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All answers of the priests Joseph (Korolev), Hieromonk Lazar (Antipenko), Hieromonk Roman (Kropotov), Hieromonk Photius (Mochalov), Hieromonk
Question (Larisa) March 14, 2013 Father Roman! I have one more question. Thank you in advance. Is it possible to read psalms in the workplace, while sitting or on public transport? If you have time, you don't want to waste it just like that. I would like to know more about the difference between the canon and the akathist, is it possible to read the canons to the saints in fasting? What spiritual difference is there between early and late liturgy?
Canon is a type of liturgical hymns, consisting of 9 songs. Akathist is also a hymn, but mainly of laudatory content. Unlike the canon, which, having replaced the kontakion with itself, has become an integral part of worship, the akathist is not so popular in liturgical practice. The Charter mentions only the Great Akathist, read on Saturday 5 weeks of Great Lent.
The early and late Liturgy have no spiritual difference. They exist only because of the convenience of the parishioners - some are more comfortable early, others later.
Question (Olga) March 14, 2013 Hello Father Roman! Is it possible to read akathists during Great Lent if I took the blessing for reading the akathist to the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy" and read it every Sunday at 20.30?
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk) Such questions are resolved by the confessor individually. Whom you have been blessed with is the one you need to ask. This is ethics. From the outside, I can say that with the blessing you can (at home).
Question (Photinia) March 14, 2013 Good afternoon, Father Roman! Sorry if something goes wrong. I would like to know what they read in the prayer book for strict fast before Easter? And today I call all day: Is there a reception at Father Vlasiy's now? Once again, I'm sorry if something goes wrong.
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk)
It's not entirely clear what it means - before Easter? If you ask what is read during Great Lent, then all the same - prayers from the prayer book (morning evening, everyday, etc.), canons, psalter, on Saturdays and Sundays you can have akathists. If it meant what to read before Communion on Easter, then everything is the same as on a normal day. On Bright Week, preparation for communion consists of Easter hours, the Easter canon and prayers for holy communion.
Reception is underway.
Be healthy.
Question (Larissa) March 13, 2013 Hello Father Roman! Is it allowed to read the canons of prayer on the days of Lent? Can a layman read the canon of prayer to the Holy Trinity? I read the instructions of Seraphim of Sarov, in which he says that a person cannot dare to address the Holy Trinity directly, only through the saints. Did I understand correctly? I also ask you to look at the link http://azbyka.ru/bogosluzhenie/kanonnik/kanon.shtml Can I read the canons given here? Thank you very much.
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk)
Prayer canons can be replaced with penitential ones.
I have not heard the instruction of Seraphim of Sarov. But the fact that the prayer to the Most Holy Trinity is included in the initial prayers suggests that everyone can turn to the Holy Trinity (Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us, Lord, cleanse our sins, Master ...). Yes, and Christ commanded us to turn to God, saying, and if you ask anything from the Father in my name, then I will do so that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13). Perhaps it was meant that it is better for a sinner (as one who has no boldness) to plead with God through His saints (friends), whom the Lord listens to and whose requests he fulfills?
Question (Julia) March 13, 2013 Hello and bless, Father Roman! Something lately the prayer has cooled down completely, if at first there was some kind of emotion, impulses, she could pray on duty, now, during prayer, a feeling of fatigue, thoughts scatter (even though at the beginning I start to ask - collect my scattered mind, Lord. ..). Will such a prayer be accepted by God if there is no cordiality, no affection, no repentance, but there is just a desire to pray, or even if I do it through force?
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk) Prayer has been answered many times. It's hard for me to look for them for you. Prayer will not be constant all the time. Sometimes (often, especially at first) the Lord will allow us to cool down in order to test our aspiration and intention to pray. At such moments, you need to force yourself to prayer. At least a little, but pray. This kind of prayer is also accepted. There is no need to be embarrassed: collect thoughts, force yourself for attention and reproach for everything.
Question (elena) March 12, 2013 Hello Father Roman. I really like listening to conversations, sermons, interpretations of the holy fathers in audio recordings. I want to listen for hours. Can you do any homework during this time? What words should you use to address God when you want to do something in the name of God? How to dedicate your deeds to the Lord?
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk)
The advantage of audio recordings is that you can listen to them in parallel with other activities (in the car, in the kitchen, etc.).
You can use different prayers and even your own. There is, for example, this: "Lord, bless me to start this work, send your saint help, so that I may accomplish it for your glory" or "Heavenly King." By doing deeds "for the glory of God," we are already consecrating them to God. The ideal of this is when a person ascribes all his merits not to himself, but to God. Living according to the commandments, our life is dedicated to God, because through the commandments and virtues His name is glorified (sanctified).
Question (Elijah) March 10, 2013 Hello Father, please forgive me. Is there a prayer for consecration copy? We can't find it. Or is it necessary to use prayer for the sanctification of every thing to sanctify it? Save me, God!
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk) There is no separate copy of the rite of consecration. For its consecration, one must use the "Rite of Blessing the New Church Vessels" (Trebnik in two parts, p. 500). It also mentions a copy. This rite is performed by a priest, do not forget.
Question (Julia) March 9, 2013 Father, this is another question, it says "pray for those who offend you." Well, you also answered someone's question - "to pray for those who hate." Should this be understood in such a way that in case of any enmity it is necessary to pray for these people? When we pray for those who offend us, those who hate, who have evil, resentment against us, we thereby do this in order to extinguish the feeling of resentment or anger or enmity towards these people, or by praying for them, this anger, enmity, resentment is extinguished, and in their souls also in relation to us? And yet, how exactly is it more correct to pray for such people - is it only in home prayers (morning, evening rule), in your own words, or in notes in the church?
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk)
We must assume that in the event of any enmity, one should pray for people. First of all, we ourselves need this, so that our conscience is calm and our heart is peaceful, and so that we can calmly proceed with the communion of the Holy Mysteries.
But it is also necessary to ask for forgiveness for the sake of our ill-wishers, since the sincerity of our heart, our intention and self-condemnation affects the one who has enmity against us. In the Fatherland there is a story about two brothers. They were at enmity. One went to the other to ask him for forgiveness, but he did not even open the door for him. Then the first one went to the elder and told him about it. The elder answered him: "Look, if there is no reason for this in your heart, do you not recognize yourself as right, do you have an intention in your heart to accuse your brother, and to justify yourself? For this reason, God did not touch his heart, and he did not opened the door for you. Even though he was guilty before you, put in your heart that you are guilty before him and justify your brother. Then God will put in his heart the desire to be reconciled with you. " whose names have not come down to us. 140).
Therefore, you need to understand that our sincere desire for reconciliation with our neighbor and prayer for him will always respond in his heart with sympathy for us, since God will put the same desire for reconciliation in his heart.
Question (Galina) March 9, 2013 Hello, Father! I am in great grief - my son (18 years old) was detained for selling drugs. Now he is under recognizance not to leave. For a whole week I have been unable to find a place for myself, my soul was torn to pieces. He himself also repents of his sin. Can you please tell us who should we pray for help? He has many chronic diseases, he wanted him to receive a suspended sentence. Thanks.
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk) You can pray to St. Nicholas. True, he freed the innocent from imprisonment; I don’t know about those responsible. Pray to him or the Mother of God.
Question (Alexander) March 9, 2013 Hello Father. In many books, in the letters of the elders, it is written that a mother's prayer has great power. Explain, please, why the mother's prayer and does the father's prayer have such power? Thanks.
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk) There is no doubt that not only the mother's prayer, but also the father's prayer has great power. There is even an opinion that the father's prayer is more predominant than the mother, since he is the head of the family (patriarch). I think there is no point in arguing and looking for whose prayer is stronger. There is no such scale or instrument capable of determining the power of prayer. It is better for parents to simply pray for their children and bring them up in the fear of the Lord.
I want to increase my prayer rule, that is, in addition to morning and evening prayers, start reading the canons.
there are Orthodox here who read the Canons at home .......... what prayers should be read before the canons start?
I found the rules for reading the canons on the internet, but they are all different and I don’t even know which one to take for the rules.
Here are the options I found:
The rank of the private rule for reading the canons and akathists.
A. There is a certain rank for reading the canons:
1.the initial prayers are read first,
2.then psalm 142,
3.further God is the Lord and
4.Troparion to the saint to whom the canon is read,
5.to the troparion, according to his voice, the Theotokos is read,
6. followed by psalm 50 and
7.the canon itself,
8. It is worthy to eat with an earthly bow,
9.forth the trisagion,
10.kontakion of the canon and
11.theotokos by the voice of the kontakion,
12. Lord have mercy 40 times and
13.release.
When Glory is written, it should read: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
When “And now” is written, one should read: “Both now and forever and forever and ever. Amen."
B. Readings of the canons:
God, be merciful to the sinner. (Bow.)
God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. (Bow.)
Having created me, Lord, have mercy on me. (Bow.)
Without the number of those who have sinned, Lord, forgive me. (Bow.)
My mistress, the Most Holy Theotokos, save me a sinner. (Bow.)
Angel, my holy guardian, save me from all evil. (Bow.)
Holy apostle (or martyr, or Venerable Father, name) pray to God for me. (Bow.)
Same:
1. Through the prayers of the saints, our Father, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
2. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
3. Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of Truth ..........
4. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times.)
5. Glory, and now ...
6. Holy Trinity, have mercy on us: Lord, cleanse our sins ...
7. Lord, have mercy. (Three times.)
8. Glory, and now:
9. Come, let us worship our Tsar God. (Bow.)
Come, let us worship and fall down to Christ, our King God. (Bow.)
Come, let us worship and fall down on Christ Himself, the Tsar and our God. (Bow.)
10. Psalm 50
11. Creed
12. Read whatever you like or akathist
13. It is worthy to eat Yako truly ......... (Bow.)
14. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (It is recited three times, with the sign of the cross and bow in the waist.)
15. Glory, and now:
16. Our Father,
17. Tropari:
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us; every answer is bewildered, this Ti prayer Yako the Lord of sin we bring: have mercy on us.
Glory: Lord, have mercy on us, in You with hope; do not be angry with us, remember our iniquities below, but look after and now Yako is well-to-do, and deliver us from our enemies; Thou art our God, and we are Thy people, all works Thy hand, and we call on Thy Name.
And now: Open the doors of mercy to us, blessed Mother of God, hoping in Thee, let us not perish, but let us get rid of Thy troubles: Thou art the salvation of the Christian race.
18. Lord, have mercy. (12 times.)
19. And prayers for future sleep.
B. RULE OF READING OF MOBILE CANONS AND AKAFISTS
Reading the canons and akathists separately from the morning and evening prayer rules must be performed after asking for blessings, after the "seven-worship beginning":
Then:
1. Through the prayers of the saints, our Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
2. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (three times, with the sign of the cross and bows in the bow).
3. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
4. Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse our sins. Master, forgive our iniquity. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
5. Lord, have mercy (three times).
6. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
7. Our Father
8. Lord, have mercy (12 times).
9. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
10. Come, let us worship our Tsar God (bow).
Come, let us worship and fall down to Christ our Tsar God (bow).
Come, let us worship and fall down to Christ Himself, the Tsar and our God (bow)
11. Psalm 50.
12. Symbol of Faith
13. Then the canon and (or) akathist is read
14. Upon completion of the reading of the canon - prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ or the Mother of God, the saint - according to the meaning of the canon and akathist.
15. It is worthy to eat, as truly blessed Theotokos, the Most Blessed and Most Immaculate, and the Mother of Our God. The most honest Cherubim and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim, without corruption of God the Word who gave birth to the existing Mother of God, we magnify Thee.
16. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
17. Lord, have mercy (three times).
18. At the end, the same obeisances should be made as at the beginning.
God, have mercy on me, a sinner (bow).
God, cleanse me, a sinner and have mercy on me (bow).
Having created me, Lord, have mercy on me (bow).
Without the number of those who have sinned, Lord, forgive me (bow).
My mistress, the Most Holy Theotokos, save me a sinner (bow).
My holy guardian angel, save me from all evil (bow).
Holy apostle (or martyr, or venerable father, the name of the rivers), pray to God for me (bow).
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G. Chin of private reading of canons and akathists.
1. Before the beginning of any rule and at the end of it, the following obeisances are made (earthly or waist), which are called the seven-bowed beginnings.
God, have mercy on me, a sinner. (Bow)
God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. (Bow)
Having created me, Lord, have mercy on me. (Bow)
Without the number of those who have sinned, Lord, forgive me. (Bow)
My mistress, Most Holy Theotokos, save me a sinner. (Bow)
Guardian angel, save me from all evil. (Bow)
Holy apostle (or martyr, or reverend father, name) pray to God for me. (Bow)
2. Through the prayers of the saints, our Father, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us, amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
3. Heavenly King ........
4. Trisagion: Holy God, Holy Mighty ........ (Three times),
5. Glory, and now
6. Holy Trinity
7. Lord, have mercy (Three times),
8. Glory, and now
9. Our Father:
10. Lord, have mercy (12 times),
11. Glory and now:
12. Come, let us bow: (Three times),
13.psalm 50,
14. I believe
15. and honor the canons with akathists.
16. Therefore, it is worthy to eat ........ (Bow).
17. Trisagion and according to our Father:
18.Tropari: Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us
19. and prayers for future sleep.
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D. 1. “Through the prayers of the saints, our Father, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
2. Glory to you our God, glory to you.
3. Heavenly King
4. Holy God -3 times
5. Glory and Now
6. Holy Trinity
7. Lord have mercy 3 times
8. Glory and Now
9. Our Father
10. Lord have mercy 12 times
13. Glory and Now
14.Priide, let us bow -3 times
15 psalm -50
16. Apleluia, Alilluia, Hallelujah, Glory to you God
17.further the Canon itself or Akathist
18. at the end "It is worthy to eat .." and the end as in the morning and evening prayers
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RULE FOR READING THE MOBILE CANONS
According to the usual beginning, the laity says: By the prayers of the saints, our father, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. A min.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (three times, bowing).
Lava to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and forever and ever. A min.
Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse our sins. Master, forgive our iniquity. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord have mercy (three times). With lava, and now.
Oh, ours, Thou art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in Heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And leave us our debts, as we also leave our debtors, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
A min.
Lord have mercy (12). With lava, and now.
P riidite, let us bow to our Tsar God (bow).
Come, let us worship and fall down to Christ our King God (bow).
Come, let us bow down and fall down to Christ Himself, the Tsar and our God (bow).
Psalm 142.
O Lord, hear my prayer, inspire my prayer in Thy truth, hear me in Thy righteousness and do not enter into judgment with Thy servant, for all living things will not be justified before You. As if the enemy chased my soul, humbled my belly to eat into the ground, planted me to eat in dark, like dead centuries. And despondency in me is my spirit, in me my heart is perturbed. I remember the days of old, who have learned in all Your works, have learned Your hand in Your creation. My hand has lifted up to You, my soul is like the land, waterless for You. Hear me soon, Lord, my spirit disappear. Turn not Thy face away from me, and I will become like those who descend into the pit. I hear Thy mercy do me in the morning, O Lord, as in Thy hopes. Tell me, O Lord, Thy way, I will go astonishingly, as if I would take my soul to Thee. Take me away from my enemies, O Lord, I have come to You. Teach me to do Thy will, as Thou art my God. Your Good Spirit will guide me to earth right. For Thy name, O Lord, live me, Thy righteousness bring my soul out of sorrow. And by Thy mercy, consume my enemies and destroy all my souls that are cold, as I am Thy servant.
With lava, and now. And lleluia, halleluia, halleluia, glory to Thee, God (three times, with bows).
Lord have mercy (12). With lava, and now.
God is the Lord and appear to us, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
And confess to the Lord, for it is good, for in the age of His mercy.
You used to be around me and resisted them in the name of the Lord.
I will not die, but I will live and we will tell the works of the Lord.
To amen, who did not respect those who were building, this was the head of the corner, from the Lord this was and is wondrous in our eyes (and we sing along to each verse: God is God :).
Also, troparion to the holiday, which you please petit, verbs twice, With lava, and now: the same pack.
If you eat a single saint, then the troparion to the saint twice. With lava, and now: Theotokos is resurrected, according to the voice of the troparion of the holy.
Psalm 50. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, cleanse my iniquity. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my iniquity, and I will take out my sin before me. Those who sinned against Thee, and deceitful before Thee, have done, as if you were justified in Your words and conquer, always judging Ty. Behold, in transgressions I am conceived, and in sins bore me my mother. Behold, you have loved the truth, you have revealed your unknown and secret wisdom to me. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed, wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. To my hearing dasi joy and gladness, the bones of the humble will rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and cleanse all my iniquity. Create a pure heart in me, O God, and renew the spirit of rights in my womb. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of Thy salvation, and confirm me with the Spirit of the Lord. I will teach the wicked in Thy way, and the wicked will turn to Thee. Deliver me from the blood, O God, the God of my salvation, my tongue will rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. As if you would have wanted the sacrifice, you would have given it, do not favor the burnt offering. Sacrifice to God the spirit is broken, the heart is broken and humble God will not despise. Bless, O Lord, with Thy good pleasure Zion, and may the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then favor the sacrifice of righteousness, the offering and the burnt offering, then they will lay calves on your altar.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. A min.
Therefore, you please the canon to him, a holiday or a saint.
Therefore, this is true and according to O ours: (prayers from Holy God: to O ours: and prayers And Jesus inclusive.)
Troparion to the holiday. With lava, and now, kontakion to him.
If there is a canon to a saint, then first the troparion to a saint. Glory, kontakion to him (look for the 6th song). And now, Theotokos is Sunday, according to the voice of the troparion.
Therefore, Lord have mercy (40). With lava, and now.
Attach a prayer to the saint, if any.
For this:
The Most Honorable Cherubim and the Most Glorious Seraphim without comparison, without the corruption of God the Word Who gave birth, the Existing Mother of God Thee we magnify.
With lava, and now. God have mercy (three times), God bless (with bows), and let go:
Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, prayers for the sake of Thy Most Pure Mother, and holy (the name of the rivers, and the canon was already sung), and for all for the sake of the saints, have mercy and save us, as Good and Humanitarian.A min.
And after dismissal, we pray for health and salvation, verbing three times:
Merciful Lord, save and have mercy on Thy servants (their names), [bow]
deliver them from all sorrow, anger and want, [bow]
from all illness, mental and physical, [bow]
forgive them every sin, voluntary and involuntary, [bow]
and create something useful for our souls. [bow]
Notes:
(and according to pre-Nikon practice, katavasiya is read after each songs)
After the 3rd song there may be sedal- troparia in honor of the saint, so named because earlier it was customary to sit when performing them and the patristic readings that followed them. The last sedan (like the last troparion in general) is usually dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos, and therefore is called Bogorodichen.
After the 6th song and katavasiya follows kontakion and sometimes icos.
After the 9th canto, either D is read: In the ladychitsa, accept the prayer of Thy servant and deliver us from all need and sorrow. Thou art the Mother of God our weapon and the wall. Thou art the Intercessor, and we resort to Thee, and now we call upon Thee to prayer, but save us from our enemies, we will magnify Thee all, the Most Immaculate Mother of Christ our God, South of the fall the Holy Spirit.
On great holidays it is read backer holiday.
After the canon, T is read again, and according to Our point: troparion and kontakion feast or saint, God have mercy 40 times (replacing the augmented litany read when the priest is serving), then maybe prayer saint, and then the usual ending with dismissal.
There is an ancient practice to pray after the release about health(for example, those about whom the prayer service was sung), reading three times with bows “ Merciful Lord, save and have mercy ..." ( in the text). Only 15 bows. When praying together, the elder reads the first part of the prayer and pronounces the names, and the rest read the rest in chorus (“Deliver them from all sorrow ...” and so on to the end.)
At the end of the prayer service, the same obeisances should be made as at the beginning.
If the prayer service is performed by several people, the leader reads this part of the dismissal as follows: "... holy Angels, our guardians, and all for the sake of the saints, have mercy and save us, as he is Good and Lover of Man."
In general, if subsequent readings (for example, sedal) are divided by Glory even now, then it is read there, and not after “Lord, have mercy”. According to the 6th canto, Glory is still read right after “Lord, have mercy,” since the kontakion and ikos are never separated by praise.
The sacrament and confession bring with them the purification of the soul of a person, the forgiveness of his sins. Sincerity, truthfulness, a desire to correct themselves make these Sacraments so simple and complex at the same time.
Simplicity lies in simple actions that most people can do. The difficulty lies in avoiding a formal approach, in realizing your sins, in the desire to receive forgiveness. This is a difficult inner work.
Prayer, the canon before Communion are called to set a person up for spiritual work. The ability to forgive, understand and accept your mistakes, shame for them, the desire to change is a difficult path, at the end of which Grace will descend on the soul. And you will no longer want to lie, be angry, angry, envious. The gradual cleansing of the soul will bring about a change in life. There will be inner peace, peace, a desire to understand and forgive other people.
What is Canon
Canon in translation from Greek means "norm, rule". Has 2 meanings.
First. The Canon is a set of rules for the Orthodox Church.
Second. The canon is a kind of poem, a hymn that is recited to the glory of a holiday or saint. It replaced the kontakion in the 8th century. Contains 9 songs.
The canons are large and small. Dedicated to prophets, saints, great martyrs. In addition, there is a canon before Communion, a canon for the sick, for the departed.
There is a book "Correct Canon". It was written for the monks of the Old Believer monasteries in 1908. It contains notes to help you read the canons correctly at home. The tips tell you in which canon which song to read, with which chorus and how many times to alternate, when to bow.
How the canon works
Canon consists of 9 songs. The very first verse of each song is called irmos. All of the following are referred to as troparia. Before each of them, a tune is read, corresponding to the canon. Depending on the gender of the reader, the endings should be changed (for example, sinful - sinful).
Each canon contains 4 to 7 troparia. The second canto is usually missing. It is only recited on certain holidays. At certain moments of reading, one should put down the earth, bow in the waist or do throwing. The latter means that you should cross and touch the floor with your right hand.
Depending on the day of the week, the presence or absence of a church holiday, the additions to the canon have their own notes. So, bows can be replaced by throwing. In the church calendar, you can find the Rite of Bows for each day.
Sacrament of the Sacrament
The Sacrament is communion with God, the most important Sacrament in the life of a Christian. This ritual can be performed once a year or more often. It is not the number of sacraments that are important here, but their sincerity.
There are several rules for lay people before partaking of the Sacrament.
- Observe the fast.
- Read prayers and canons before communion.
- Receive absolution in confession.
- Refrain from carnal relationships.
- Perform deeds of mercy.
The entire preparatory process takes 7 days. You should know that you should fast the same amount. If the state of health does not allow fasting for a week, then it can be limited to 3-5 days. In rare cases, fasting is allowed for a day.
The Canon before Communion is read every evening. After him - prayers. On the days of shrine, one should attend church services.
Who is not admitted to Communion
- Women during their period.
- Excommunicated from the Holy Mysteries.
- Those who did not go to confession.
- Spouses who had sex on the eve of Communion.
- Dead, insane, unconscious.
Children under 7 years old are allowed to commune without confession and fasting. In this case, a different, more simplified preparation is required. Parental behavior is reflected in children. The child reproduces the attitude to the church, prayers, bad and good behavior in himself. Therefore, each family individually finds an approach in preparing for the Sacrament.
Preparing for the Sacrament
Before the sacrament of Communion, it is necessary to undergo repentance. Confessing your sins, realizing them, receiving forgiveness is the first step towards cleansing your soul. Be sure to ask for forgiveness from relatives before confession, you know each other. Mentally remember everyone who was offended.
Before confession, you can read the canon of repentance. Prayer preparation will motivate a person to repentance. This is the ability to see, realize, admit your sins and imperfections. Repentance cleanses a person from sins and defilement. A person's sincere repentance for all his unseemly deeds is necessary. And then getting rid of these sins, not allowing them into your life, fighting them.
The canons before confession and Communion bring with them only a temporary cleansing of the soul. The rest of the work must be done by the person himself. Honesty in front of oneself, understanding of the slightest movements of the soul, awareness of mistakes, shame for them - this is the true essence of repentance.
The sacrament of confession
Confession is not a lengthy discourse about your sins. It does not lead to self-justification. This is a sincere repentance for your unworthy thoughts, feelings, actions. Therefore, confession is obligatory before Communion. She prepares the soul with prayers, awareness of sinfulness, the need for forgiveness.
You should not conceal your sins before a priest. Only the truth should be heard in confession. Then the pangs of conscience, repentance, shame will lead to full awareness and desire to fight with their sins, eradicate them.
Prayer preparation for confession will help to reconcile with loved ones and acquaintances. Will eradicate callousness, narcissism. A person will want to change, become kinder.
The path to God can be long. One confession, one Communion will not make an indifferent person immediately attentive and positive. Most likely, you will have to go through these Sacraments many times before you come to understand the essence of Orthodox rituals.
Canons before communion
The sacrament is a personal matter of a person, his relationship with the Lord. Therefore, to read or not read home prayers, canons - everyone decides for himself. First of all, there should be a cleansing of the soul from sinful thoughts. You should not allow yourself to display anger or aggression. Learn calmness, patience, understanding.
During prayer preparation for Communion, three canons can be read. They reflect the whole essence of the ceremony. This is the preparation of the body and soul to receive the Holy Mysteries. Therefore, one should purify the body by fasting. Soul - with prayers.
- The canon of repentance before communion with our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Prayer Canon for the Most Holy Theotokos.
- Canon to the Guardian Angel before communion.
The practice of reading the canons before Communion is optional. Therefore, you should consult with your confessor.
After the three canons before the sacrament have been voiced, the Follow-up to Holy Communion should be read. All this is read on the eve of the ceremony, after attending the evening service. Prayers for Holy Communion can be rescheduled for the morning. Read them just before the ritual.
Prayer rule before Communion
The number of prayers, canons, akathists has no clear limits. Different cities, churches, monasteries have their own rules. Therefore, you should turn to your confessor for guidance. It is compulsory to read the canon of repentance and the Succession to Communion.
The prayer rule is not a violent decision. Each person individually decides what to read at home and how many times to go to church services. However, the Christian should have a daily prayer rule. It can be changed in accordance with health, state of affairs, internal mood.
Before the sacrament, one should get rid of the temptation and read the canons and prayers every day. This should become a tradition, but not a formal template. Personal prayer preparation remains on a person's conscience. Nor should you overwork yourself with the countless repetition of the canons. They bring enlightenment to the soul when read sincerely, consciously. Monotonous repetition leads to a scholastic understanding of church rules.
The ability to delve into the essence of the Sacraments will allow you to consciously relate to your transformation. If a person understands that he needs to change in himself, what to work on, then repentance and Communion will not become an empty phrase and a standard ritual for him.
Seeking usefulness for the soul and body is what the prayer rule serves. The canons are easy to memorize. Therefore, they can be read on the way to the temple, standing in traffic jams. The main thing is that they come from the heart.
What time should the canons be read
There are no exact laws when canons and prayers should be read. At home, a person himself determines what time should be devoted to prayers, and what - to worldly affairs.
The canon before the sacrament, the text of it, creates a certain state of mind. Makes a person more focused, collected. The Canon concentrates on inner, spiritual work. The spoken words fill the heart with glee, and the mind with sorrow for all human imperfections.
It is best to read the canons and subsequent prayers before bedtime. This will allow you to tune your mind and soul to communicate with God. When all worldly affairs are completed, you should devote some time before bedtime to prayers, summing up the day. For some - to ask God's forgiveness, for others - to thank.
The penitential canon before the sacrament will allow you to comprehend your thoughts, feelings, deeds for the whole day. Only in conditions of concentration on the desire to purify, to join the Holy Mysteries, is it possible to receive the Highest Grace.
Combined canons before communion
The canons are allowed to be read one each evening. Such prayer preparation should be part of the ritual of every Christian. On the eve of Communion, before midnight, it is recommended to voice the necessary three canons. They can be read one after another. And you can combine.
The 3 canons are connected before the sacrament as follows:
- irmos 1 song of the penitential canon;
- the troparia of the penitential canon;
- troparia of 1 canon of the Mother of God, without irmos;
- the troparion of the canon to the Guardian Angel, without irmos.
You can read all subsequent songs, but in this case, you should omit the troparia before the canons of the Mother of God and the Guardian Angel and the stichera after the canon of the Mother of God. In the Orthodox prayer book, you can find more detailed information on how it is possible to combine the canons.
How to read the canons
During the retreat, it is necessary to say morning and evening prayers, canons. They create a peaceful mood. After reading the holy texts, negative emotions are pacified. A person is tuned in to communion with God.
The correct canons before the sacrament are read according to a certain pattern. It can be found in the Charter on reading the correct canons. Daily humility, reciting prayers prepares a Christian to receive the Sacrament, when in the form of wine and bread the Lord penetrates into the human body. It is necessary to prepare for the arrival of such a dear guest. Body and soul must be cleansed of sinful thoughts and earthly excesses.
The canons read before the participle are not a formal prescription. Therefore, they should be read in a certain emotional mood. Without anger and irritation, without extraneous thoughts and conversations. Only concentration, solitude and understanding of the text of the prayers and canons will make it possible to competently prepare for Communion.
Behavior before Communion
Before Communion, greed, envy should be pacified, excesses, bad habits should be abandoned. Forget evil thoughts, greed, anger, rage. Try to forgive those who have offended. Do not remember and do not keep negative manifestations in yourself. Ask for forgiveness from friends and relatives. Feel humility inside yourself, readiness to repentance.
Remain in seclusion more often. Focus on prayer, fellowship with the Lord. The sacrament heals the souls of people. Hot-tempered and irritable become kind and calm. The obstinate and indifferent become docile and attentive. Rude - polite. Lazy people are hardworking. People stop being offended, swearing. Apathy and depression disappear. The soul is filled with kindness and joy.
After communion, it is imperative to thank the Lord, the Mother of God, the Guardian Angel. Request to keep the gift of the Sacrament. This is done so that the peace of mind does not leave. After leaving the church, do not talk to anyone, go home immediately. Before going to bed, say thanksgiving prayers again. Try not to quarrel with anyone, not swear, be silent more, not watch TV.
The meaning of the canon
Canons before confession and Communion - this is a request to the Lord and the Mother of God to give them health and the opportunity to confess, to give strength to go to Communion and to cleanse their souls, so that the Guardian Angel will guard all the way to the church, not allow temptations.
It so happens that a person forgets about confession and Communion. Or he gets tired and refuses to participate in the Sacraments. The canon before the sacrament will help to tune the mind, soul and heart to communion with the Lord. It will give strength and health to go to confession, cleanse yourself from sins, and fight them. In no case should you justify yourself, give indulgences or blame other people for your problems. The experience and shame for your actions should be sincere.
The health of the soul will give strength to the physical body of a person. Anger and anger will pass. You will not want to swear and quarrel anymore. There will be a good mood and a desire to share it with people. Facts are known when, after confession and Communion, people got rid of fatal diseases and gave up their bad habits. Peace and tranquility appear in the soul after an honest and sincere appeal to God.
Orthodox literary works contain an inexhaustible source that allows one to communicate with God. The canon is considered one of the types of church verbal art.
The difference between the canon and the akathist
Prayer is an invisible thread between people and God; it is a spiritual conversation with the Almighty. It is important for our body like water, air, food. Whether it is gratitude, joy or sorrow through prayer, the Lord will hear us. When she comes from the heart, with pure thoughts, zeal, the Lord hears prayer and responds to our petitions.
The Canon and Akathist can be called one of the types of conversations with the Lord, the Most Holy Theotokos and the saints.
What is the canon in the church and how does it differ from the akathist?
The word "canon" has two meanings:
- Accepted by the Church and taken as the basis of the Orthodox teaching of the books of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, collected together. The word Greek, acquired from the Semitic languages and originally meant a stick or ruler for measurement, and then a figurative meaning appeared - "rule", "norm" or "list".
- The genre of the church hymn, chanting: a work that is not simple in structure, aimed at glorifying saints and church holidays. It is a part of morning, evening and all-night services.
The canon is divided into songs, each of which separately contains an irmos and a troparion. In Byzantium and modern Greece, the irmos and troparia of the canon are metrically similar, which allows the entire canon to be sung; during the Slavic translation, a single syllable in the metric was broken, so the troparia are read, and the irmos are singing.
Only the Easter canon is an exception to the rule - it is sung in its entirety.
Read about the canons:
The melody of the piece obeys one of eight voices. The canon appeared as a genre in the middle of the 7th century. The first canons were written by St. John Damascene and St. Andrew of Crete.
Akathist - translated from Greek means "non-sedating song", a liturgical chant of a special laudatory character, which is aimed at glorifying Christ, the Mother of God and the saints. It begins with the main kontakion and 24 following stanzas (12 ikos and 12 kontakions).
At the same time, the ikos end with the same refrain as the first kontakion, and all the rest - with the "Hallelujah" refrain.
Reading the canon
What unites canon and akathist
A certain rule serves to unite these two genres of chants. The construction of works is carried out according to a fixed scheme.
The canon includes nine songs that begin with irmos and end with katavasia. Usually there are 8 songs in it. The second is performed in the Penitential Canon of Andrew of Crete. The akathist consists of 25 stanzas, in which kontakion and ikos alternate.
The kontakions are not verbose, the ikos are extensive. They are built in pairs. The stanzas are read one time at a time. There is no song in front of them. The thirteenth kontakion is a prayer direct message to the saint himself and is read three times. Then the first ikos is read again, followed by the first kontakion.
The difference between canon and akathist
The holy fathers mainly practiced the compilation of the canons.
Akathist could come out of the pen of a simple layman. Having read such works, the higher clergy took them into account and set the stage for further recognition and dissemination in church practice.
Read about akathists:
After the third and sixth canons of the canon, a small litany is pronounced by the priest. Then the sedalena, ikos and kontakion are read or sung.
Important! According to the rules, simultaneous reading of several canons is possible. And the reading of several akathists at the same time is impossible, and the stanzas of these works are not shared by the intense prayer of all those present.
Canons are read at prayer services. Reading them is also blessed at home. Akathists do not include morning, evening, and all-night services in the cycle. They order akathists for prayer services, and also read at home. The canons are clearly defined by the charter of the church. The parishioner chooses the Akathist himself, and the priest reads him at the prayer service.
The canons are performed throughout the year.
It is inappropriate to read Akathists during Lent, because the solemn and joyful mood of the work cannot convey the quiet and calm mood of Lent days. Each canon song tells about some biblical event. There may not be a direct link, but the secondary presence of this or that topic is necessarily felt. The Akathist is considered easy to understand. Its vocabulary is easy to understand, the syntax is simple, and the text is separate. The words of the akathist come from the depths of the heart, his text is the best that an ordinary person wants to say to God.
Akathist is a song of thanksgiving, a song of praise, a kind of ode, so the best reading for him is when they want to thank the Lord or a saint for their help.
How to read the canon
During home reading of the canon, the traditional beginning and end of prayers is taken. And if these works are read together with the morning or evening rule, then no additional prayers need to be read.
Important: It is necessary to read so that the ears hear what is spoken by the mouth, so that the contents of the canon fall on the heart, with the feeling of the presence of the living God. Read with attention, focusing with the mind on what is being read and so that the heart listens to thoughts directed to the Lord.
The most readable canons at home are:
- Canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ.
- A canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos.
- Canon to the Guardian Angel.
These three Canons are read when preparing a person for the Sacrament of Communion. Sometimes these three canons are combined into one for simplicity and ease of perception.
Saint Andrew of Crete. Fresco of the Church of St. Nicholas. Athos monastery Stavronikita, 1546
All of us in life are weak and sick, or our relatives need our attention and help in recovery, then we read the Canon for the sick.
The greatest and most significant canon is the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. It is complete, contains all nine songs, and each includes up to thirty troparia. This is truly a colossal masterpiece.
The whole repentant meaning of the work is an appeal not only to God, but also to the one who is praying. A person is so immersed in his experiences while reading the canon that he directs his gaze inside his soul, speaks to himself, with his conscience, replays the events of his life and grieves over the mistakes he made.
The Cretan masterpiece is not just a call and call to repentance. This is an opportunity to return a person to God and receive His love.
To enhance this feeling, the author uses a popular technique. He takes as a basis the Holy Scriptures: examples of both great sins and great spiritual exploits. Shows that everything is in the hands of a person and according to his conscience: how can one fall to the very bottom, and ascend to the top; how sin can take a soul captive and how together with the Lord it can be overcome.
Andrei Cretsky also pays attention to symbols: at the same time they are poetic and accurate in relation to the issues raised.
The Great Canon is a song of songs of living, true repentance. The salvation of the soul is not a mechanical and memorized fulfillment of the commandments, not the habitual creation of good deeds, but a return to the Heavenly Father and the feeling of that very grace-filled love that was lost by our ancestors.
Important! In the first and last week of Great Lent, the Penitential Canon is read. In the first week, he instructs and directs to repentance, and in the last week of Great Lent, he asks about how the soul worked and left sin. Has repentance become an effective change in life, which entailed a change in behavior, thinking, attitude?
But the modern rhythm of life, especially in big cities, does not always allow a working person to attend charitable services with the singing of the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. Fortunately, finding this amazing text isn't hard.
At least once in a lifetime, it is desirable for everyone to read this creation thoughtfully, which can truly turn the consciousness of a person, make it possible to feel that the Lord is always near, that there is no distance between Him and a person. After all, love, faith, hope are not measured by any standards.
This is the grace that God gives us every minute.
Watch a video about the three Orthodox canons
