_Then, we read the following Verses of Instruction:_
When you intend, O man, to eat the Master's Body,
Approach with fear, lest you be burned--for It is fire!
Before drinking the Divine Blood in Communion,
Make peace with those who have grieved you.
Only then may you dare
To eat the Mystical Food.
_We also add the following verses:_
Before partaking of the Dread Sacrifice,
The life-giving Body of the Master,
Pray, trembling, in this manner:
1st Prayer, of Saint Basil the Great.
O Lord and Master, Jesus Christ our God, the Fountain of life and
immortality, the Creator of everything visible and invisible, the eternal
and everlasting Son of the eternal Father: Thou hast come in these latter
days because of the abundance of Thy goodness. Thou hast put on our human
flesh and wast crucified and buried for us thankless and graceless men,
and through Thine own blood Thou hast renewed our human nature which is
corrupted by sin. And now, O Immortal King, accept the repentance of me a
sinner, and incline Thine ear to me and listen to my words:
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned before heaven and before Thy face,
and I am not worthy to look upon the height of Thy Glory.
I have provoked Thy goodness, I have transgressed Thy commandments, I
have not obeyed Thy statutes.
But, O Lord, since Thou dost not remember evil, but art long-suffering
and of great mercy, Thou hast not given me over to destruction for my
lawlessness, but hast ever awaited my conversion.
O Lover of mankind, Thou hast said by Thy prophets: "I have no pleasure
in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and
live."
For Thou dost not wish, O Master, that the work of Thy hands should
perish, neither dost Thou take pleasure in the destruction of men, but
Thou desirest that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of
the truth.
Therefore, although I am unworthy both of heaven and of earth and of this
passing life, having wholly yielded myself to sin and defiled Thine
image, yet being Thy creature and of Thy making, I do not despair of my
salvation in my wickedness. But made bold by Thine infinite compassion, I
draw near.
Receive me, O Christ Who lovest mankind, as Thou didst receive the
prostitute, the thief, the tax-collector and the prodigal. Take away the
heavy burden of my sins, for Thou takest away the sins of the world, Thou
healest the infirmities of mankind, Thou callest to Thyself and givest
rest to those who labor and are heavy laden.
Thou hast not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Cleanse me from every stain of flesh and spirit. Teach me to fulfill
holiness in fear of Thee, that having the testimony of my own conscience
clean, and having communion of Thy holy things, I may be united with Thy
Body and Blood and may have Thee to dwell and abide in me, with the
Father and Thy Holy Spirit.
O Lord Jesus Christ my God, may the communion of Thy most pure and
life-creating mysteries not bring me into judgment, nor may I become weak
in soul and body by partaking in an unworthy manner, but grant me to
receive communion of Thy holy things without condemnation even to my very
last breath, and by them to receive communion of the Holy Spirit,
provision for the journey of eternal life, and an acceptable answer at
Thy dread judgment seat; that I, together with all Thy chosen ones, may
also be a partaker of the incorruptible blessings which Thou hast
prepared for those who love thee, O Lord, in whom Thou art glorified
forever. Amen.