Orthodox Communion Prayer

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Several years ago someone gave me an Orthodox prayer book. I converted to Catholicism in 1996, but there is a prayer that I still use when I go to take communion:

“Behold, I draw near to the Divine Communion; burn me not as I partake, O Creator, for thou art a fire which burns the unworthy, but cleanse me of all defilement.”

I find it a powerful prayer that reminds of what I’m doing as I partake of the Eucharist. :bowdown:
 
i see no problem with it. it actually sounds like a very appropriate prayer.
 
There is a prayer in the 1962 Missal that looks a lot like the one you posted. So I’d say it is fine:D
 
It might be nice to reflect on the context of the Divine Liturgy, before and after reception of the Holy Mysteries. In the American Byzantine Catholic translation of the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom the wording goes something like this:

Priest - aloud:
Approach with fear of God, and with Faith!

Response - acclaimed aloud:
Amen, amen! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, for the Lord has revealed Himself to us!

And each as individuals say aloud simultaneously:
Receive me now, O Son of God, as a partaker of your mystical supper: for I will not betray your 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, in your kingdom - remember me O Master, in your kingdom - remember me O Holy One, in your kingdom…

May the partaking of Your mystical supper, O Son of God, be not for my judgement or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body

It is at this point those who wish to commune will approach the Sacred Mysteries. Singing hymns and quietly praying communion prayers such as the one in post #1

Priest - aloud over each recipient:
The servant of God (your name here) receives the precious and holy body and blood of Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of his(her) sins and for eternal life!

At the conclusion the priest holds aloft the chalice and blesses all the people by making a sign of the cross with it and saying:

+Save your people, O Lord, and bless your inheritance!

Response - aloud:
We have seen the True Light, we have received the Heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith, and we worship the undivided Trinity, the Trinity has saved us!

the priest returns to the altar, incenses the altar, then picks up the chalice, turning toward the people through the holy doors he says:

BLESSED BE OUR GOD ALWAYS, NOW AND EVER AND FOREVER

Response - acclaimed aloud:
Amen, May our lips be filled with your praise O Lord…

For You have deemed us worthy to partake of your Holy Divine immortal and life creating mysteries…

Keep us in your holiness so that all the day long we may live according to Your Truth!

ALLELUIA - ALLELUIA - ALLELUIA !
 
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Hesychios:
It might be nice to reflect on the context of the Divine Liturgy, before and after reception of the Holy Mysteries. In the American Byzantine Catholic translation of the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom the wording goes something like this:

Priest - aloud:
Approach with fear of God, and with Faith!

Response - acclaimed aloud:
Amen, amen! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, for the Lord has revealed Himself to us!

And each as individuals say aloud simultaneously:
Receive me now, O Son of God, as a partaker of your mystical supper: for I will not betray your 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, in your kingdom - remember me O Master, in your kingdom - remember me O Holy One, in your kingdom…

May the partaking of Your mystical supper, O Son of God, be not for my judgement or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body

It is at this point those who wish to commune will approach the Sacred Mysteries. Singing hymns and quietly praying communion prayers such as the one in post #1

Priest - aloud over each recipient:
The servant of God (your name here) receives the precious and holy body and blood of Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the remission of his(her) sins and for eternal life!

At the conclusion the priest holds aloft the chalice and blesses all the people by making a sign of the cross with it and saying:

+Save your people, O Lord, and bless your inheritance!

Response - aloud:
We have seen the True Light, we have received the Heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith, and we worship the undivided Trinity, the Trinity has saved us!

the priest returns to the altar, incenses the altar, then picks up the chalice, turning toward the people through the holy doors he says:

BLESSED BE OUR GOD ALWAYS, NOW AND EVER AND FOREVER

Response - acclaimed aloud:
Amen, May our lips be filled with your praise O Lord…

For You have deemed us worthy to partake of your Holy Divine immortal and life creating mysteries…

Keep us in your holiness so that all the day long we may live according to Your Truth!

ALLELUIA - ALLELUIA - ALLELUIA !
Very beautiful. The Novus Ordo can’t compare to it in beauty (or even to the Tridentine mass, for that matter- too bad there isn’t a TLM offered in my area).😦
 
Great, Hesychos! But I like to back up a bit and look at the previous paragraph, also. . . (Easterners are often wordy, but to good purpose)

I believe, Lord and I profess that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God, come to this world to save sinners, of whom I am the greatest. I believe also that this is really your spotless Body, and that this is really your precious Blood. Wherefore I pray to you: have mercy on me and pardon my offences, the deliberate and the indeliberate, those committed in word and in deed, whether knowingly or inadvertently; and cound me worthy to share without condemnation, your spotless mysteries, for the remission of sins and for eternal life. Amen.

Receive me … etc.
 
Yes, I love that prayer. Some times I can’t get to my Byzantine Catholice parish (1 hr. by public transportation), and have to attend a local Roman parish, and I say that prayer before receiving Communion.

one translation has the part “forgive me my sins for they are without number”, to “forgive me my sins for they are more numerous than the sands upon the shore”

BTW, the priest says this prayer along with the people. In the Divine Liturgy the priest says several times “Be merciful to me a sinner”.

Maybe if priests would say this often in the Roman rite there would be less scandals.
 
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