How to read correctly
Before the sacrament of communion, it is customary for the Orthodox to observe 3 days of fasting, and there are also more prayers than usual. Three canons are read:
- Canon to the Guardian Angel - since this is a person’s spiritual mentor, one must repent of one’s sins before him;
- Canon to the Mother of God - Orthodox Christians turn to her in any life situations, of course she also takes part in the matter of salvation;
- The canon of repentance for the Lord Jesus Christ - He will determine the fate of the soul of every Christian, therefore repentant feelings must be directed specifically to the Son of God.
The text can be found in any Orthodox prayer book. For those who have never read many prayers before, it may be difficult to complete everything you need at one time. Therefore, it is customary to combine the canons - but in fact the reduction is very small, and the meaning will be more difficult to perceive. There is another option: since the preparation (fasting) usually lasts three days, it is recommended to read according to the canon per day, in addition to the evening rule.
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It is usually customary to receive communion during fasts, because there are quite a lot of them, and not everyone can withstand such preparation in addition to them. And since food restrictions are already present, all that remains is to add prayers and attend services.
Read the canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ in Russian
Song 1
Like Israel, who walked through the abyss like dry land, seeing the persecutor Pharaoh drowned, we sing and proclaim a victory song to God. Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me! Now I, sinful and burdened, approach You, my Lord and God! I don’t dare look at heaven, but I just ask, saying: give me reason, Lord, so that I bitterly mourn my deeds! Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me! Oh, woe to me, a sinner! I am the most unfortunate of all people, I have no repentance! Oh, give me tears, Lord, so that I may bitterly mourn my deeds!
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit! O foolish, unhappy man! You are wasting your time in laziness! Imagine your life and turn to the Lord God and weep bitterly about your deeds! And now, and always, and forever! Amen. Most Pure Mother of God! Turn your gaze on me, a sinner, and deliver me from the devil’s snare. and put me on the path of repentance, so that I bitterly mourn my deeds!
Song 3
There is no one like You in holiness, O Lord my God, who has lifted up the horn of Your faithful, O Good One, and established us on the rock of Your confession. When the thrones of the Last Judgment are set, then the affairs of all people will be revealed! There will be woe to the sinners who are sent to flour! And knowing this, my soul, turn from your evil deeds! The righteous will rejoice, and the sinners will cry! Then no one will be able to help us, but our very deeds will condemn us! Therefore, before the end, turn from your evil deeds! Glory: Alas for me, a great sinner, defiled by deeds and thoughts: from hardness of heart I have not a drop of tears! Now rise up from the earth, my soul, and turn from your evil deeds! And now: Oh, Lady! Here Your Son calls to you and teaches us good things, but I, a sinner, always shy away from good things! You, merciful one, have mercy on me, so that I may turn from my evil deeds!
Sedalen, voice 6th
I reflect on the terrible day and mourn my evil deeds. How will I respond to the immortal King, or with what boldness will I, the prodigal, look at the Judge? Merciful Father, Only Begotten Son and Holy Spirit, have mercy on me! Glory, even now: Theotokos: Now being bound by many shackles of sins and surrounded by many sufferings and troubles, I resort to You, my salvation, and cry out: Help me, Virgin Mother of God!
Song 4
Christ is my strength, my God and Lord! Thus the worthy Church sings magnificently, crying out from pure meaning and rejoicing in the Lord. Here the path is wide and convenient for pleasure, but how bitter it will be on the last day, when the soul is separated from the body! O man, keep yourself from them, for the sake of the Kingdom of God! Why do you offend the poor, steal a worker’s wages, don’t love your brother, show fornication and pride? So, my soul, leave this and correct yourself for the sake of the Kingdom of God! Slava: Oh, foolish man! How much longer will you wallow in collecting your wealth like a bee? Soon it will perish, becoming dust and ashes, and you seek more of the Kingdom of God! And now: Madam Mother of God! Have mercy on me, a sinner, and strengthen and preserve me in virtue, so that insolent death does not snatch me away unprepared, and bring me, Virgin, to the Kingdom of God!
Song 5
O Good One, illuminate with Your divine light the souls who stand before You with love in the morning, so that You, the Word of God, may be known as the true God! So I pray, calling out from the darkness of sin. Remember, unfortunate man, how enslaved you are by your sins to lies, slander, robbery, infirmities, and fierce beasts! My sinful soul, is this what you wanted? My members are trembling, for I have committed all of them: looking with my eyes, listening with my ears, speaking evil with my tongue, betraying myself entirely to hell! My sinful soul, is this what you wanted? Glory: Oh, Savior, You have already accepted the repentant fornicator and robber, but I am still burdened with sinful laziness and enslaved to evil deeds! My sinful soul, is this what you wanted? And now: Mother of God, wonderful and quick helper to all people! Help me, unworthy, for my sinful soul already wanted it!
Song 6
Seeing the sea of life disturbed by the storm of temptation, I ran to Your quiet pier, crying out to You: O Most Merciful One, raise my life from corruption! I lived my life on earth as a prodigal, and betrayed my soul into darkness, but now, merciful Master, I beg You: free me from this slavery of the enemy and give me reason to do Your will! Who does something like me? For just as a pig lies in the mud, so I serve sin. But You, Lord, tear me out of this vileness and give me such a heart as to fulfill Your commandments! Slava: Unhappy man! Remember your sins, rise up to God, falling to the Creator, shedding tears and groaning! He is merciful and will give you reason to know His will! And now: Virgin Mary! Save me, O Most Pure One, from visible and invisible evil and take my petitions and pass them on to Your Son, may He give me the understanding to do His will!
Kontakion
My soul! Why are you rich in sins, Why are you fulfilling the devil’s will, where do you place your hope? Stop and turn to God weeping, crying: merciful Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!
Ikos
Imagine, my soul, the bitter hour of death and the terrible judgment of your Creator and God, when you, soul, will be caught by formidable forces and led into the eternal fire! Therefore, before you die, correct yourself, crying out: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!
Song 7
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The angel watered the oven for the holy youths, but scorched the Chaldeans with the command of God, forcing the tormentor to cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers! Do not rely, my soul, on bodily wealth and on collecting earthly goods, because you do not know to whom you will leave it all, but rather cry out: Christ God, have mercy on me, unworthy! Do not trust, my soul, in bodily health and fleeting beauty, because you see that both the strong and the young are dying, but rather cry out: Christ God, have mercy on me, unworthy! Glory: Remember, my soul, eternal life and the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for the saints, and outer darkness and the wrath of God for the evil, and cry: Christ God, have mercy on me, unworthy! And now: Come, my soul, to the Mother of God, and ask her, and She, the quick helper of those who turn, will ask the Son, Christ God, and He will have mercy on me, unworthy!
Song 8
He poured out moisture from the fire to the saints and burned the sacrifice of the righteous with water. You, Christ, do whatever you want! We praise You at all times. How can I help but cry when I imagine death, For I saw my brother lying in the coffin, inglorious and ugly? What do I expect and what do I hope for? Lord, give me only repentance before the end! (Twice). Glory: I believe that You will come to judge the living and the dead! Then everyone will stand in their rank: old and young, rulers and princes, virgins and priests, but where will I end up? Therefore I cry: Lord, give me repentance before the end! And now: Most Pure Mother of God! Accept my unworthy request, and save me from arrogant death, and give me repentance before the end!
Song 9
It is impossible for people to see God, whom even the ranks of angels do not dare to look at! Through You, O All-Pure One, the incarnate Word appeared to people, magnifying Which, we with the heavenly powers please You. Now I turn to you, angels, archangels and all the heavenly powers standing at the Throne of God! Ask your Creator to save my soul from eternal torment! Now I cry before you, holy forefathers, kings and prophets, apostles and saints and all the chosen ones of Christ! Help me at the trial, so that He can save my soul from the enemy’s power! Glory: Now I lift up my hands to you, holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, righteous people and all the saints, asking the Lord for the whole world to have mercy on me at the hour of my death. And now: Mother of God! Help me, who rely greatly on You, ask Your Son, so that when He sits to judge the living and the dead, He will place me, unworthy, at His right hand! Amen.
The Lord is always with you!
In the canons, the chorus as a prayer appeal is pronounced before the first and second (and third, when there is one) troparion of each song, but is not read before the troparion beginning with “Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” and “And now and ever and unto ages of ages.” . Amen".
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One of the most important and most commonly used forms of Orthodox prayer is the canon. The most widespread in liturgical church practice are the canons to the Lord, one of which was the penitential canon to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, great Christian holidays and saints. The canons are read in churches as one of the main parts of the services of Matins, Compline, and Midnight. The canons are included in the cell rule of monks and confessors. In its structure, the canon consists of nine songs, however, at a regular service only eight are read, since the second song, which is a canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus, is distinguished by a feeling of special repentance and heartfelt contrition. This canon is read only during the period of Great Lent. The main theme heard in this prayer work is the description of Old Testament events, as well as the contrition of a sinful people for the sins they have committed and requests for mercy.
Interpretation of the canon of repentance to Jesus Christ
In the canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ, an Old Testament event is depicted as a New Testament event. This relationship has a very deep meaning and significance for the Orthodox Church. In the New Testament, Old Testament events acquire the most important educational significance - they describe what happened after the coming of Christ. The repentant canon to Jesus Christ begins with the exclamation of the Israeli people: “Let us sing a victorious song to God!” Next, the prayer appeal - “Have mercy on me, O God” is pronounced before the first and second troparia. Christians ask the Lord to give them reason, tears, to put them on the path of repentance, so that they can cry bitterly about their sinful deeds. Each line of the canon is permeated with a call for repentance to the souls of sinners. The canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ also includes the Sedal of the Theotokos to the Mother of God, in which sinners ask the Mother of God to save them from visible and invisible evil, to accept their prayers, and convey them to the Son of God, to give them the mind to do His will. Each song of the canon accompanied by the chorus - Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me!
Listen to the video of the canon of repentance to Jesus Christ
Text of the Orthodox penitential canon to the Lord Jesus Christ
Song 1
As Israel walked across the dry land, with footsteps across the abyss, seeing the persecutor Pharaoh drowned, we sing a victorious song to God, crying out.
Lord Jesus Christ
Chorus:
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Now I, a sinner and burdened, have come to You, my Master and God; I don’t dare look at heaven, only I pray, saying: give me, O Lord, understanding, so that I may weep bitterly for my deeds.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Oh, woe to me, a sinner! I am the most damned man of all; there is no repentance in me; Give me, Lord, tears, so that I may weep bitterly for my deeds.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Foolish, wretched man, you waste time in laziness; think about your life, and turn to the Lord God, and weep bitterly about your deeds.
Chorus:
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokos
Most Pure Mother of God, look at me, a sinner, and deliver me from the snare of the devil, and guide me on the path of repentance, so that I may weep bitterly for my deeds.
Blessed Virgin Mary
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Contained by many misfortunes, I resort to You, seeking salvation: O Mother of the Word and the Virgin, save me from heavy and cruel things.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Passions trouble me; fill my soul with much despondency; die, O Young Lady, with the silence of Your Son and God, All-Immaculate.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having given birth to You and God, I pray, Virgin, to be delivered from the cruel ones: for now, running to You, I stretch out both my soul and my thoughts.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Sick in body and soul, grant the Divine visitation and providence from You, the only Mother of God, as the good Mother of the Good.
Guardian angel
To Jesus:
Lord Jesus Christ my God, have mercy on me.
Sing and praise the song, O Savior, worthy of Your servant, the disembodied Angel, my mentor and guardian.
Chorus:
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
I am the only one lying in foolishness and laziness now, my mentor and guardian, do not leave me perishing.
Glory: Direct my mind with your prayer, do God’s commandments, so that I may receive remission of sins from God, and teach me to hate the evil ones, I pray to you.
And now: Pray, O Maiden, for me, Thy servant, to the Benefactor, with my guardian Angel, and instruct me to do the commandments of Thy Son and my Creator.
Song 3
There is no one holy like You, O Lord my God, who has lifted up the horn of Your faithful, O Good One, and established us on the rock of Your confession.
Lord Jesus Christ
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Whenever thrones are set at the Last Judgment, then the deeds of all people will be exposed; woe there will be a sinner, sent to torment; and then, my soul, repent from your evil deeds.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
The righteous will rejoice, and the sinners will weep, then no one will be able to help us, but our deeds will condemn us; Likewise, before the end, repent from your evil deeds.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Alas for me, the great sinner! Having been defiled by deeds and thoughts, I have not a drop of tears from hardness of heart; now arise from the earth, my soul, and repent from your evil deeds.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokos:
Behold, O Lady, Thy Son calls and teaches us to do good, but the sinner always runs from good; but You, Merciful One, have mercy on me, so that I may repent of my evil deeds.
Blessed Virgin Mary
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I offer the intercession and protection of my life to Thee, the Virgin Mother of God: Thou feed me to Thy refuge, the good one, the affirmation of the faithful, the only All-Singing One.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I pray, Virgin, to destroy the storm of my spiritual confusion and sorrow: You, O Blessed One of God, gave birth to the ruler of the silence of Christ, the only Most Pure One.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having given birth to good and guilty benefactors, pour out riches of good deeds to all, for all you can, as you have given birth to the mighty one in the strength of Christ, O blessed One.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
To those who are tormented by fierce ailments and painful passions, O Virgin, help me: for healings I know You are an inexhaustible treasure, Immaculate, inexhaustible.
Guardian angel
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
I place all my thoughts and my soul on you, my guardian; Deliver me from every misfortune of the enemy.
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
The enemy tramples me, and embitters me, and teaches me to always do my own desires; but you, my mentor, do not leave me to perish.
Glory: Sing a song with thanksgiving and zeal to the Creator and God give me, and to you, my good guardian angel: my deliverer, rescue me from the enemies who embitter me.
And now: Heal, Most Pure One, my many ailing scabs, even in the soul, heal the enemies who always fight with me.
Lord, have mercy (three times).
Sedalen to the Lord Jesus Christ
I think about the terrible day and weep for the deeds of my evil ones: how will I answer the Immortal King, or with what boldness will I look at the Judge, the prodigal one? Compassionate Father, Only Begotten Son and Holy Soul, have mercy on me.
Glory:
Sedalen to the Guardian Angel
From the love of my soul I cry out to you, the guardian of my soul, my all-holy Angel: cover me and always protect me from evil deception, and guide me to heavenly life, admonishing and enlightening and strengthening me.
And now:
Theotokos.
To the Blessed Most Pure Mother of God, who without Seed gave birth to all the Lord, pray to him with my guardian angel to deliver me from all bewilderment, and to give tenderness and light to my soul and purification through sin, who alone will soon intercede.
Song 4
Christ is my strength, God and Lord, the honest Church sings divinely, crying out from a pure meaning, celebrating in the Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
The path here is wide and pleasing to create sweetness, but it will be bitter on the last day, when the soul will be separated from the body: beware of this, man, from the Kingdom for the sake of God.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Why do you offend the poor, withhold bribes from a mercenary, do not love your brother, persecute fornication and pride? Forsake this, my soul, and repent for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
O foolish man, how long will you gather your wealth like a bee? Soon it will perish like dust and ashes: but seek rather the Kingdom of God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokos:
Lady Theotokos, have mercy on me, a sinner, and strengthen me in virtue, and protect me, so that insolent death does not snatch me away unprepared, bring me, O Virgin, to the Kingdom of God.
Blessed Virgin Mary
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The confusion of my passions, the helmsman who gave birth to the Lord, and the storm of my sins calmed, O Bride of God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Grant me the abyss of Thy mercy, Who gave birth to the Blessed One and the Savior of all who sing to Thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Enjoying, O Most Pure One, Thy gifts, we sing in thanksgiving the song leading Thee, O Mother of God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
On the bed of my illness and infirmity, for those who lie down, as God-loving, help the Mother of God, the only Ever-Virgin.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Hope and affirmation and salvation are the wall of the immovable property of You, the All-Singing One, we get rid of every inconvenience.
Guardian angel
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
Pray to God, the Lover of Mankind, my guardian, and do not forsake me, but keep my life in peace forever and grant me invincible salvation.
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
As the intercessor and guardian of my life, you are received from God, Angel, I pray to you, holy one, free me from all troubles.
Glory: Cleanse my depravity with your shrine, my guardian, and may I be excommunicated from the part of Shuiya by your prayers and become a partaker of glory.
And now: I am bewildered by the evils that have befallen me, O Most Pure One, but deliver me from them quickly: I am the only one who has come to You.
Song 5
With Thy God's light, O Blessed One, illumine the souls of Thy morning with love, I pray, Lead Thee, the Word of God, the true God, crying out from the darkness of sin.
Lord Jesus Christ
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Remember, accursed man, how you were enslaved to lies, slander, robbery, weakness, a fierce beast, for the sake of sins; My sinful soul, is this what you wanted?
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
They tremble, for I have committed guilt by all: with my eyes I behold, with my ears I hear, with my evil tongue I speak, I betray everything to myself to hell; My sinful soul, is this what you wanted?
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Thou hast received the fornicator and the repentant thief, O Saviour, and I am the only one burdened with sinful laziness and enslaved by evil deeds; My sinful soul, is this what you wanted?
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokos:
Wonderful and quick helper to all people, Mother of God, help me, unworthy, for my sinful soul desires it.
Blessed Virgin Mary
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Fill, O Pure One, my heart with joy, Thy incorruptible joy that gives birth to joy, which gave birth to the guilty.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Deliver us from troubles, pure Mother of God, giving birth to eternal deliverance, and peace, which prevails over all minds.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Resolve the darkness of my sins, Bride of God, with the enlightenment of Your Grace, Who gave birth to the Divine and Eternal Light.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Heal, O Pure One, the infirmity of my soul, worthy of Thy visitation, and grant me health through Thy prayers.
Guardian angel
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
As if I had boldness towards God, my holy guardian, I begged Him to deliver me from the evils that offend me.
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
Bright light, brightly enlighten my soul, my mentor and guardian, given to me by God to the Angel.
Glory: Sleeping me with the evil burden of sin, keep me vigilant, O Angel of God, and raise me up for praise through your prayer.
And now: Mary, Lady of the Brideless Mother of God, the hope of the faithful, lay down the heaps of the enemy, and those who sing make you glad.
Song 6
The sea of life, raised in vain by misfortunes and storms, has flowed to Your quiet refuge, crying out to You: lift up my belly from aphids, O Omni-merciful One.
Lord Jesus Christ
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Having lived fornication on earth and given my soul into darkness, now I pray to Thee, Merciful Master: free me from the work of this enemy, and give me the understanding to do Thy will.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Who creates something like me? Just as a pig lies in feces, so I serve sin. But You, Lord, pluck me from this vileness and give me the heart to do Your commandments.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Rise up, accursed man, to God, remembering your sins, falling to the Creator, crying and groaning; He, who is merciful, will give you the mind to know His will.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokos:
Virgin Mother of God, save me from visible and invisible evil, Most Pure One, and accept my prayers, and convey them to Your Son, that He may give me the mind to do His will.
Blessed Virgin Mary
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
As if He saved death and aphids, He Himself gave birth to death, corruption and death my former nature, Virgin, pray to the Lord and Thy Son, to deliver me from the enemies of crime.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We are Your representative of life and your steadfast guardian, O Virgin, and I solve rumors of misfortunes and drive away taxes from demons; and I always pray to deliver me from the aphids of my passions.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Like a wall of refuge for money-grubbers, and all-perfect salvation for souls, and space in sorrows, O Young Lady, and we always rejoice in Your enlightenment: O Lady, save us now from passions and troubles.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Now I lie on my sickbed, and there is no healing for my flesh: but, having given birth to the God and Savior of the world and the Savior of ailments, I pray to You, O Good One: raise me from aphids.
Guardian angel
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
Free me from all misfortunes, and save me from sorrows, I pray to you, holy Angel, given to me by God, my good guardian.
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
Illuminate my mind, O blessed one, and enlighten me, I pray to you, holy Angel, and always instruct me to think usefully.
Glory: Tidy my heart from real rebellion, and be vigilant, strengthen me in good things, my guardian, and guide me wonderfully to the silence of animals.
And now: the Word of God dwells in You, Mother of God, and man shows You the heavenly ladder; Because of you, the Most High has come down to us to eat.
Lord, have mercy (three times).
Glory, even now.
Kontakion to Jesus Christ
My soul, why are you rich in sins, why do you do the will of the devil, why do you place your hope in this? Stop from this and turn to God with tears, calling: Merciful Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Ikos to Jesus Christ
Think, my soul, the bitter hour of death and the terrible judgment of your Creator and God: For threatening angels will understand you, my soul, and will lead you into eternal fire: for before death, repent, crying: Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.
Song 7
The angel made the venerable cave into the venerable youth, and the Chaldeans, the scorching command of God, exhorted the tormentor to cry out: Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers.
Lord Jesus Christ
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Do not trust, my soul, in corruptible wealth and in unrighteous gatherings, for you will not leave all this to anyone, but cry out: have mercy on me, O Christ God, unworthy.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Do not trust, my soul, in bodily health and fleeting beauty, for you see how the strong and the young die; but cry: have mercy on me, O Christ God, unworthy.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Remember, my soul, eternal life, the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for the saints, and the total darkness and the wrath of God for the evil, and cry: have mercy on me, O Christ God, unworthy.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokos
Come, my soul, to the Mother of God and pray to her, for she is a quick helper to the repentant, she will pray to the Son of Christ God, and will have mercy on me, the unworthy.
Blessed Virgin Mary
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Just as you wanted to create our salvation, O Savior, you moved into the Virgin’s womb, and you showed the world a representative: our father, God, blessed are you.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Commander of mercy, Whom you gave birth to, Pure Mother, beg him to get rid of sins and spiritual impurities by faith: our father, God, blessed are you.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Treasure of salvation and the Source of incorruption, who gave birth to You and the pillar of affirmation and the door of repentance, You showed to those calling: Our Father, God, blessed are You.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Bodily weaknesses and mental ailments, O Theotokos, with the love of those who approach Thy blood, O Virgin, vouchsafe to heal, Who gave birth to us the Savior Christ.
Guardian angel
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
Be merciful to me and beg God, O Lord Angel, for I have you as an intercessor in my whole life, a mentor and guardian, given to me by God forever.
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
Do not leave on the journey of my accursed soul killed by a robber, holy Angel, who was betrayed by God without blemish; but I will guide you on the path of repentance.
Glory: I bring all my disgraced soul away from my evil thoughts and deeds: but first, my mentor, grant me healing with good thoughts, so that I always deviate onto the right path.
And now: Fill everyone with wisdom and Divine strength, Hypostatic wisdom of the Most High, for the sake of the Mother of God, for the sake of those who cry out with faith: Our father, God, blessed art thou.
Song 8
You poured out dew from the flames of the saints and burned the righteous sacrifice with water: you did everything, O Christ, only as you wished. We extol You forever.
Lord Jesus Christ
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Why shouldn’t the Imam cry when I think about death when I see my brother lying in the grave, inglorious and ugly? What do I lose and what do I hope for? Just grant me, Lord, before the end repentance (twice).
I believe that you will come to judge the living and the dead, and everyone will stand in their rank, old and young, rulers and princes, virgins and priestesses; where will I find myself? For this reason I cry: grant me, Lord, repentance before the end.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokos:
Most Pure Mother of God, accept my unworthy prayer, and save me from impudent death, and grant me repentance before the end.
Blessed Virgin Mary
Holy Mother of God, save us
Do not despise those who demand help from You, O Virgin, who sing and extol You forever.
Holy Mother of God, save us
You heal the infirmity of my soul and bodily illnesses, Virgin, may I glorify You, Pure, forever.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
You pour out a wealth of healing faithfully to those who sing of Thee, O Virgin, and to those who extol Thy ineffable Nativity.
You drive away adversity and the onset of passions, O Virgin: therefore we sing of You forever and ever.
Guardian angel
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
Sent from God, strengthen the belly of my servant, your servant, most good Angel, and do not leave me forever.
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
You are a good angel, my soul's mentor and guardian, most blessed, I sing for ever.
Glory: Be my protection and take away all people on the day of testing; good and evil deeds are tempted by fire.
And now: Be my helper and silence, O Ever-Virgin Mother of God, Thy servant, and do not leave me deprived of Thy dominion.
Song 9
It is impossible for a man to see God; the angels do not dare to look at him; By You, O All-Pure One, the Word Incarnate as man, Who magnifies Him, with the heavenly howls we please You.
Lord Jesus Christ
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Now I come running to you, Angels, Archangels and all the heavenly powers standing at the Throne of God, pray to your Creator, that He may deliver my soul from eternal torment.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Now I cry to you, holy patriarchs, kings and prophets, apostles and saints and all the chosen ones of Christ: help me at the trial, so that my soul will be saved from the power of the enemy.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.
Now I will lift up my hand to you, holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, righteous women and all the saints who pray to the Lord for the whole world, that He may have mercy on me at the hour of my death.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Theotokos:
Mother of God, help me, who trusts most strongly in You, beg Your Son to place me, unworthy, at His right hand, when the judge of the living and the dead sits. Amen.
Blessed Virgin Mary
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Do not turn away from the current of my tears, Even as the Virgin who gave birth to Christ took away every tear from every face.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who accepts the fulfillment of joy and consumes sinful sadness.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Be a refuge and intercession for those who come running to You, O Virgin, and an unbreakable wall, a refuge, and protection, and joy. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Enlighten Your light with the dawnings, O Virgin, driving away the darkness of ignorance, faithfully confessing Theotokos to You.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In the place of the bitterness of the infirmity of the humbled one, O Virgin, heal, transforming ill health into health.
Guardian angel
To Jesus:
Lord Jesus Christ, my God, have mercy on me.
Have mercy on me, my only Savior, for You are merciful and merciful, and make me a partaker of righteous faces.
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.
Grant me always to think and create, O Lord Angel, good and useful, as she is strong in weakness and blameless.
Glory: Because you have boldness towards the Heavenly King, pray to Him, along with other incorporeal ones, to have mercy on me, the accursed one. And now: Having much boldness, O Virgin, to Him who became incarnate from You, deliver me from my bonds and grant me permission and salvation through Your prayers.
What is canon
This is a type of church poetry that has a certain form.
- Consists of 9 songs (but it is not necessary to sing them, usually choristers do this at services; at home, ordinary reading is suitable);
- Each song begins with an irmos, followed by a short chorus, which is repeated in each song.
- Finally, there are two more verses.
At the end there is a prayer that summarizes the whole meaning of turning to the Lord. Reading takes about 10 minutes, if a person is new to the text, more experienced people can do it faster. You can read the canons while you are standing in line for confession in church, it will be very appropriate. After all, the canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ is designed to awaken in a person a feeling of repentance.
In what cases is the canon read?
The essence of this chant comes down to the repentance of a person and the softening of his heart and soul. The Penitential Canon to the Lord Jesus Christ is one of the main texts included in the rule before communion. Preparation for the sacrament consists of several rules:
- three days of fasting;
- confession;
- diligent repentance and prayer, reading the rules for Holy Communion.
It is better to confess on the same morning on which communion is planned; this can be done at the morning Liturgy. The main part of the preparation for receiving the sacrament should take place in a person’s soul; you can pray at the evening liturgy, which will take place the day before.
In addition to the rule for Holy Communion, the canon for the Lord Jesus Christ is read in the following cases:
- at repentance;
- for the treatment of serious illnesses;
- in case of any other needs.
Reading this canon brings the soul closer to God, a person thereby praises the Lord, asks him for mercy and protection, he repents of his sins and cleanses the soul before the Creator.
Repentance in Orthodoxy
Reading prayers is not the most important thing; it is important that a person feels a new state within himself. This is a desire to change, regret for one’s sins. For many, the first step is simply recognizing that you did something wrong. After all, modern people are taught to think that they themselves are the masters of life and are free to do whatever they want. This opinion leaves no room for God; He is not needed, because man himself knows everything. Therefore, it is difficult for many to abandon the practice of denouncing everyone except themselves in confession.
Repentance is not simply a declaration that a Christian has done wrong. There must be regret about what you have done. There is no need to reassure yourself that there were no serious sins (for example, adultery). An unkind word addressed to a neighbor can also hurt him greatly and lead to despondency. And this destroys the soul. The canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ teaches that even thoughts can defile a person.
Why is repentance needed?
Every person needs to repent for the sins they have committed; repentance removes a burden from the heart, improves mood and brings the soul closer to God. Through constant prayer on earth, you can enter the Kingdom of God after death. People who live with the Lord in their hearts and try to follow the commandments live happily and do not know troubles.
It is important to read the canon to the Lord Jesus Christ slowly, delving into every word, understanding what is being said.
Listen online to the canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ
Read the penitential canon in Russian
Song 1
Like Israel, who walked through the abyss like dry land, seeing the persecutor Pharaoh drowned, we sing and proclaim a victory song to God. Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me! Now I, sinful and burdened, approach You, my Lord and God! I don’t dare look at heaven, but I just ask, saying: give me reason, Lord, so that I bitterly mourn my deeds! Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me!
Oh, woe to me, a sinner! I am the most unfortunate of all people, I have no repentance! Oh, give me tears, Lord, so that I may bitterly mourn my deeds!
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit! O foolish, unhappy man! You are wasting your time in laziness! Imagine your life and turn to the Lord God and weep bitterly about your deeds!
And now, and always, and forever! Amen. Most Pure Mother of God! Turn your gaze on me, a sinner, and deliver me from the devil’s snare. and put me on the path of repentance, so that I bitterly mourn my deeds!
Song 3
There is no one like You in holiness, O Lord my God, who has lifted up the horn of Your faithful, O Good One, and established us on the rock of Your confession. When the thrones of the Last Judgment are set, then the affairs of all people will be revealed! There will be woe to the sinners who are sent to flour! And knowing this, my soul, turn from your evil deeds! The righteous will rejoice, and the sinners will cry! Then no one will be able to help us, but our very deeds will condemn us! Therefore, before the end, turn from your evil deeds! Glory: Alas for me, a great sinner, defiled by deeds and thoughts: from hardness of heart I have not a drop of tears! Now rise up from the earth, my soul, and turn from your evil deeds! And now: Oh, Lady! Here Your Son calls to you and teaches us good things, but I, a sinner, always shy away from good things! You, merciful one, have mercy on me, so that I may turn from my evil deeds!
Sedalen, voice 6th
I reflect on the terrible day and mourn my evil deeds. How will I respond to the immortal King, or with what boldness will I, the prodigal, look at the Judge? Merciful Father, Only Begotten Son and Holy Spirit, have mercy on me! Glory, even now: Theotokos: Now being bound by many shackles of sins and surrounded by many sufferings and troubles, I resort to You, my salvation, and cry out: Help me, Virgin Mother of God!
Song 4
Christ is my strength, my God and Lord! Thus the worthy Church sings magnificently, crying out from pure meaning and rejoicing in the Lord. Here the path is wide and convenient for pleasure, but how bitter it will be on the last day, when the soul is separated from the body! O man, keep yourself from them, for the sake of the Kingdom of God! Why do you offend the poor, steal a worker’s wages, don’t love your brother, show fornication and pride? So, my soul, leave this and correct yourself for the sake of the Kingdom of God! Slava: Oh, foolish man! How much longer will you wallow in collecting your wealth like a bee? Soon it will perish, becoming dust and ashes, and you seek more of the Kingdom of God! And now: Madam Mother of God! Have mercy on me, a sinner, and strengthen and preserve me in virtue, so that insolent death does not snatch me away unprepared, and bring me, Virgin, to the Kingdom of God!
Song 5
O Good One, illuminate with Your divine light the souls who stand before You with love in the morning, so that You, the Word of God, may be known as the true God! So I pray, calling out from the darkness of sin. Remember, unfortunate man, how enslaved you are by your sins to lies, slander, robbery, infirmities, and fierce beasts! My sinful soul, is this what you wanted? My members are trembling, for I have committed all of them: looking with my eyes, listening with my ears, speaking evil with my tongue, betraying myself entirely to hell! My sinful soul, is this what you wanted? Glory: Oh, Savior, You have already accepted the repentant fornicator and robber, but I am still burdened with sinful laziness and enslaved to evil deeds! My sinful soul, is this what you wanted? And now: Mother of God, wonderful and quick helper to all people! Help me, unworthy, for my sinful soul already wanted it!
Song 6
Seeing the sea of life disturbed by the storm of temptation, I ran to Your quiet pier, crying out to You: O Most Merciful One, raise my life from corruption! I lived my life on earth as a prodigal, and betrayed my soul into darkness, but now, merciful Master, I beg You: free me from this slavery of the enemy and give me reason to do Your will! Who does something like me? For just as a pig lies in the mud, so I serve sin. But You, Lord, tear me out of this vileness and give me such a heart as to fulfill Your commandments! Slava: Unhappy man! Remember your sins, rise up to God, falling to the Creator, shedding tears and groaning! He is merciful and will give you reason to know His will! And now: Virgin Mary! Save me, O Most Pure One, from visible and invisible evil and take my petitions and pass them on to Your Son, may He give me the understanding to do His will!
Kontakion
My soul! Why are you rich in sins, Why are you fulfilling the devil’s will, where do you place your hope? Stop and turn to God weeping, crying: merciful Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!
Ikos
Imagine, my soul, the bitter hour of death and the terrible judgment of your Creator and God, when you, soul, will be caught by formidable forces and led into the eternal fire! Therefore, before you die, correct yourself, crying out: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!
Song 7
The angel watered the oven for the holy youths, but scorched the Chaldeans with the command of God, forcing the tormentor to cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers! Do not rely, my soul, on bodily wealth and on collecting earthly goods, because you do not know to whom you will leave it all, but rather cry out: Christ God, have mercy on me, unworthy! Do not trust, my soul, in bodily health and fleeting beauty, because you see that both the strong and the young are dying, but rather cry out: Christ God, have mercy on me, unworthy! Glory: Remember, my soul, eternal life and the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for the saints, and outer darkness and the wrath of God for the evil, and cry: Christ God, have mercy on me, unworthy! And now: Come, my soul, to the Mother of God, and ask her, and She, the quick helper of those who turn, will ask the Son, Christ God, and He will have mercy on me, unworthy!
Song 8
He poured out moisture from the fire to the saints and burned the sacrifice of the righteous with water. You, Christ, do whatever you want! We praise You at all times. How can I help but cry when I imagine death, For I saw my brother lying in the coffin, inglorious and ugly? What do I expect and what do I hope for? Lord, give me only repentance before the end! (Twice). Glory: I believe that You will come to judge the living and the dead! Then everyone will stand in their rank: old and young, rulers and princes, virgins and priests, but where will I end up? Therefore I cry: Lord, give me repentance before the end! And now: Most Pure Mother of God! Accept my unworthy request, and save me from arrogant death, and give me repentance before the end!
Song 9
It is impossible for people to see God, whom even the ranks of angels do not dare to look at! Through You, O All-Pure One, the incarnate Word appeared to people, magnifying Which, we with the heavenly powers please You. Now I turn to you, angels, archangels and all the heavenly powers standing at the Throne of God! Ask your Creator to save my soul from eternal torment! Now I cry before you, holy forefathers, kings and prophets, apostles and saints and all the chosen ones of Christ! Help me at the trial, so that He can save my soul from the enemy’s power! Glory: Now I lift up my hands to you, holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, righteous people and all the saints, asking the Lord for the whole world to have mercy on me at the hour of my death. And now: Mother of God! Help me, who rely greatly on You, ask Your Son, so that when He sits to judge the living and the dead, He will place me, unworthy, at His right hand! Amen.
Changes
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Another important thing is that a person must have a desire to improve. But man himself is not able to do this; for this, the Body and Blood of Christ is served to believers during the liturgy, as a saving medicine for soul and body. Change is the goal of all spiritual life; without it, the constant mechanical repetition of prayers will have no value.
First, the desire to live according to the commandments comes to a person’s mind—his thoughts begin to strive for the Creator, and not for satisfying his own needs. Then the heart gradually softens, it feels the pain of others more acutely, and becomes more sensitive. The soul begins to open slightly to God's grace. Namely, it gives strength to stay on the righteous path.
Reading again the repentant canon to the Lord Jesus Christ, a person will experience different feelings, be cleansed with tears of repentance, and will be ready for radical changes. Many managed to give up bad habits - for example, smoking, craving for alcohol. The fruit of repentance must necessarily be deeds, otherwise it is a simple listing of sins, which is displeasing to God.
Why do people repent?
Why does a person need to repent at all? To become closer to God. What for? So that the eternal soul after death unites with Him and remains in paradise, enjoying communication with the Lord. Earthly life is needed in order to prepare for this. This is why Christians need prayers, services, and sacraments. The feelings of spiritual joy after cleansing the conscience and receiving communion are a pale shadow of the glory that the Holy Trinity actually has.
According to Orthodox teaching, after death there is no opportunity to repent, that is, to bring one’s life into conformity with the requirements of the Creator. But the ability to repent is retained, that is, the soul is very sorry for those unrighteous deeds that it did during life. She also feels horror that earthly life has passed, and nothing can be changed.
Many then go to extremes and begin to hate God. This determines the location of such souls. After all, they themselves would feel bad among those who loved the Lord with all their souls. Therefore, we must cultivate in ourselves the ability to perceive grace already here - after the transition to another world it will be too late.
