Edifying Quotes from the Sacred Liturgy

Anhelyna · Feb 8, 2016

The version of the Pre-Communion Prayer [ just as a point of interest - this is the ONLY prayer during the Divine Liturgy that is not sung in our Churches ] as used by the UGCC

I believe, O Lord and confess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first. Accept me this day, O Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not tell the mystery to your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief, I confess to You:

† Remember me, O Lord when You come into Your kingdom.

† Remember me, O Master, when You come into Your kingdom.

† Remember me, O Holy One, when You come into Your kingdom.

May the partaking of Your Holy Mysteries, O Lord, be unto me not for judgement or condemnation but for the healing of soul and body.

† God be merciful to me, a sinner.

† God cleanse me of my sins, and have mercy on me.

† I have sinned without number, forgive me, O Lord.

~Anastasia~ · Feb 8, 2016

We do not say the pre-communion, nor thanksgiving prayers, as a body in our parish. The bishop expressed concern that people may say them without receiving, and thus compound the issue of being present at the Liturgy and refusing Christ. We do have extensive prayers in our Liturgy books, and Father makes sure we know that we are to say them privately.

He does pray as part of his prayers as the priest ones that ask the same things as far as preparation, and does read the most general thanksgiving prayer from our book as part of the dismissal prayers (which I'm sure means they are part of the general form of the Liturgy).

When I visited the Antiochian parish, there was a prayer of Thanksgiving to the Theotokos which was especially nice in their Liturgy book. I've asked for a copy of it. I'll try to type it in later.

~Anastasia~ · Feb 8, 2016

All4Christ said:
The people in the Orthodox Church all pray this before partaking of the Eucharist:

I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first. I believe also that this is truly Thine own pure Body, and that this is truly Thine own precious Blood. Therefore I pray Thee: have mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, of knowledge and of ignorance. And make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries, for the remission of my sins, and unto life everlasting. Amen.

Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord in Thy Kingdom.

May the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries be neither to my judgment, nor to my condemnation, O Lord, but to the healing of soul and body. Amen.

And prayed silently after the Eucharist:

I thank Thee, O Lord my God, 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 our soul and body, the repelling of every adversary, the illumining of the eyes of my heart, the peace of my spiritual power, 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 pass 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 God, and all creation sings Thy praise forever. Amen.

We have several more preparation prayers in our book, and they are slightly different. But you quoted my very favorite thanksgiving prayer. We have about 5 or 7 thanksgiving prayers in all in our book, but I always read that one as slowly and carefully as I can.

Wgw · Feb 8, 2016

~Anastasia~ said:
We do not say the pre-communion, nor thanksgiving prayers, as a body in our parish. The bishop expressed concern that people may say them without receiving, and thus compound the issue of being present at the Liturgy and refusing Christ. We do have extensive prayers in our Liturgy books, and Father makes sure we know that we are to say them privately.

He does pray as part of his prayers as the priest ones that ask the same things as far as preparation, and does read the most general thanksgiving prayer from our book as part of the dismissal prayers (which I'm sure means they are part of the general form of the Liturgy).

When I visited the Antiochian parish, there was a prayer of Thanksgiving to the Theotokos which was especially nice in their Liturgy book. I've asked for a copy of it. I'll try to type it in later.

What jurisdiction are you in?

~Anastasia~ · Feb 8, 2016

Wgw said:
What jurisdiction are you in?

Greek. But I believe it is particular to our bishop (Bp. Alexios, I think). I have visited other Greek parishes in another archdiocese, and they did say them, iirc.

(It could have been a previous bishop or the Archbishop - I really don't know exactly who it came from, only the reason given.)

All4Christ · Feb 8, 2016

~Anastasia~ said:
Greek. But I believe it is particular to our bishop (Bp. Alexios, I think). I have visited other Greek parishes in another archdiocese, and they did say them, iirc.

(It could have been a previous bishop or the Archbishop - I really don't know exactly who it came from, only the reason given.)

The local Greek parish near me does say the precommunion prayers. I do know of another parish (OCA) in a nearby state that used to not say it as a congregation. They changed priests though and the current priest encourages the congregation to say it. At our parish, we normally say it softly and not all together in complete unison like you hear with the Nicene creed at some other churches. I guess that helps people who aren't going to communion to not feel like they have to say it?

~Anastasia~ · Feb 8, 2016

Speaking of saying things all together, the experience at Liturgy this past Sunday was - unique - in many respects. Sadly, the choir just didn't show up, so I think at the last minute everything changed.

There were many results - some not so happy. Some things I never would have realized were "wrong" without having learned something from the pov of the choir, chanters, etc. But one "mistake" was a good thing.

We normally have someone "lead" such things as the Creed and the Our Father in different languages. However, by some happenstance, when it came time to recite the Creed in English, there was no voice to lead us. What happened though is everyone started reciting it. The voices were strong, stayed in time together, and recited correctly. I wish I could explain what a HUGE impact that made on me. It was a completely different experience, as if WE THE PEOPLE in the Liturgy really WERE the ones "doing the work of the people". It was terrifically unifying and encouraging and strengthening. It might not sound like anything much, but having never experienced it that way, it almost knocked me over to hear a full Church proclaiming Truth strongly and in no uncertain terms.

Glory to God!

Wgw · Feb 15, 2016

~Anastasia~ said:
Greek. But I believe it is particular to our bishop (Bp. Alexios, I think). I have visited other Greek parishes in another archdiocese, and they did say them, iirc.

(It could have been a previous bishop or the Archbishop - I really don't know exactly who it came from, only the reason given.)

I tend to favour the praxis of your bishop as being more broadly conducive to liturgical style.

~Anastasia~ · Feb 15, 2016

Wgw said:
I tend to favour the praxis of your bishop as being more broadly conducive to liturgical style.

I thnk there are several things rather unique to our parish - with our bishop's blessing - that as far as I understand, fit well with historic liturgical style.

I think ours is the only parish that has retained the "kiss of peace" ... Father said it is because the people understand and don't use it as a meet and greet time. We quickly exchange greetings with those nearest us (though visitors might get just a tad extra attention) as a point of unity for the recitations.

I was saddened when traveling to note none of the other parishes did it.

Wgw · Feb 15, 2016

~Anastasia~ said:
I thnk there are several things rather unique to our parish - with our bishop's blessing - that as far as I understand, fit well with historic liturgical style.

I think ours is the only parish that has retained the "kiss of peace" ... Father said it is because the people understand and don't use it as a meet and greet time. We quickly exchange greetings with those nearest us (though visitors might get just a tad extra attention) as a point of unity for the recitations.

I was saddened when traveling to note none of the other parishes did it.

Actually, your parish revived it; in the Byzantine Rite, with some possible extremely obscure exceptions, the Kiss of Peace was exchanged only between clergy for several centuries. I believe only the Oriental rites have retained something of an authentic congregational kiss of peace. Their process I think should be imported into the Byzantine rite where a desire exists to revive the pax.

~Anastasia~ · Feb 16, 2016

Well, seeing as how our parish is only a little over a hundred years old ...

That's interesting though. But I don't know much of what goes on in the Greek parishes the people come from. They tell me little bits sometimes. Our services are obviously different in a number of ways ...

Shane R · Feb 17, 2016

The Collect for the feast day of Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs (14 February):

Lord of all,
who gave to your servants Cyril and Methodius
the gift of tongues to proclaim the gospel to the Slavs:
make your whole Church one as you are one
that all Christians may honour one another,
and east and west acknowledge
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
and you, the God and Father of all;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Wgw · Mar 6, 2016

I found myself quoting from Prayer I from the Holy Unction service to someone who blasphemously alleged Holy Unction is Satanic:

O Lord, Grant that this oil becomes the oil of gladness, the oil of sanctification, a royal robe, an armor of might, the deflecting of every satanic assault, the seal of immunity from snares, the gladness of heart, everlasting joy; that also in this, they who shall be anointed with this oil of rebirth may be strong against their adversaries, and may shine in the radiance of Your Saints, having neither spot nor wrinkle, and that they may be admitted into Your eternal rest, and receive the award of the calling from above.

~Anastasia~ · Mar 6, 2016

Wgw said:
Actually, your parish revived it; in the Byzantine Rite, with some possible extremely obscure exceptions, the Kiss of Peace was exchanged only between clergy for several centuries. I believe only the Oriental rites have retained something of an authentic congregational kiss of peace. Their process I think should be imported into the Byzantine rite where a desire exists to revive the pax.

I meant to ask, Wgw, out of curiosity - what is the process used in the Oriental rites? You are saying that was the original Byzantine Rite process? I'm curious ...

Wgw · Mar 6, 2016

~Anastasia~ said:
I meant to ask, Wgw, out of curiosity - what is the process used in the Oriental rites? You are saying that was the original Byzantine Rite process? I'm curious ...

The hands are clasped together with your neighbour, and you then unclasp, kiss your hands, and then repeat. Sometimes you touch the heart. In the Syriac Orthodox Church, the altar boys receive the kiss from the priest and convey it to the laity. whereas it is more freeform with the Copts. The Armenians on the other hand kiss each cheek, European style (or in the manner of Byzantine clergy). I don't know how the Ethiopians do it.

~Anastasia~ · Mar 6, 2016

Wgw said:
The hands are clasped together with your neighbour, and you then unclasp, kiss your hands, and then repeat. Sometimes you touch the heart. In the Syriac Orthodox Church, the altar boys receive the kiss from the priest and convey it to the laity. whereas it is more freeform with the Copts. The Armenians on the other hand kiss each cheek, European style (or in the manner of Byzantine clergy). I don't know how the Ethiopians do it.

Thank you.

I have not seen this. In our parish, generally we clasp hands and kiss each cheek. Some (not all) exchange the greeting of wherever we are in the liturgical year (the one that is usually Christ is in our midst/He is and ever shall be). Perhaps this then was adopted in imitation of the clergy.

Mary of Bethany · Mar 18, 2016

~Anastasia~ said:
Speaking of saying things all together, the experience at Liturgy this past Sunday was - unique - in many respects. Sadly, the choir just didn't show up, so I think at the last minute everything changed.

There were many results - some not so happy. Some things I never would have realized were "wrong" without having learned something from the pov of the choir, chanters, etc. But one "mistake" was a good thing.

We normally have someone "lead" such things as the Creed and the Our Father in different languages. However, by some happenstance, when it came time to recite the Creed in English, there was no voice to lead us. What happened though is everyone started reciting it. The voices were strong, stayed in time together, and recited correctly. I wish I could explain what a HUGE impact that made on me. It was a completely different experience, as if WE THE PEOPLE in the Liturgy really WERE the ones "doing the work of the people". It was terrifically unifying and encouraging and strengthening. It might not sound like anything much, but having never experienced it that way, it almost knocked me over to hear a full Church proclaiming Truth strongly and in no uncertain terms.

Glory to God!

I understand completely! The first time I visited the Anglican parish we eventually joined after leaving our Baptist church, hearing the Creed cited by the congregation brought me to tears! It was as if for the first time, I was hearing exactly what I believed and knew to be true.

Glory to God!

Mary

All4Christ · Mar 30, 2016

...O Holy God, Who is resting among the holy ones, praised by the Seraphim with the thrice-holy voice, glorified by the Cherubim, and worshiped by every celestial power, You have brought all things into being out of nothing. You have created man according to Your image and likeness and adorned him with all the gifts of Your grace. You give wisdom and understanding to the one who asks, and You overlook not the sinner, but have set repentance as the way of salvation. You have granted us, Your humble and unworthy servants, to stand even at this hour before the glory of Your holy Altar of sacrifice and to offer to You due worship and praise. Master, accept the Trisagion Hymn also from the lips of us sinners, and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive all our voluntary and involuntary transgressions...

Edifying Quotes from the Sacred Liturgy

Handmaid of God

† Handmaid of God †

† Handmaid of God †

Pray For Brussels!

† Handmaid of God †

✙ The Handmaid of God Laura ✙

† Handmaid of God †

Pray For Brussels!

† Handmaid of God †

Pray For Brussels!

† Handmaid of God †

Priest

Pray For Brussels!

† Handmaid of God †

Pray For Brussels!

† Handmaid of God †

Only one thing is needful.

✙ The Handmaid of God Laura ✙

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