Preparation for the Holy Mystery of Repentance

A Canon of Repentance

Composed by St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

O Lord my God, save Thou the soul of Thy servant that hath been washed in Thy Blood, and open unto him the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this know we that we dwell in Him, and He is in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit (John 1:18; I John 4:12-13).

The heart is deep beyond all things, and it is man, and who can know him? (Jeremiah 17:9).

From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities (Psalms 129:5-6).

O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. (3 times with prostrations)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

If a priest is present, instead of "Through the prayers ...," he begins with "Blessed is our God always ...."

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things, and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

The Trisagion Prayers

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (3 times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Amen.

Then the following troparia, in tone 6:

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for at a loss for any defense, this prayer do we sinners offer unto Thee as Master: have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Lord, have mercy on us; for we have hoped in Thee, be not angry with us greatly, neither remember our iniquities; but look upon us now as Thou art compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies, for Thou art our God, and we, Thy people; all are the works of Thy hands, and we call upon Thy name.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The door of compassion open unto us, O blessed Theotokos, for, hoping in thee, let us not perish; through thee may we be delivered from adversities, for thou art the salvation of the Christian race.

Lord, have mercy. (12 times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O come, let us worship God our King.

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

The Canon of Repentance

Tone 6

Ode 1

(Usually the irmosi are not read.)

Irmos: When Israel walked on foot in the deep as on dry land, on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned, they cried: Let us sing to God a song of victory.

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

When I think of the evil things I have done, I, a wretched one, I tremble at the fearful day of judgment; but trusting in the mercy of Thy loving-kindness, like David do I cry unto Thee: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.

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

The doors of repentance do Thou open to me, O Giver of life, for my spirit waketh at dawn toward Thy holy temple, bearing a temple of the body all defiled. But in Thy compassion, cleanse it by the loving-kindness of Thy mercy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Lord Almighty, I know how much tears can accomplish: they led Hezekiah forth from the gates of death, delivered the sinful woman from long-standing iniquities, and justified the publican beyond the pharisee; and, numbered with them, I pray: Have mercy on me.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Guide me in the paths of salvation, O Theotokos, for I have defiled my soul with shameful sins, and have wasted my life in slothfulness, but by thine intercessions deliver me from all uncleanness.

Ode 3

Irmos: There is none holy as Thou, O Lord my God, Who hast exalted the horn of Thy faithful, O Good One, and hast established us upon the rock of Thy confession.

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

Like the prodigal son do I also approach Thee, O Compassionate One, having squandered all my life; in departing I have wasted the riches that Thou didst bestow upon me, O Father. Accept me that repent, O God, and have mercy on me.

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

Stretching forth Thy fatherly arms, receive me now, O Lord, as Thou didst receive the prodigal, O Compassionate One, that I may thankfully glorify Thee.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Glory to Thee Who hast not thus far destroyed me! Glory to Thee Who art patient with mine iniquities! Accept me who turn away from Thee, O compassionate Father, Only-begotten Son, Holy Spirit, my Creator and Lord, and have mercy on me.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Having shown forth all of Thy beneficence upon me, O God, through the divine entreaties of Thy Mother disregard the multitude of my transgressions, in that Thou art my Benefactor.

Ode 4

Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, doth the august Church sing in godly fashion, and she doth cry out with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.

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

Woe is me! What shall become of me? What shall I do? Committing sin--fool that I am!--I have not feared the Master; wherefore, even before the judgment I am condemned. O good and just Judge, turning unto me, save me who have angered Thee more than all men.

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

I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned before Thee. Cleanse Thou me! For there is none among men that sin whom I have not surpassed in iniquity.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Lover of man, Who desirest that all be saved, raise me up and receive me who repent, for Thou art good.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, O Lord, Whom all fear, trembling before the countenance of Thy might, before Thee do I fall prostrate, O Immortal One; Thee do I implore, O Holy One: Save Thou my soul, through the intercessions of Thy saints and of the Theotokos.

Ode 5

Irmos: With Thy divine light, O Good One, illumine the souls of them that rise early to pray to Thee with love, I pray, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, as the true God, Who recalleth us from the darkness of sin.

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

Cast into the deep abyss of pleasures, I call upon the depths of Thy compassion, O [Divine] Helmsman: Save me!

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

Wellspring of compassion, do Thou now grant me compunction and sighing, that I may lament the boundless sea of my evil deeds.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The span of my life is short and full of pain and evil; yet accept me in repentance, and call me to my senses. That I may be neither the spoils nor the sustenance of him that is alien [to our race], O Savior, do Thou Thyself take pity on me.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thou art our weapon and a wall of defense, O Virgin Theotokos; thou art a help unto them that call upon thee. And now in prayer do I move thee, that I may be delivered from mine enemies.

Ode 6

Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, I run to Thy calm haven and cry unto Thee: Raise up my life from corruption, O Greatly-merciful One.

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

Taking pity, save me, O Son of God. Have mercy, Thou Who didst heal the possessed by a word. Speak unto me with the voice of compassion, as Thou didst to the thief: "Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise, when I come into My Kingdom.”

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

Ask not of me worthy fruits of repentance, for my strength hath failed within me. Grant me a contrite heart and poverty of spirit, that I may offer these to Thee as an acceptable sacrifice, O Thou Who alone art our Savior.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Lover of man, I have not the boldness to lift mine eyes and gaze unto the measureless heights, having sinned against heaven; nor can I call myself Thy prodigal son; yet take pity on me freely, O Thou Who hast boundless mercy.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Virgin Mary, at the hour of judgment do thou entreat the Judge Whom thou didst bear, that He have compassion, O Pure One, and save the condemned, O thou who alone art intercessor for man.

Ode 7

Irmos: An angel made the furnace sprinkle dew on the righteous youths. But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.

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

I dare not lift mine eyes to heaven, wretch that I am, because of mine evil deeds; but like the publican, sighing I cry out to Thee: Cleanse me, a sinner, and deliver me from the hypocrisy of the pharisee, O God of our Fathers, Who alone art compassionate.

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

Thieves have fallen upon my soul and left it wounded by my transgressions, barely alive; but heal me, O God of our Fathers.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Perceiving the barrenness of my much-suffering soul, yet do Thou forbear, O Christ, and cut me not down like the cursed fig tree, O God of our Fathers.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O All-pure One, grant me aid by thine intercessions, repelling the attacks of grievous misfortunes.

Ode 8

Irmos: From the flame Thou didst sprinkle dew upon the Saints, and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man which was sprinkled with water. For Thou alone, O Christ, dost do all as Thou willest. Thee do we exalt unto all ages.

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

Having rolled away the stone of obstinacy from my heart, O Lord, raise up my soul which hath been slain by the passions, O Good One, and vouchsafe unto me in compunction to bring Thee palms, as to the Vanquisher of hell, O Master, that I may obtain eternal life, O Thou Who alone lovest man, hymning Thy dominion and compassion unto all the ages.

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

I have enriched myself with unseemly thoughts, wretch that I am. I have defiled my soul with wicked pleasures, and the darkness of despair. Shed upon me the radiance of repentance, O my God, that I may thankfully glorify Thee unto all the ages.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Wasting away with the disease of sin, I am laid low upon the bed of despair. Wherefore, do Thou visit me in Thy love for man, O Physician of the sick, and leave me not to sleep grievously unto death, O All-compassionate One, that I may cry out to Thee, O Bestower of mercy: O Lord, glory to Thee!

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O most holy Mother of God, Rampart of Christians, deliver thy servant who am wont to cry earnestly unto thee; oppose thou my vile and prideful thoughts, that I may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Ever-virgin!

Ode 9

Irmos: It is not possible for men to see God, on Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O all-pure one, appeared to men the Word incarnate, Whom magnifying, with the heavenly hosts, we call thee blessed.

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

To Thee do I flee, O Jesus, Son of God, Who didst assume the guise of a servant for my sake, wretch that I am; have mercy on me through the intercession of Thy Bodiless Hosts.

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

Before Thee do I fall prostrate, O my Deliverer; through the entreaties of Thy Forerunner and of all Thy Prophets and Forebears, have mercy on me.

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

To Thee do I sigh, O Lover of man, Thou only Refuge and Hope of sinners, Savior of all; through the prayers of Thy Disciples who preached Thee, the Savior, to us, have mercy on me.

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

I stretch forth my hands to Thee Who suffered for sinners, O Son of God; through the supplications of Thy Martyrs, who shed their blood for Thy sake, have mercy on me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

I am not worthy to lift up mine eyes and gaze upon the heights of heaven because of the multitude of my transgressions, bound with many iron chains, so that I may not raise my head. Yet, O compassionate Lord, show forth upon me all Thy goodness, save me who am unworthy, and have mercy on me through the intercessions of Thy Saints.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

In Thy goodness, being well-pleased to be born of the most pure Virgin and to abide upon earth with men, O Word of God, do Thou have mercy upon me through her intercession and that of all the Saints who have ever been pleasing unto Thee.

We then proceed to examine our lives thoroughly so that we may expose all our sins and weaknesses to the healing power of God. We begin with this extract from the Short Edifying Sermons of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, whose canon we have just read. St. Tikhon is one of the great spiritual writers of the Russian Church in the eighteenth century. [The prayers of preparation for the Mystery of Repentance continue on page 56.]