Of all the church rites, repentance and communion are among the most responsible in the life of every Christian who relates himself to the Orthodox faith. But great responsibility involves careful scrupulous preparation, the most important components of which are prayers before confession and communion.
Why pray before the sacrament?
How to tell God what is in your soul? Of course, through prayer. So we communicate with higher forces, share our feelings with them, ask for help or express gratitude. If that which burdens the soul remains unspoken, a person becomes discouraged and feels miserable. Often this is reflected in his loved ones, career, communication with friends and personal life. There is no need to accumulate anxieties in oneself, it is better to voice them, even if it is even a conversation with oneself or a prayer.
Orthodox prayers before confession and communion are not a duty, not a punishment for wrongdoing, and not an obligation. Moreover, if you perceive them that way, then it is definitely too early for you to learn the Sacrament of Communion. Do not fall for the canons, if the spirit does not require it. Any violence against oneself in this matter is a sign that a person is mentally unprepared for change.
Prayers for confession and communion (especially the second) in the Orthodox world are mandatory, however, they are read only if the communion is fully confident in his choice and decision. Prayer before Communion includes three Canons (see below) and pronounced the day before, before the images before going to bed. But prayer at home should not replace communion in the church. Pronouncing the holy text in the house of God passes through other channels and brings the prayer a special spiritual peace, also being an expression of respect for religion and faith.
Confession Preparation
If there is a feeling that preparing for repentance does not contain any difficulties, then think twice. Sins already committed must be voiced so that there is no doubt about your sincere repentance. In confessional words, there is power to combat the sins of the future. The misconduct itself is not only a serious violation of the Orthodox canons, but even a thought in which you disagreed with the will of God.
None of us are flawless, so hundreds of temptations haunt us in our daily lives. The temptation of self-seduction, which is considered a serious sin, is especially great. To repent is to desire changes in the soul. The way you confess will be the basis for complete repentance. You can’t confess badly or well: everything is determined by the measure of self-awareness and the natural desire for change without coercion.
What should confession contain? We list the main thing:
- The list of committed sins. It is unacceptable to conceal or hush up any facts - in this way you are deceiving not only God, but also yourself.
- If it is difficult to imagine how to repent, read the relevant biographies from the blessed being — for example, St. Theodora.
- Saying sin is not only confessing it, but also letting it go to repentance, so confession without pronouncing the desired out loud will not be complete.
- Try to maintain strength of mind. Strong crying is dangerous self-seduction and excessive self-pity. Bumping into tears, you do not repent, but only give vent to feelings and fall into self-love.
- If you are afraid that you will forget about any transgressions, do not hesitate to make a list of them beforehand.
- At first, voice the misconduct that you have the hardest time to remember. That which causes us the greatest discomfort and is the subject of shame, causes serious damage to the soul. But the total weight of petty sins is sometimes heavier than joint “terrible” sins.
- Remember that you repent to the Almighty, and do not ask for forgiveness for one specific sin or several wrongdoings. Just listing them is the wrong step. You should feel remorse, and not try to hit him “mechanically”, banally pronouncing the names of sins aloud.
- A detailed confession is not an abundance of unnecessary words. Be informative, but do not spread thought on the tree. Try to speak clearly, carefully, think over your words, build meaningful phrases. But talking about committed sins is unnecessary.
- To justify oneself is a bad form. God must forgive you.
In order to tune in the necessary spiritual mood and enter into a graceful trance, the following prayer is said before confession:
“God and Lord of all! Every breath and soul that has power, One can heal the mighty of you, hear the prayer of me, the cursed one, and the serpent nesting in me with the influx of the Most Holy and Life-Giving Spirit, killing the consume: I also exist in poverty and nakedness of all virtue, at the feet of my holy father (spiritual) save him, and his holy soul to mercy, hedgehog mercy, attracters. And give, Lord, in my heart the humility and thoughts of goodness, befitting a sinner who agrees to repent to you, and do not completely leave the soul to one, who was united to you and confessed to you, and who chose and opted for you instead of the whole world: Lord, have mercy being saved, my custom, and my crafty one, is an obstacle: but you, Vladyka, are possible, the essence is all, the tree is impossible to be from a person. Lord, help me wholeheartedly repent. Amen!"
Not a single confession will bring results unless it is supported by concrete actions, and this must be remembered.
What prayers should be read before confession and communion?
Inexperience and fear of condemnation often prevent a person from properly preparing for repentance and communion. Some arrogantly rely on memory or horizons, which is why during the process itself they look absurd. It is one thing to have sincere intentions, but not to possess the necessary knowledge due to lack of experience. It is quite another to consider oneself above seeking help from knowledgeable people. Ritual preparation includes compulsory recitation of prayers.. They make it possible to plunge into the atmosphere of reverent awe and feel it with all my heart. You can pronounce before confession prayer of Simeon the New Theologian in Church Slavonic:
“God and Lord of all, every breath and soul having power, is the only one to heal the mighty! Hear the prayer of me, a cursed one, and the serpent nesting in me, with the influx of the All-Holy and Life-giving Spirit, killing the consuming. And me, the beggar and naga of every virtue, existed, at the feet of my holy father (duhavnago) with tears to save with good, and his holy soul to mercy, hedgehog me, attract. And give, Lord, in my heart humility and thoughts of goodness, fitting for a sinner who agrees to repent to you; and let them not completely leave the soul united, which was combined with Thee and professed Thee, and instead of the world chose and chose Thee. Vesi bo, Lord, as I want to be saved, my custom, too crafty, is an obstacle: but you, Master, are possible, the essence is all, the tree is impossible to be from a person. Amen".
You can read prayers for holy communion by starting with prayers of St. John of Damascus. It is short enough, but it contains everything necessary to mentally prepare for the sacrament:
“Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord, merciful and philanthropic, one who has the power to forgive sins to people, despise (forget), forgive all my sins, conscious and unconscious, and allow me to consecrate Your divine, glorious, pure and life-giving Mysteries without condemnation as punishment, not in the multiplication of sins, but in purification, sanctification, as a guarantee of a future life and kingdom, in a solid stronghold, in defense, and defeat of enemies, in the extermination of many of my sins. For YOU are the God of mercy and generosity, and of humanity, and we glorify you with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and forever and ever. Amen!"
If you need a prayer before the sacrament and confession, the text of which includes gratitude to the higher powers for assistance in this difficult process, you can download it here.
Prayer to St. Basil the Great
To repent of sins and ask for forgiveness for committed misconduct, the fifth prayer of St. Basil the Great is read, which is part of the morning rule, binding on the Orthodox faithful:
“Lord Almighty, God of strength and all flesh, in the highest living and humble you regard, you shall test hearts and wombs and the innermost of human beings foreknowledge, the Beginning and Submittal to the Light, But He has no use, or offerings overshadowing; Himself, Immortal to the King, accept our prayers, even now, against your many bounties, boldly, we will be persuaded from filthy to you, and leave us our sins, even by deed, and by word, and by thought, knowledge or ignorance, which we have sinned; and cleanse us from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. And grant us, with a cheerful heart and sober thought, all our real lives to pass away, waiting for the coming of the light and revealed day of Your Only Begotten Son, the Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, the Judge will come all the same with glory, it shall be given to give according to his deed; let it not be fallen and lazy, but keep awake and exalt in making it done, in the joy and divine hall of His glory we shall sweep, even when they are celebrating the voice of unceasing, and the indescribable sweetness of your sighted persons with indescribable kindness. Thou art the true Light, enlighten and sanctify all, and Th sings all creature forever and ever. Amen!"
Prayer to St. John Chrysostom
Before performing the ceremony of repentance and communion, be sure to memorize and repeatedly repeat the second prayer of John Chrysostom, which is included in the Follow-up to Holy Communion. Follow all stresses correctly:
“Lord, my God, it’s as though I had a dignity, I am satisfied below, but under the shelter of the temple of my soul, I was still completely empty and fell, and not even me was worthy of little more, but be a little shorter. humble yourself now my humility; and I also took it in a den and in a crib only of the dumb surroundings, I perceived it and in my crib only my dubious souls, and my defiled body was taken into account. And I also did not fail to heed, and to light from the sinner in the house of Simon the proclaimed, that they also took away my humble soul, leaked and sinful, into the house; and I also did not repudiate if she was like me, a harlot and a sinner, who came and touched Thee, who was tender and merciful to me and sinning, who came and touched Thyx; and I was not abhorred by her nasty lips and unclean, kissing you, below mine abhorred foul lips and unclean, unclean and unclean tongues, and unclean But may Thy Coal be blessed with Thy Body, and Thy honest Blood, in sanctification and enlightenment and health of my more humble soul and peace, in the relief of the heaviness of my great remission, in the mortification of passions, in the supply of thy commandments, in the application of your divine grace, and the assignment of your kingdom. Not by much despising the coming to You, O Christ, but by daring at Your unforgettable mercy, and not at all be far removed from Thy fellowship, from the thoughtful wolf of the beast-catcher.I also pray to you: it is the only Holy One, Lord, sanctify my soul and body, mind and heart, womb and mornings, and all I have renewed, and Thy rooted root in my souls, and Thy sanction has been completely removed; and be my helper and concession, who has nourished my beloved in the world, comprehending me and your righteous appearance with Your saints, prayers and prayers, Your Most Holy Blessed and Divine Amen!"
Psalms before the sacrament
In order for the sacrament procedure to be carried out in accordance with the church canons and not violate the established charters, they are also deducted three psalms numbered 22, 23 and 115. The first psalm refers to the Lord, who gave life and guidance on the true path, mentions the greatness of his will and universal mercy. The staff and rod of the Lord are mentioned as a weapon of protection for the believer:
“The Lord grazes (leads) me and does not deprive me of anything. There, on a vicious place, He settled me and brought me up by the calm water. He turned my soul, directed me on the path of truth for the sake of His name. Even if I go in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of evil, for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff - they comforted me. You have prepared a meal for me in the sight of my oppressors, anointed my head with oil, and Your bowl gives me water as excellent! And thy mercy follows me all the days of my life. And I will abide in the house of the Lord for many days! ”
In a religious chant No. 23 the beauty and power of the earth created by the Lord is glorified, the King of Glory is glorified:
“The Lord’s earth and everything that fills it, the universe and all who live in it. He founded it on the seas and built it on the rivers. Who will climb the mountain of the Lord? Or who will stand in His holy place? He who does not have perfect hands and a pure heart, who in his soul was not keen on vanity and did not swear craftyly to his neighbor. This one will receive a blessing from the Lord and mercy from God his savior. Such is the kind of seekers of the Lord, seekers of the face of the God of Jacob! Princes, raise up your gates and rise, everlasting gates! And the King of Glory will enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord is strong and strong, the Lord is strong in battle. Princes, raise up your gates and rise, everlasting gates! And the King of Glory will enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of forces, He is the King of Glory. "
By reading psalm 115, express your full will to accept the will of God, rejecting all pride and repenting of sins:
“I believed and therefore said: I am very afflicted. But I said in my frenzy: every man is lying. What will I pay the Lord for all that He has given me? I will receive the cup of salvation and I will call the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord before all his people. Honest before the Lord is the death of His saints. Lord I am Your servant. I am Your servant and the son of Your slave. You have broken my bonds. I will offer you a sacrifice of praise and I will call upon the name of the Lord. "I will fulfill my vows to the Lord before all his people, in the courtyards of the house of the Lord, among you, Jerusalem!”
A memo for the upcoming Holy Communion
The sacrament of Communion cannot be performed without proper preparation. Prayer and repentance are the main stages of preparation, but this is not enough. If you follow the prescribed instructions, it is welcome, but the whole way of life must go according to gospel principles. The church and religion are full of forgiveness, but the hypocrisy and the so-called “one-day holiness”, when following the principles of Christianity appears spontaneously, in one second, are not welcomed too warmly. Especially if the past life was full of sinfulness. One needs to wish for change and unity with the Creator with the whole soul, so that the message comes from its depths, and not from selfish motives or blind fear.
You can pray before communion in the house or in the church. Anyone who wants to share the Holy Mystery of Christ must prepare his spirit for this, spending long hours in prayer and participating in worship in the church. Immediately before the procedure, an evening service is attended.
Prayer preparation includes reading several specific texts:
- Follow up to Holy Communion;
- Canon repented to Christ;
- Canon of service to the Virgin;
- Canon of the Guardian Angel;
- Akathist to Holy Communion.
If everything happens during the Bright Week, you can replace the reading of the above prayers with the Easter canon. However, if you have free time, do not miss the opportunity to deduct all the akathists and canons.
Spiritual purification is necessarily supported by liturgical fasting. If you have fallen from the faith, never fasted before, and are new to the faith, the priest may impose an additional restriction in the form of a three-day or seven-day fast. Abstinence from fast food is not the only part of fasting. You should eat as modest and moderate as possible, stop watching entertainment shows for a while, do not attend game performances, and leave listening to secular music. If you live in a marriage, do not enter into a bodily act of communication with the second half a day before Communion.
Half a day before the sacrament, drinking and food completely ceases, the same applies to tobacco products. The church makes an exception for those who are required to take medication on a schedule. Physical purity is accompanied by an appropriate mental attitude. Anger, resentment, irritability, envious and other evil thoughts are completely abandoned - they are unacceptable. Spend time alone with yourself and in prayers, read the gospel and other spiritual literary sources.
The Sacrament of Communion begins only after you clear the spiritual component in the Sacrament of Penance. Simply put, one should repent of the sins of the Almighty, and the bishop or priest will witness the act. Before confession make peace with your offenders, ask for forgiveness from those whom you offended. The very purpose of the confession is to discover the hidden in its character, to identify the traits and emotions that interfere with a righteous life according to religious charters. Pour out everything that lies with a stone on the soul, but at the same time do not look for excuses and do not blame others for personal troubles and misfortunes.
Ideally, if the confession took place on the eve of the sacrament. So you will have time to participate in the morning liturgy. Do not be late, appear in the temple in advance: being late is regarded as disrespect for God, the ministers of the church and parishioners. Children under the age of seven are communed without confession.
