Paschal Hymn by St. Ephrem the Syrian (ca 306-373)

Today is Good Friday. The day our Lord suffered for our sins and for our salvation. Let us meditate on this beautiful hymn by St. Ephrem the Syrian.

I fall in adoration at Thy feet, Lord!
I thank Thee, God of goodness;
God of holiness, I invoke Thee,
on my knees, in Thy sight.
For me, an unworthy sinner,
Thou hath willed to undergo the death of the cross,
setting me free from the bonds of evil.
What shall I offer in return for Thy generosity?
Glory to Thee, friend of men!
Glory to Thee, most merciful!
Glory to Thee, most patient!
Glory to Thee who forgive sin!
Glory to Thee who have come to save us!
Glory to Thee who have been made man in the womb of a Virgin!
Glory to Thee who have been bound!
Glory to Thee who have been scourged!
Glory to Thee who have been derided!
Glory to Thee who have been nailed to the cross!
Glory to Thee, laid in a sepulchre, but risen again!
Glory to Thee who have preached the Gospel to men and have been believed!
Glory to Thee who have ascended to heaven!
Glory to Thee, seated at the right hand of the Father and who will return with Him, in majesty, among the angels, to judge those who have disregarded Thy  Passion!
The powers of heaven will be shaken;
all the angels and archangels, the cherubim and seraphim
will appear in fear and trembling before Thy glory;
the foundations of the earth will quake
and all that has life will cry out before Thy majesty.
In that hour let Thy hand draw me beneath Thy wings,
and save me from the terrible fire, from the gnashing of teeth,
from the outer darkness and from despair without end.
That I may sing to Thy glory:
Glory to Him who through His merciful goodness has designed to redeem this sinner.

Eucharistic Prayers of Early Church Fathers

St. John Chrysostom (ca 349–407) 

Before receiving Holy Communion

O Lord, I believe and I profess that Thou art the true Christ, the Son of the living God that came to this world to save sinners, of which I am the first. Accept me as a participant in Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God.

I will not reveal Thy mystery to Thy enemies, nor will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas, but as the good thief, I recognize Thee.

Remember me O Lord when Thou come to Thy Kingdom. Remember, O Master, when Thou come to Thy Kingdom. Remember me, O Holy One, when Thou come to Thy Kingdom.

That my participation in Thy Holy Mysteries, O Lord, may not be my judgment and condemnation, but to heal my soul and my body.

O Lord, I also believe and profess that I am about to receive what is truly Thy Most Precious Body and vivifying Blood, of which I ask Thee to make me worthy to receive, for the remission of all my sins and eternal life. Amen.

O Lord, be merciful with me, a sinner.
O Lord, cleanse me from my sins and have mercy on me.
O Lord, forgive me, because I have sinned innumerable times.

 

After receiving Holy Communion

O Christ our God, Thou hath deemed me worthy to be a partaker of Thy most pure Body and most precious Blood.

I praise, bless, and adore Thee; I glorify Thee and extol Thy eternal salvation, now and forever. Amen.


Cyril of Alexandria (ca 376 - 444) 

 

Thanksgiving prayer to Theotokos

O most holy lady, Theotokos, light of my poor soul, my hope, my protection, my refuge, my comfort, and my joy! I thank thee for having enabled me to be a partaker of the most pure Body and most precious blood of thy Son.

Enlighten the eyes of my heart, O blessed one who carried the Source of Immortality.

O most tender and loving mother of the merciful God; have mercy on me and grant me a repentant and contrite heart with humility of mind. Keep my thoughts from wandering into all kinds of distractions, and make me worthy always, even to my last breath, to receive the most pure mysteries of Christ for the healing of my soul and body.

Give me tears of repentance and thanksgiving that I may sing of thee and praise thee all the days of my life, for thou art ever-blessed and praised. Amen.