The penitential canon in modern Russian. The Meaning and Understanding of the Penitential Canon to Jesus Christ

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The canon of prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Most Pure Theotokos Mother of the Lord at the separation of the soul from the body of every true believer Blessed be our God ... (if it is worldly: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us). Holy God, Holy Mighty,

Canon to Our Lord Jesus Christ Tone 2 Song 1 Irmos: Once, in the depths, Pharaoh's superior power destroyed the whole army, but the incarnate Word destroyed the harmful sin, - the glorified Lord; for He is gloriously glorified. Chorus: Sweetest Jesus, save

Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ Master Lord Jesus Christ, our God, according to Your inexpressible love of mankind, at the end of the ages, clothed in the flesh of the Ever-Virgin Mary! We praise Your saving providence for us, we, Your servants, Lord; we sing to you, for through you we

The Canon of Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ, read in common misfortunes, and in lack of rain, in famine and rebellion, and in resistance to the wind, and in the invasion of foreigners, and about every petition of Troparion, ch. 6 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us; for, finding no justification for itself, this

Akathist to Our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ Kontakion 1 Voivode and Lord defending me, conqueror of hell! Having got rid of eternal death, I dedicate songs of praise to You, I, Your creation and servant. You, as having unspeakable mercy, free me from all misfortunes,

Prayer of repentance (from the canon of the penitent to our Lord Jesus Christ) Lord Christ God, Who heals my passions with His passions and heals my ulcers with His ulcers, grant me, who have sinned much to You, tears of tenderness; passion my body from the smell

The canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ is part of the obligatory prayers before the sacrament of Holy Communion. For a person who is not strongly attached to the church and takes rare, and maybe even the first steps into the world of Orthodoxy and faith, going through all the necessary procedures before Communion may seem like an unbearable burden.

Tone 6

Canto 1

Irmos: As if Israel had walked on dry land, in the footsteps of the abyss, seeing the persecutor of Pharaoh being drowned, we sing a song of victory to God, crying out.

Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.

Now come, I, a sinner and burdened, to Thee, the Master and my God; I don’t dare to look at the sky, only I pray, saying: give me, Lord, the mind, let me weep bitterly for my deeds.

Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.

Oh, woe to me a sinner! More than all people, I am cursed, there is no repentance in me; give me, Lord, tears, let me cry bitterly for my deeds.

Glory: Crazy, damned man, in laziness ruin time; think about your life, and turn to the Lord God, and weep bitterly for your deeds.

And now: Most Pure Mother of God, look at me a sinner, and deliver me from the net of the devil, and guide me on the path of repentance, but I weep bitterly for my deeds.

Irmos: How Israel walked on dry land / in the abyss with their feet, / and, seeing the persecutor of the pharaoh drowning, / - “Let us sing a song of victory to God!” - called out.

Chorus: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me!

Now I, sinful and burdened, have come / to You, the Lord and my God; /
but I don’t dare to look at the sky, I only pray, saying: / “Give me, Lord, reason, / so that I mourn my deeds bitterly!”

Oh woe to me, a sinner! / More than all people, I am unfortunate: / there is no repentance in me. / Give me, Lord, tears, / so that I mourn my deeds bitterly!

Glory: Crazy, unhappy person, / you're wasting time in laziness! / Think about your life / and turn to the Lord God, / and weep bitterly about your deeds!

And now: Holy Mother of God! / Look at me, a sinner, / and deliver me from the net of the devil, / and direct me to the path of repentance, / so that I mourn my deeds bitterly!

Canto 3

Irmos: Nothing is holy, like You, O Lord my God, who lifted up the horn of Your faithful, O Blessed One, and established us on the rock of Your confession.

Whenever there will be thrones for a terrible judgment, then all people's deeds will be exposed; grief tamo will be sinful, sent to flour; and then they lead, my soul, repent of your evil deeds.

The righteous will rejoice, and the sinners will mourn, then no one will be able to help us, but our deeds will condemn us, and repent of your evil deeds before the end.

Glory: Alas for me, the great sinner, even 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 of your evil deeds.

And now: Behold, he calls out to the Lady, Thy Son, and instructs us in good, but I always run a sinner of good; but You, Merciful, have mercy on me, may I repent of my evil deeds.

Irmos: There is no saint / like You, O Lord my God, / exalting the dignity of those who are faithful to You, Good, / and establishing us on the rock / of Your confession.

When / thrones will be placed at the Last Judgment, / then the affairs of all people will be revealed; / grief there will be sinful, sent to flour! / And knowing this, my soul, / repent of your evil deeds!

The righteous will rejoice, / and the sinners will mourn: / then no one will be able to help us, / but our deeds will condemn us. / Therefore, before the end / repent of your evil deeds!

Glory: Alas for me, the sinner! / I, defiled by deeds and thoughts, / have not a drop of tears from hardness of heart! / Now rise from the earth, my soul, / and repent of your evil deeds!

And now: Behold, the Lady calls out, Your Son / and teaches us good things; / But I, a sinner, always run from good! / But You, Merciful, have mercy on me, / so that I repent of my evil deeds!

Sedalen, tone 6

I think of a terrible day and weep at my evil deeds: how do I answer the Immortal King, or with what boldness will I look at the Judge, prodigal az?

Merciful Father, Only Begotten Son and Holy Soul, have mercy on me.

I think of the terrible day and mourn my evil deeds. How will I give an answer to the Immortal King? Or how dare I, the prodigal, look at the Judge?

Merciful Father, Only Begotten Son and Holy Spirit, have mercy on me!

Glory now: Bogorodichen

Now bound by many captives of sins and containing fierce passions and troubles, I resort to You, my salvation, and cry out: help me, Virgin, Mother of God.

Now, bound by many bonds of sins and oppressed by fierce sufferings and troubles, I resort to You, my salvation, and cry out: “Help me, Virgin, Mother of God!”

Canto 4

Irmos: Christ is my strength, God and Lord, the honest Church sings divinely, crying out from the pure meaning, celebrating in the Lord.

The path is wide here 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 these, man, for the Kingdom for the sake of God.

Why do you offend the poor, keep the mercenary bribe, do not love your brother, persecute fornication and pride? Leave this, my soul, and repent for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

Glory: Oh, crazy man, how long will you coal, like a bee, collecting your wealth? Soon, more will perish, like dust and ashes: but more seek the Kingdom of God.

And now: Lady Mother of God, have mercy on me a sinner, and strengthen me in virtue, and keep me, so that impudent death does not steal me unprepared, and bring me, Virgin, to the Kingdom of God.

Irmos: “Christ is my strength, / God and Lord,” / the holy Church reverently sings, proclaiming, / from pure reason / triumphing in the Lord.

The way is wide here / and it is easy to do something pleasant, / but it will be bitter on the last day, / when the soul will be separated from the body! / Keep yourself from that, man, / for the sake of the Kingdom of God!

Why do you offend the poor, / you appropriate the salary of a worker, / you do not love your brother, / you strive for fornication and pride? / Leave all this, my soul, / and repent for the sake of the Kingdom of God!

Glory: O mad man! / How long will you bog down, like a bee, / collecting your wealth? / After all, it will soon perish, like dust and ashes; / but first seek the Kingdom of God.

And now: Lady Mother of God! Have mercy on me, a sinner, / and strengthen me in virtue, / and save me so that sudden death / does not kidnap me, unprepared, / and bring me, Virgin, to the Kingdom of God!

Canto 5

Irmos: With Thy light of God, Blessed, illumine those who morning Thee with love, I pray, lead Thee, the Word of God, the true God, calling from the darkness of sin.

Remember, cursed man, how lies, slander, robbery, infirmity, a fierce beast, for the sake of sins you are enslaved; my sinful soul, did you desire that?

My judges tremble, for they have committed guilt with all: look with your eyes, hear with your ears, speak with an evil tongue, commit hell to yourself; my sinful soul, did you desire this?

Glory: Thou didst receive the fornicator and the penitent thief, O Savior, but I alone were burdened with sinful laziness and enslaved by an evil deed, my sinful soul, did you desire this?

And now: Wonderful and quick helper of all people, Mother of God, help me unworthy, for my sinful soul desires that.

Irmos: With His divine light, Good, / souls striving for You from dawn / illumine with love, - I pray, - / to know You, the Word of God, the true God, / from the darkness of sins calling to Himself.

Remember, unfortunate person, / how much lies, slander, robbery, infirmities, / like fierce beasts, / you are enslaved by your sins! / My sinful soul, is that what you wanted?

The members of my body tremble, / for I have been guilty of all of them: / looking with my eyes, listening with my ears, speaking evil with my tongue, / I betrayed myself to hell! / My sinful soul, is this what you wanted?

Glory: The prodigal son and the penitent thief / You took to Yourself, Savior; / but only I am so burdened with sinful laziness / and enslaved to evil deeds! / My sinful soul, is this what you wanted?

And now: Wonderful and quick helper / to all people, Mother of God! / Help me, unworthy, / for my sinful soul desired it!

Canto 6

Irmos: The sea of ​​life, erected in vain to misfortune a storm, has flowed to Your quiet haven, crying out to You: raise my belly from aphids, O Many-merciful.

Life on earth is prodigally dead and the soul is in darkness, now I pray to Thee, Gracious Lord: free me from the work of sowing the enemy, and give me reason to do Thy will.

Who creates such, like az? As if a pig lies in feces, so I serve sin. But Thou, O Lord, pluck me from this vileness, and give my heart to do Thy commandments.

Glory: Arise, accursed man, to God, remembering your sins, falling to the Creator, tearing down and groaning; The same one, as if merciful, will give you the mind to know His will.

And now: Virgin Mother of God, save me from visible and invisible evil, Most Pure, and accept my prayers, and convey to your Son, let me do my will

Irmos: Seeing the Sea of ​​Life, / rising in waves of temptations, / I, having resorted to Your quiet harbor, cry out to You: / “Raise my life from death, O Merciful One!”

I lived my earthly life as a fornicator / and betrayed my soul into darkness; / now I beg you, merciful Master: / free me from this slavery to the enemy / and give me the mind to do your will!

Who does things like me? / For as a pig lies in the mud, / so do I serve sin. / But You, Lord, pull me out of that vileness / And give me a heart to fulfill Your commandments!

Glory: Arise to God, unfortunate person, / remembering your sins, / falling down to the Creator, shedding tears and groaning! / He, as merciful, / will give you the mind to know His will!

And now: Virgin Mary! From visible and invisible evil / save me, pure one, / and accept my petitions, / and convey them to Your Son, / may it give me the mind to do the will

Kontakion

My soul, why are you rich in sins, why do you do the will of the devil, in what do you put hope? Stop from these and turn to God with weeping, calling: Merciful Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.

My soul! Why are you rich in sins? / Why are you doing the will of the devil? / What do you hope for? / Stop doing this / and turn to God, crying crying: / “Merciful Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!”

Think, my soul, of the bitter hour of death and the terrible judgment of your Creator and God: the angels of storm will understand you, my soul, and will lead you into eternal fire: repent before death, crying out: Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.

Think, my soul, about the bitter hour of death / and about the Terrible Judgment of your Creator and God. / After all, then the terrible Angels will take you, soul, / and lead you into the eternal fire. / So repent before death, crying: / “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!”

Canto 7

Irmos: An angel made a fertile cave as a reverend youth, the Chaldeans, the scorching decree of God, exhorted the tormentor to cry out: blessed be Thou, God of our fathers.

Do not hope, my soul, for perishable wealth and for an unrighteous assembly; do not leave all this to someone, but cry out: have mercy on me, O Christ God, unworthy.

Do not trust, my soul, in bodily health and beauty that passes quickly, you see, as the strong and the young die; but cry: have mercy on me, O Christ God, unworthy.

Glory: Remember, my soul, eternal life, the Kingdom of Heaven, prepared for the saints, and pitch darkness and the wrath of God to the evil, and cry: have mercy on me, Christ God, unworthy.

And now: Fall down, my soul, to the Mother of God and pray to Thee, there is an ambulance to the penitent, she will implore the Son of Christ God, and have mercy on me unworthy.

Irmos: The dew-bearing furnace / Angel made for the pious youths, / and God's decree, scorching the Chaldeans, / convinced the tormentor to cry out: / “Blessed are You, God of our fathers!”

Do not rely, my soul, on perishable wealth / and on unrighteous acquisition; / after all, you don’t know to whom you will leave all this, / but cry out: “Have mercy on me, O Christ God, unworthy!”

Do not hope, my soul, for bodily health / and soon transient beauty; / after all, you see how the strong and young die, / but cry out: “Have mercy on me, O Christ God, unworthy!”

Glory: Remember, my soul, about eternal life / and about the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for the saints, / and about the outer darkness and the wrath of God - evil, / and cry out: “Have mercy on me, Christ God, unworthy!”

And now: Fall down, my soul, to the Mother of God / and pray to Her, / for She, the quick Helper of the penitent, / will implore the Son, Christ God, / and He will have mercy on me, unworthy.

Canto 8

Irmos: From the flames of the saints, you poured out dew and burnt the righteous sacrifice with water: do everything, Christ, only if you want. We exalt you forever.

Why can’t the imam weep when I think of death, when I see my brother lying in the tomb, inglorious and ugly? What is tea, and what do I hope for? Only give me, Lord, repentance before the end. (Twice)

Glory: I believe that you will come to judge the living and the dead, and all will become in their rank, old and young, lords and princes, virgins and priests; where will I turn az? For this reason I cry out: give me, Lord, repentance before the end.

And now: Most Pure Theotokos, accept my unworthy prayer and save me from impudent death, and grant me repentance before the end.

Eirmos: From the flame You poured out dew for the pious, / and burnt the sacrifice of the righteous with water: / for You do everything, Christ, with Your one desire. / We praise you for all ages.

How can I not cry when I think about death! / For I saw my brother lying in the tomb / inglorious and ugly. / What do I expect and what do I hope for? / Only give me, Lord, repentance before the end! (Twice)

Glory: I believe that You will come to judge the living and the dead, / and all will become according to their order: / old and young, lords and princes, virgins and priests. / But where will I be? / Therefore, I cry out: / “Give me, Lord, repentance before the end!”

And now: Most Pure Theotokos! / Accept my unworthy prayer, / and save me from sudden death / and grant me repentance before the end!

Canto 9

Irmos: It is impossible for a man to see God; By you, the All-Pure One, the Word Incarnate appeared as a man, His majestic, with heavenly howls we appease Thee.

Now I resort to you, Angels, Archangels and all heavenly powers, standing at the Throne of God, pray to your Creator, may he save my soul from eternal torment.

Now I am crying to you, holy patriarchs, tsar and prophets, apostles and saints and all the elect of Christ: help me in judgment, may he save my soul from the power of the enemy.

Glory: Now I will raise my hand to you, holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, righteous women and all the saints, praying to the Lord for the whole world, may he have mercy on me at the hour of my death.

And now: Mother of God, help me, who strongly hopes in You, beg Your Son to put me unworthy at the right hand

Yourself, when you sit down, judge the living and the dead, amen.

Irmos: It is impossible for people to see God, / Whom the regiments of Angels do not dare to look at; / but through You, the All-Pure One, the incarnate Word became visible to mortals. / Praising Him, / together with the heavenly hosts / We praise You.

Now I resort to you, / Angels, Archangels and all heavenly Powers, / standing at the throne of God: / pray to your Creator, / may He deliver 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 Judgment, / may the Lord save my soul from the power of the enemy!

Glory: Now I raise my hands to you, / holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, righteous / and all the saints, praying to the Lord for the whole world, / may He have mercy on me at the hour of my death!

And now: Mother of God, help me, / who strongly hopes in You, / implore Your Son, / may He put me, unworthy, on His right / when He sits down to judge the living and the dead!

Prayer

Master Christ God, Who heals my passions with His passions and heals my ulcers with His ulcers, grant me, who have sinned much with You, tears of tenderness; dilute my body from the smell of Your life-giving Body, and delight my soul with Your Honorable Blood from sorrow, drink me with it; raise my mind to Thee, drooping valley, and raise me from the abyss of perdition: as if I do not imam repentance, I do not imam tenderness, I do not imam comforting tears, raising children to their inheritance. Darkened by the mind in worldly passions, I cannot look to You in illness, I cannot warm myself with tears, even if I love You. But, Lord Jesus Christ, treasure of the good, grant me wholehearted repentance and an industrious heart to seek Thy, grant me Thy grace and renew in me the signs of Thy image. Leave you, don't leave me; come out to my exaction, lead me to Your pasture and count me among the sheep of Your chosen flock, raise me with them from the cereal of Your Divine Sacraments, by the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints.

Lord Christ God, Healed my passions with His sufferings and healed my wounds with His wounds! Grant me, who have sinned much before You, tears of tenderness. Grant my body to receive the fragrance of Your life-giving Body, and give my soul the sweetness of Your precious Blood instead of the bitterness that the enemy gave me to drink. Raise to Thee my mind, drooping to the ground, and raise me out of the perilous abyss. For there is no repentance in me, no compunction in me, no comforting tear in me, leading children to their inheritance.
I have darkened my mind in worldly passions, in illness I cannot look at You, I cannot warm myself with tears of love for You! But, Master Lord Jesus Christ, Treasury of blessings! Grant me complete repentance and a heart that labors with love in search of You, grant me Your grace and renew in me the features of Your image. I left you - don't leave me. Come out to look for me, bring me to Your pasture and introduce me to the sheep of Your chosen flock, bring me up with them from the bread of Your Divine Sacraments, through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints.

What is the meaning of the canon of repentance to the Lord

The preparatory procedure for Communion includes:

• abstinence in food;
• enhanced prayer, which includes the reading of three canons, including the Canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ;
• confession;
• presence at the full divine liturgy preceding communion: morning and evening.

The great sacrament of Communion is the acceptance of the flesh of Christ: body and blood

Agree, not so little. And it is right to admit that this is not an easy job, especially for a person who is not accustomed to long prayer readings and standing idle at the Divine Liturgy. But if we think about the price of our actions, what we will receive in return, the whole burden of this work dissipates in a minute. And we get not a little, or rather the maximum that a person can receive during his life on earth in his physical incarnation:

• reunion with God: presence next to Him and in Him;
• communion with eternal life while still on earth.

Reading the canon, we bring our repentance, ask for forgiveness and acceptance by God

And is this work commensurate with what God did for us, sacrificing himself for the atonement of human sins? The answer is obvious.

When and how to read the canon

You will find the canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ in any prayer book. Why is the canon of repentance to the Lord obligatory to read before confession and communion. The great sacrament of Communion is the acceptance of the flesh of Christ: body and blood.

But in order to be accepted, one must first be pure in soul. A pure soul is a soul without sins. First, we must be cleansed of our sinful activities that we commit daily. And the Canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ helps us to do this.

It must be understood that man is by nature sinful and initially deserves to be rejected by God. And we multiply this sinfulness every day with our deeds and words. We are rude, angry, swear, jealous, carry a load of resentment, etc. This list can be enumerated ad infinitum. One must get rid of these sins, at least try to do it. And the canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ certainly helps in this.

Reading it, we are imbued with the words of the text, which testify to the sinfulness of human nature. Reading the canon, we constantly cry out for the help of the Lord, for His mercy on us.

It's important to be sincere with yourself.

It is important not only to read the repentant canon to Jesus Christ, it is important to be imbued with his words, to understand and realize one's unworthiness. And our dignity does not come from our sins, which we commit with our deeds and actions. All this sinfulness separates us from God. Reading the canon, we bring our repentance, ask for forgiveness and acceptance by God, that is, we take a step towards meeting God.

When reading the canon, it is very important to speak sincerely with yourself. To recognize as wrong and sinful not only what we ourselves have defined as sin for ourselves: this or that action, but also to dig deeper into our souls. And to find something that we don’t always want to get out of our “closet”.

And living faith is a living sensation, a feeling of God

Only complete repentance: pure, sincere, from the heart, can lead not just us to faith, but to living faith. This is a very important point that you should pay attention to. After all, a living faith is very different from a mere reasonable faith.

Agree, many people believe in God, but not many have a real sense of living faith. And a living faith is a living feeling, a feeling of God. And only a truly repentant soul is capable of this.

The canon of repentance can and even, moreover, should be read not only before Communion. This prayer should definitely be addressed during illnesses, difficult life situations.

Any difficulty that a person encounters in worldly life can be corrected for the better if we make it a rule to constantly read the canon of the penitent. After all, all earthly troubles are from our sins, and only sincere repentance can fix everything.

Reading rule

Reading the penitential canon must be done in silence and solitude. Nothing should distract you. Think carefully about every word. The canon in Church Slavonic is difficult to understand for an ordinary person who is not connected with the church.

Therefore, use the version of the canon of repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ in Russian. Then you will better understand what you are reading, and this, in turn, will make you turn inward as much as possible and get the maximum result from reading. It is also good to listen to the canon in the audio recording.

Download Canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ

Every Orthodox Christian knows that the only way to save his soul from eternal death in hell is not only the eradication of sin in himself, but also frequent communion with God through prayer and Communion. Both the eradication of sin and the opportunity to worthily approach the sacrament of Communion is possible through repentance. In this, the main help for the believer is the penitential canon to the Lord. In the prayer book, it is published separately, and is also included in the preparatory rule for Communion (the acceptance of the Body and Blood of Christ).

In the Holy Scriptures, his epistle to the Corinthians, the holy apostle Paul warns Christians from improper acceptance of the Body and Blood of Christ, since the consequences can be very unpleasant: many diseases and even the death of a person (1st Epistle to the Corinthians of St. Apostle Paul, 11:29,30).

To prepare yourself for Holy Communion, you must follow certain rules. The number of prayers, in order to properly tune in, includes the canon of repentance. Together with the prayer rules (canons) to the Most Holy Theotokos and the Holy Guardian Angel, they form a three-canon. To facilitate this rule, these three spiritual works were brought together into a single one.

The history of the creation of the rule

For centuries communion preparation rule gradually changed depending on the conditions of life of Christians. In the 5th and 6th centuries, these canons were read during divine services. Undoubtedly, over time, the volume of following (the canon) increased and began to take too much time, which became beyond the power of believers. On this basis, the prayerful preparation for Holy Communion has not been read during divine services since the 11th century. A Christian, preparing to properly partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, must read all the prayers at home (in private), and with heartfelt attention, sincerely. This also applies to the canon of repentance to the Lord Christ Jesus.

Canon Reading Sequence

The word "canon" in translation into Russian means a generally accepted rule that has a clear structure, according to which it can be built. The canon, in its essence, is a spiritual hymnographic work of a poetic nature, which is dedicated to either the All-Holy Trinity, or one of the hypostases of God, the Most Holy Lady Theotokos, Angels, holy people, as well as any significant events, in honor of which the existing ones were formed today. Christian celebrations and celebrations.

Canon includes:

• irmoses;
• melody;
• troparia;
• saddle;
• kontakion;
• ikos;
• prayers.

The canon is subdivided into only nine songs.(however, in fact there are usually eight of them, since the second is skipped). Each song is preceded by an irmos.

The second song, which is omitted in ordinary modern canons, is sung during Great Lent and is usually associated with events in the life of the Lord and the Church that took place on the eve of the suffering of the Savior.

Irmos - this is the first, pre-set text that does not change. Irmos can be of a certain voice (voice), there are eight in total. Therefore, it is usually signed "irmos, voice such and such." Since the canon is, as mentioned, a hymnographic work, chant inserts are included in it. Voice marking is important mainly for the church choir, which knows the tunes of everyone.

The prayer has the following structure:

Let's see what exactly the canon is, what is said in each part of it. This is an ancient text and one must be careful when reading it.

What is said in songs and sedalene

First Canto contains evidence of repentance for the deed. This allows the reader to tune in to a repentant mood, to realize himself not as a pompous master of this life, full of pride and lack of love for his neighbor, but unworthy of God's mercy. Forgiveness is indicated in the troparia, so that the Lord would give the praying repentant feelings and tears for sins, so that he could mourn his atrocities. At the same time, the penitent dares to aspire to God in his spiritual misfortune. Also, this part of the canon calls not to spend time aimlessly in laziness, and also asks the Most Holy Theotokos for help.

Second song, as mentioned, is omitted, since it is included only in liturgical texts and only in the canons of special events.

In the third contains memories of the Last Judgment and hellish torments, the soul is called to repentance before the hour of death, in order to avoid eternal torment.

Sedalen concludes by reflecting on how difficult it will be to stand before the throne of God with such a restless heart.

Praise the creator

In the fourth song the Creator and the Holy Church gathered by him are praised. It speaks of worldly joys and pleasures, but the authors of the canon warn that a person should protect himself from these pleasures if he strives to be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. There is a call not to accumulate worldly goods and not to get hung up on their accumulation, because they are all finite and will turn to dust. But the glory of God and His Kingdom will never end.

In the fifth song the grace of God is invoked. A person realizes that with each of his senses and every member he constantly sins and asks his soul, is this what she wanted?

in the sixth contains a request to wrest your soul from a sinful position, so that atrocities stop, the soul resurrects, remembering its deeds, and with contrition bowed before the Creator in anticipation of transfiguration and sanctification.

In kontakion the soul of the one praying is called to an answer, for which it does what the devil desires, and is called to turn to God.

Ikos sets up repentance before the soul is sent to hell.

Appeal to the soul and all the saints

in the seventh a call sounds for a person so that he does not count on earthly riches, on the health of the body, beauty and strength. It is not given to anyone to know for sure to whom he is actually collecting his wealth, because the hour of death may come tomorrow. And it will not go to the one who spent his whole life on its accumulation. And these labors will not really help those who pray at the Judgment, because a person did not grow rich in God, but in vanity. In addition, health, strength and beauty eventually leave the human body.

in the eighth describes the petrification of the heart, which does not allow a person to repent, to experience the necessary feelings. It also mentions the fact that each person is equal before the Court of the Creator, and before Him there is no account of weight, neither spiritual dignity, nor title, nor age - nothing, only deeds, thoughts and deeds.

In the ninth song the one who prays calls for help the Most Holy Theotokos, all the saints of God and His angels, so that they pray for the salvation of his soul.

The canon ends with a prayer appeal to the Lord Christ Jesus.

In prayer, a person realizes his sinful actions, therefore he asks the Lord for forgiveness and healing for his wounds. Despite the fact that a person once refused God, he asks the Heavenly Father not to do the same, but, on the contrary, to enter his life and help, save him from the abyss of sin, so that he can bring the Creator a worthy fruit of repentance. Man yearns to renounce evil and become the heir of the Father's Kingdom.

Preparation for the Sacraments

Most often, the canon of repentance to the Lord recited before the Sacraments, sets the inner world on a wave of remorse. So that the sinner is able to comprehend his actions, settle down and receive the salvation of his soul for eternal life with God in His Kingdom. In the rule of preparation for Communion, the penitential canon is combined with three other canons: with a prayer service to the Most Holy Theotokos and the Guardian Angel. Only a few parts of it are included.

Approaching Holy Communion, one must adequately prepare and free one's soul from sins. This is achieved through repentance. The canon of repentance before confession helps to understand with what state it is appropriate to approach the Sacrament and makes it possible to correctly attune oneself already at home. It is important that the appeal to the penitential canon does not turn into a mechanical proofreading, but is true spiritual repentance.

We talked about this penitential prayer to the Lord God, from the point of view of preparing for the Sacrament of Penance (confession). But this is not all the possibilities of this small prayer. In modern spiritual practice, priests often resort to the advice to read this rule when a person is in various difficult conditions:

• in case of serious trouble;
• in diseases;
• in sorrows and sorrows;
• in the absence of children;
• with difficulties in personal and family life.

Most often, this rule is suggested to be read for health problems. If we take into account that all troubles and troubles happen to us because of our own sins, even seemingly unreasonable anger on the part of those around us, then bringing God one's disposition to repentance inclines the Lord to mercy.

In the practice of one fairly well-known modern priest, there are many real cases when reading the Penitential Canon for even half a year turned the life of the worshiper and his loved ones in the most favorable direction. Let's touch on the most significant of them.

The case was the following. A woman who was dying of cancer was brought to the priest for guidance and advice on how to live on. They led her by the arms into the holy temple of the Lord and led her to the priest. She told him that she was dying and that none of the doctors could help her. During the conversation, it turned out that at one time this woman had performed a lot of abortions in her youth, and this was not realized by her as a mortal sin of killing, moreover, her own children. Batiushka outlined to her the extent of what she had done and called everything by its proper name.

The woman asked what she should do, because the dead cannot be returned. The priest blessed her every day to read the Penitential Canon for her deeds, to try to dispose her soul to sincere repentance and change, to invite the priest more often for confession and communion if she herself is unable to come to the temple. This ended the conversation.

A year later, according to the story of the priest, at the time of the divine service, a fresh-looking middle-aged, but pretty smiling woman in a hat entered the temple where the fateful conversation took place. She looked for someone in the crowd. When she saw the priest, she joyfully approached him, took a blessing and began to give thanks. He did not immediately recognize in her the woman who, dying a year ago, was brought by the arms for, most likely, the last conversation.

It turned out that after arriving home, where the doctors discharged her to die, she began to fulfill the blessing exactly: read canon every day, tried to arouse repentance in herself, diligently confessed and took communion. Six months later, she no longer needed support from relatives, she began to get out to the temple herself, her appetite improved, and the cancer receded. During this year, both of her daughters met their love, corrected their affairs, and so many favorable events occurred in their destinies, which have not happened throughout their entire lives. The Lord gladly accepted the penitent and hurried to bestow both her and her loved ones with His rich mercies.

Repentance is called the second Baptism. And Baptism, as you know, washes away all sins from a person. If we are honest with ourselves and the Creator, then a sincere reading of the canon of repentance will cleanse a person’s soul from dirt and give it freedom to live in love, goodness and for the eternal Kingdom of God.

Theology and philosophy

9 min.

Canto 1

Like Israel, walking through the abyss as if on dry land, seeing the persecutor of Pharaoh drowned, we sing and proclaim to God a song of victory.
Chorus:
Now I, sinful and burdened, come to Thee, Lord and my God! I do not dare to look at the sky, but only 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 more unfortunate than all people, There is no repentance in me! Oh, give me tears, Lord, so that I bitterly mourn my deeds!

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!
Oh foolish, unfortunate man! You're 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.
Holy Mother of God! Turn your eyes on me, a sinner, and deliver me from the net of the devil. and put me on the path of repentance, so that I bitterly mourn my deeds!

Canto 3

In holiness there is none like Thee, O Lord my God, who lifted up the horn of Thy faithful, O Good One, and established us on the rock of Thy confession.
When the thrones of the Last Judgment are set up, then the deeds of all people will be revealed! There will be woe for sinners sent to torment! And knowing this, my soul, turn from your evil deeds!
The righteous will rejoice, but the sinners will weep! 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 sinner, defiled by deeds and thoughts: I don’t have a drop of tears from hardness of heart! Now rise from the earth, my soul, and turn from your evil deeds!
And now: Oh madam! Your Son calls to you and teaches us good things, but I, a sinner, always shy away from good! You, merciful one, have mercy on me, may I turn from my evil deeds!

Sedalen, tone 6

I reflect on the terrible day and mourn my evil deeds. How will I answer 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, and now: Theotokos:
Now, being bound by many fetters 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!, The worthy Church sings so magnificently, crying out from pure meaning and rejoicing in the Lord.
Here the path is wide and convenient for enjoyment, but how bitter it will be on the last day, when the soul will be separated from the body! Oh man, keep yourself from them, for the sake of the Kingdom of God!
Why do you offend the wretched, appropriate the salary of the worker, do not love your brother, show fornication and pride? So, my soul, leave it and correct yourself for the sake of the Kingdom of God!
Glory: Oh, foolish person! How long will you wallow, collecting your wealth like a bee? Soon it will perish, becoming dust and ashes, and you look more for the Kingdom of God!
And now: Lady Mother of God! Have mercy on me, a sinner, and strengthen and preserve me in virtue, so that impudent death does not steal me unprepared, and bring me, Virgin, to the Kingdom of God!

Canto 5

O Good One, illumine with Your Divine light the souls of those who come to You with love in the morning, so that You, the Word of God, may be known as the true God! So I pray, crying out from sinful darkness.
Remember, unfortunate person, how you are enslaved by your sins to lies, slander, robbery, infirmities, fierce beasts! My sinful soul, is that what you wanted?
My members tremble, for I have been guilty of all of them: looking with my eyes, listening with my ears, speaking evil with my tongue, committing myself to hell! My sinful soul, is this what you wanted?
Glory: Oh, Savior, You accepted the already repentant fornicator and robber, but I am still weighed down by 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!

Canto 6

Seeing the sea of ​​life disturbed by the storm of temptations, I ran to Your quiet haven, crying out to You: O Many-merciful One, raise my life from decay!
I lived my life on earth as a fornicator, and betrayed my soul into darkness, but now, merciful Master, I implore You: free me from this slavery of the enemy and give me reason to do Your will!
Who does things like me? For as a pig lies in the mud, so do I serve sin. But You, Lord, tear me out of this vileness and give me such a heart to fulfill Your commandments!
Glory: Poor man! Remember your sins, rise up to God, falling down to the Creator, shedding tears and groaning! He is merciful, He will give you the understanding to know His will!
And now: Virgin Mary! Save me, Most Pure, 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 do you fulfill the devil's will, in what do you place hope? Stop and turn to God with weeping, crying out: 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 formidable forces will catch you, soul, and lead you into eternal fire! Therefore, before death, correct yourself, crying out: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!

Canto 7

The angel watered the furnace for the holy youths, but scorched the Chaldeans by the command of God, forcing the tormentor to cry out: Blessed be the God of our fathers!
Do not hope, my soul, for bodily wealth and for collecting earthly goods, because you do not know to whom you will leave all this, but rather cry out: Christ God, have mercy on me, unworthy!
Do not rely, my soul, on 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 out: Christ God, have mercy on me, unworthy!
And now: Fall down, my soul, to the Mother of God, and ask her, and She, the ambulance of those who turn, will beg the Son, Christ God, and He will have mercy on me, unworthy!

Canto 8

The saints poured out moisture from the fire and burned the righteous sacrifice with water. You, Christ, do whatever you want! We praise you at all times.
How can I not 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, lords and princes, virgins and priests, but where will I be? Therefore, I cry out: Lord, give me repentance before the end!
And now: Most Pure Theotokos! Accept my unworthy petition, and save me from impudent death, and give me repentance before the end!

Canto 9

It is impossible for people to see God, whom even the orders 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 am turning to you, angels, archangels and all the heavenly powers standing at the Throne of God! Ask your Creator to deliver 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 in court so that He saves my soul from the enemy's power!
Glory: Now I raise my hands to you, holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, the righteous and all the saints, asking the Lord for the whole world, so that He has mercy on me at the hour of my death.
And now: Mother of God! Help me, who strongly hopes in You, beg Your Son, so that when He sits down to judge the living and the dead, He will put me, unworthy, on His right hand! Amen.

Prayer

Lord Christ God, Healed my passions with His sufferings and healed my wounds with His wounds! Grant me, who has sinned much before You, tears of tenderness. Let my body receive the fragrance of Your life-giving Body and delight my soul with Your precious Blood instead of the bitterness that the enemy has given me to drink. Raise my drooping mind to You and raise me out of the abyss of death. There is no repentance, no tenderness, no comforting tears in me, leading children to their inheritance! Darkened by reason in worldly passions, in illness I cannot look at You, I cannot warm myself with tears of love for You! But, Master Lord Jesus Christ, treasury of blessings! Grant me a complete correction of life and in search of You, a heart that labors with love, grant me Your grace and renew Your Image in me! I left You, but You do not leave me, go out to look for me, bring me to Your pasture and introduce me to the sheep of Your chosen flock, with them also nourish me with the bread of Your Divine Sacraments, the prayers of Your most pure Mother and all Your saints. Amen.