The priest in this case is only an instrument of the Lord. He repeats exactly the words that were spoken by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper. This is a very significant moment. Because in most cases, priests bring something of their own in the pastoral word or in conversation with people. However, this is completely unacceptable during the liturgy. Because it should represent only one thing - the appearance of Christ. In other words, it is through the clergyman that Jesus Christ himself acts during the liturgy.

Reading the canons and following the sacrament

Let's talk about what prayers to read before communion. Orthodox prayer books contain the necessary canons and following. It is necessary to read three canons with an akathist - that’s what they are called. The title makes it clear that the canons are large; in fact, reading takes about twenty minutes. Then we read the order for Holy Communion. In different prayer books the following is called either this or prayers for communion. Here you will have to reserve time; proofreading takes thirty to forty minutes.

Ideally, the canons are read the evening before communion, and the succession is read in the morning. However, this practice is gradually losing its effectiveness; people read out the necessary prayers in the evening.

So we found out what prayers to read before communion. For those who, due to illness, are unable to proofread, we publish a video recording of the reading of the sequence.

Rituals and traditions

It is also necessary to mention one tradition that is firmly established in one Syrian church. The ministers of this church have one very interesting custom. To prepare the bread that will be used during communion, church ministers always leave a piece of bread from the previous liturgy. At first glance, this custom seems strange. However, in reality this is not entirely true. The emergence of this ritual is quite logical and understandable.

According to ancient legend, at the Last Supper, not all disciples received an equal amount of bread from the hands of Jesus Christ. John the Theologian got two pieces. He ate one of them during the first Last Supper. But the second apostle kept it. Subsequently, it was this piece of bread that was used for subsequent liturgies conducted by disciples and other Christians. The meaning of this tradition is that even today Christians partake of the bread that was received from the hands of Jesus Christ himself.

Rules for reading prayer texts

The Sacrament of Communion is celebrated after the liturgy in the church. At the end of the service, the clergyman reads a prayer of gratitude to God after Communion for all those present. It happens that parishioners, upon returning home, take the prayer book themselves and recite the prayer texts. At the same time, it is important to be in a calm and peaceful mood.

The test, read after the sacrament, includes five separate prayers:

Gratitude;
Saint Basil the Great;
Symeon Metaphrastus;
short fourth;
To the Most Holy Theotokos.

Afterwards, the troparia and kontakia written to the saint in whose name the service took place are read. The main task of the text of gratitude is to thank the Almighty for mercy, so you need to pronounce them with all your heart and emotionally sublime.

How often should you take communion?

Perhaps this is the question ministers most often hear from their parishioners. In the old days, all people who were present at the liturgy had to accept the Holy Mysteries of Christ. However, sometimes there were those who refused to participate in the sacred rite. Then the priests inquired about the reason for the refusal. Moreover, everyone who refused to accept the sacrament had to have something to motivate their refusal. And most of the “refuseniks” cited the main reason that they were simply unworthy of such an honor.

Indeed, finding a person who would be worthy to receive the sacred sacrament will be very difficult. Because all people are sinners by nature. However, modern priests consider this only an excuse. Not a single person alive today is worthy of the honor bestowed by the Lord. And yet such grace was given to people. Therefore, it is a sin to refuse it. If the Almighty decided that people can join the sacrament, then they cannot challenge this decision. If you think about it, this excuse can be used every time.

It is believed that this only alienates a person from the Lord. It is for this reason that spiritual mentors recommend not to miss a single liturgy. In other words, believers should attend church every Sunday and on holidays. And at the same time receive the sacrament. Only in this case will they be able to draw closer to the Lord and gain true faith.

Fast

Fasting is a voluntary refusal of animal products. There are four main fasts and one-day fasts. Four long fasts are made throughout the year, one-day fasts are held on Wednesday and Friday. Orthodox Christians fast on Wednesday in memory of the Gospel events. On this day the Lord was betrayed by Judas, and on Friday he was crucified.

The first Christians fasted for a week before taking the sacrament. Now the fast has been reduced to three days, although only the priest can set the exact time of abstinence. With the blessing of the priest, concessions are made for fasting for pregnant and lactating women, the sick, travelers and children.

During fasting, as stated above, one avoids animal products. We will list what is hidden under this name:

Any types of meat.
Dairy products, including cheeses.
Muffins and baked goods containing milk and butter.
Eggs.
It is advisable to refrain from eating fish before communion.

This is a bodily or physical fast. However, there is spiritual fasting. A person refuses entertainment events, spouses abstain from intimacy for three days before communion.

Entertainment events are flexible concepts. This may include visiting a nightclub and reading a romance novel. Here's what you should give up when preparing to begin the sacrament of communion:

Reading detective stories, romance novels, collections of jokes. It is permissible to read classical literature, but selectively. “The Master and Margarita,” for example, does not promote proper preparation for communion. But it is advisable to talk with a priest about this topic, because everything is individual. For example, a schoolchild was asked to read part of a novel by Monday, and the sacrament on Sunday. Reading by obedience (assigned by the teacher) is quite acceptable.
Watching TV, computer games, wandering aimlessly on the Internet.
Singing and dancing.
Listening to worldly songs.
Visiting theaters, cinemas, exhibitions, discos, cafes and restaurants.
Visiting.

Three days is not a long time. A person is able to refuse the above for this time.

Prayers of gratitude after communion

It is necessary to immediately note the fact that after a person has received the sacred sacrament, he must offer prayers of thanks. And, unfortunately, only a few know about this. In most cases, people just leave the church and don't think about anything.

However, such behavior is fundamentally wrong. Because immediately after communion it is necessary to offer prayers to the Lord. These prayers are usually called thanksgiving prayers. It is not difficult to guess that these prayers are offered in order to thank the Lord for the mercy shown. Here is the most famous text of prayers, which you can read in order to express gratitude to the Lord.


	Prayer rules after Holy Communion

Glory to You, God. Glory to You, God. Glory to You, God.

Prayer of thanksgiving, 1st

I thank you, Lord, my God, for you have not rejected me as a sinner, but have made me worthy to be a partaker of your holy things. I thank You, for You have vouchsafed me, who is unworthy, to partake of Your Most Pure and Heavenly Gifts. But the Lord, the Lover of Mankind, for our sake, died and rose again, and granted us this terrible and life-giving Sacrament for the benefit and sanctification of our souls and bodies, grant this to me for the healing of soul and body, for the driving away of all that is resistant, for the enlightenment of the eyes of my heart , into the peace of my spiritual strength, into unashamed faith, into unfeigned love, into the fulfillment of wisdom, into the observance of Thy commandments, into the application of Thy Divine grace and the appropriation of Thy Kingdom; Yes, we preserve them in Your shrine, I always remember Your grace, and I live not for myself, but for You, our Master and Benefactor; and thus having gone from this life to the hope of the eternal life, I will achieve everlasting peace, where those who celebrate the unceasing voice and endless sweetness, who behold the ineffable kindness of Your face. For You are the true desire and the inexpressible joy of those who love You, Christ our God, and all creation sings to You forever. Amen.

Prayer 2, St. Basil the Great

Master Christ God, King of the ages, and Creator of all, I thank Thee for all the good things He has given me, and for the communion of Thy most pure and life-giving Mysteries. I pray to Thee, O Kinder and Lover of Mankind: keep me under Thy roof, and in the shadow of Thy wing; and grant me with a clear conscience, even until my last breath, to worthily partake of Your holy things, for the remission of sins and eternal life. For You are the living bread, the source of holiness, the Giver of good things, and we send up glory to You, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer 3, Simeon Metaphrastus

Having given me flesh by Your will, fire and scorch the unworthy, do not scorch me, my Creator; rather, go into my mouth, into all my parts, into my womb, into my heart. The thorns of all my sins fell. Cleanse your soul, sanctify your thoughts. Confirm the compositions with the bones together. Enlighten the simple five of feelings. Fill me with Thy fear. Cover me always, keep me, and save me from every deed and word of the soul. Cleanse and wash and adorn me; Fertilize, enlighten, and enlighten me. Show me Your village of the one Spirit, and not to anyone the village of sin. Yes, like Your house, the entrance of communion, like fire, every evildoer, every passion flees from me. I offer prayer books to You, all the saints, the orders of the disembodied, Your Forerunner, the wise Apostles, and to this Your undefiled, pure Mother, graciously accept their prayers, my Christ, and make Your servant a son of light. For You are the sanctification and the only one of ours, the Good One, of souls and lordship; and like unto You, like God and the Master, we send all glory every day.

Prayer 4

May Thy Holy Body, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, be unto me for eternal life, and Thy Honest Blood for the remission of sins: may this thanksgiving be unto me joy, health and gladness; at Thy terrible and second coming, vouchsafe me, a sinner, to the right hand of Thy glory, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all the saints.

Prayer 5, to the Most Holy Theotokos

Most Holy Lady Theotokos, light of my darkened soul, hope, protection, refuge, consolation, joy, I thank Thee, for Thou hast vouchsafed me, unworthy, to be a partaker of the Most Pure Body and Honest Blood of Thy Son. But She who gave birth to the true Light, enlighten my intelligent eyes of the heart; You who gave birth to the Source of immortality, revive me, killed by sin; Even the merciful Mother of God, have mercy on me, and give me tenderness and contrition in my heart, and humility in my thoughts, and appeal in the captivity of my thoughts; and grant me, until my last breath, to receive consecration of the most pure Mysteries without condemnation, for the healing of soul and body. And give me tears of repentance and confession, to sing and praise Thee all the days of my life, for Thou art blessed and glorified forever. Amen. Now do You let Your servant go, O Master, according to Your word, in peace: for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people, a light for the revelation of tongues and the glory of Your people Israel. Trisagion. Holy Trinity... Our Father...

Troparion of St. John Chrysostom, tone 8

With your lips, like the lordship of fire, grace shining forth, enlighten the universe: do not gain the love of money and the treasures of the world, showing us the height of humility, but chastising with your words, Father John Chrysostom, pray to the Word of Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion, tone 6

Glory: You have received Divine grace from heaven, and through your lips you have taught us all to worship the one God in the Trinity. All-blessed John Chrysostom, Reverend, we worthily praise you: you are a mentor, as if you are manifesting the Divine. And now: The intercession of Christians is not shameful, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, but advance, as the Good One, to the aid of us who faithfully call Thee: hasten to prayer, and strive to supplicate, ever interceding, the Mother of God, who honor Thee. If the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great was celebrated, read the troparion to Basil the Great, tone 1: Thy message went forth into all the earth, as thou didst most divinely teach it to those who received thy word, thou didst understand the nature of beings, thou hast adorned human customs, the royal priesthood, reverend father, pray to Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion, tone 4

Glory: You have appeared as an unshakable foundation for the church, giving to all inconspicuous dominion by man, sealing with your commands, the unappearing Reverend Basil. And now: Intercession of Christians... If the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was celebrated, read the troparion to Saint Gregory the Dvoeslov

Gregory Dvoeslov, voice 4:

Whom have we received from God above divine grace, O glorious Gregory, and whom we strengthen with strength, who thou hast deigned to walk in the gospel, from whom thou hast most blessedly received from Christ the recompense of labor: pray unto him that he may save our souls.

Kontakion, tone 3

Glory: You appeared to the Chief to be the shepherd of Christ, the monks of the succession, Father Gregory, instructing the heavenly fence, and from there you taught the flock of Christ with His commandment: now you rejoice with them, and rejoice in the heavenly roofs.

And now: Intercession of Christians... Lord, have mercy. ( 12 times)

Glory, even now. The most honorable cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim, who gave birth to God the Word without corruption, the real Mother of God we magnify Thee

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

And troparia are read to the saint, according to whose order the liturgy was performed. Option 1, if the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom was performed, the troparion to St. John is read:

The grace that shone from your lips, like a fiery torch, enlightened the universe. She did not acquire the treasure of the love of money for the world, but she showed us the height of your humility. Father John Chrysostom, teaching us with your writings, pray to the Word - Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Pious, most blessed John Chrysostom, you received divine grace from heaven and teach with your lips everyone to worship the One God in the Trinity. We duly praise you, for you are the leader who explains the divine.

And now and always and forever and ever. Amen. Reliable protection of Christians, unchanging Intercessor before the Creator, do not despise the prayerful voices of sinners, but hasten, O Merciful One, to help us, who with faith exclaim to You: “Hurry to intercede and hasten to prayer, Mother of God, always protecting those who honor You.”

Option 2, if the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great was celebrated, the troparion to St. Basil is read:

Your voice filled the whole earth, which accepted your word, with which you worthily taught the foundations of the divine faith, explained the nature of everything that exists, and regulated human morals. Royal priest, reverend father, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. You have appeared as the unshakable foundation of the Church, endowing all people with an inalienable treasure and sealing it with your teaching, Rev. Basil revealed from heaven!

And now and always and forever and ever. Amen. Reliable protection of Christians, constant intercessor before the Creator, do not despise the prayerful voices of sinners, but hasten, O Merciful One, to help us, who with faith exclaim to You: hasten to intercede and hasten to pray, Mother of God, always protecting those who worship You.

Option 3, if the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was celebrated, the troparion is read to Saint Gregory the Dvoeslov:

Having received divine grace from above, glorious Gregory, from God, and strengthened by His power, you desired to walk the path of the Gospel - therefore, O All-Blessed One, you received the reward for your labors from Christ - pray to Him that He may save our souls.

Kontakion

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. You, Father Gregory, appeared as an imitator of the Chief of the Shepherds of Christ, guiding hosts of monks into the heavenly courtyard, and therefore you taught the sheep of Christ His commandments. Now you rejoice with them and rejoice in the heavenly abodes.

After which the end of the prayers of thanksgiving:

Lord have mercy. (12 times)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.
We magnify You as the true Mother of God, who gave birth without illness to God the Word, worthy of greater honor than the Cherubim, and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim.
After Communion of the Body and Blood of the Lord, let everyone remain in purity, abstinence and laconicism, so as to worthily preserve within themselves the Christ received.

Prayer of thanksgiving, first.

I thank You, Lord, my God, that You did not reject me, a sinner, but made me worthy to partake of Your Holy Things. I thank You that You have vouchsafed me, unworthy, to partake of Your most pure heavenly Gifts.

But, Lord-Love of Mankind, who died for us and rose again and gave us these terrible life-giving Mysteries for the benefit and sanctification of our souls and bodies, make them also for me to heal my soul and body, to repel every enemy,

to the enlightenment of the eyes of my heart, to the peace of my spiritual strength, to firm faith, to unfeigned love, to the enlightenment of the mind, to the observance of Thy commandments, to the increase of Thy divine grace and to the acquisition of Thy Kingdom;

so that, being preserved by them in purity before You, I will always remember Your mercy and live no longer for myself, but for You, our Lord and Benefactor. And thus, having departed from this life in the hope of Eternal life, I will come to a place of eternal peace, where the voices of the triumphant do not cease and where the joy of those who look at the indescribable beauty of Your face is endless.

For You are the true goal of aspiration and the inexpressible joy of those who love You, Christ our God, and all creation sings to You forever. Amen.

Second prayer, St. Basil the Great.

Master, Christ God, King of the ages and Creator of the whole world! I thank You for all the blessings that You have given me, and for the communion of Your most pure and life-giving Mysteries.

And so I pray to You, O merciful and Lover of Mankind: keep me under Your protection in the shadow of Your wings, and grant me with a clear conscience, until my last breath, to worthily partake of Your Holy Things for the remission of sins and eternal life.

For You are the Bread of Life, the Source of sanctification, the Giver of blessings. And we send glory to You, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Third prayer, St. Symeon Metaphrastus.

Lord, who voluntarily gave me Your flesh as food, You are the fire that burns the unworthy! Don't burn me, my Creator! But go into the members of my body, into all the joints, into the entrails, into the heart, and the thorns of all my sins fell.

Cleanse my soul, sanctify my thoughts, strengthen me in my activities, enlighten my feelings, imbue me with fear of You. Always protect, protect, take care of me from every deed and word harmful to the soul.

Cleanse, wash, arrange me; decorate, admonish and enlighten me. Make me Your temple of the one Spirit and no longer a dwelling place of sin, so that after receiving Communion every evildoer, every passion will flee from me, as from Your house, as from fire.

As intercessors for myself, I present to You all the saints, the leaders of the disembodied Powers, Your Forerunner, the wise Apostles and, above them, Your immaculate, most pure Mother. Accept their prayers, my merciful Christ, and make Your servant a son of light.

For You, the Merciful One, alone are the sanctification and illumination of our souls. And to You, as befits God and Master, we all send glory to You every day.

Prayer four.

May Your Holy Body, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, be for me for eternal life, and Your precious Blood for the remission of sins: and may this communion be for me joy, health and gladness. At Thy terrible and second coming grant me, a sinner, to stand in Thy glory, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all the saints.

Fifth prayer, to the Most Holy Theotokos.

Most Holy Lady Theotokos, light of my darkened soul, hope, protection, refuge, consolation, my joy! I thank You that You have vouchsafed me, unworthy, to partake of the most pure Body and precious Blood of Your Son.

You who gave birth to the true Light, enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart. O Thou who gave birth to the Source of immortality, revive me, deadened by sin. Merciful Mother of the merciful God, have mercy on me and give me tenderness and contrition in my heart, humility in my thoughts, a return to the good thoughts of my mind, in cases of its infatuation.

And grant me, until my last breath, without being condemned, to accept the shrine of the most pure Mysteries for the healing of soul and body. And give me tears of repentance and thanksgiving, so that I may sing and glorify You all the days of my life, since You are Blessed and glorified forever. Amen.

Now do You let Your servant go, Master, according to Your word, in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all nations, a light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.

Trisagion

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Bow)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.