Liturgical
Prayer Before Holy Communion
I believe, O Lord, and I confess, that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. I believe also that this is truly Thine own immaculate Body, and that this is truly Thine own precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray Thee: have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, of knowledge and of ignorance. And make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thine immaculate Mysteries, unto remission of my sins and unto life everlasting. Amen.
About This Prayer
This prayer is part of the Prayers Before Holy Communion read by Orthodox Christians in preparation for receiving the Eucharist. It is a confession of faith in Christ's real presence in the Eucharist and a cry for mercy before approaching the chalice.
Related Prayers
Explore the Teaching
Read More About This Prayer
Doors of Repentance: Preparing for Pascha Through PurificationThe Triodion hymns sung before Great Lent reveal a profound Orthodox theology of purification. Discover why the Church calls us to cleanse soul and body before approaching the Holy Pascha.COVID, Division & the Orthodox Church: Healing the Spiritual WoundsThe COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep fractures in Orthodox Christian communities. Learn how the Church's living Tradition, episcopal authority, and patristic wisdom can guide us toward genuine healing and unity.The Power of the Jesus Prayer in Daily Orthodox LifeThe Jesus Prayer is a foundational practice in Orthodox Christianity, emphasizing humility and the need for God's mercy. Originating with the Desert Fathers, it serves as a continuous reminder of God's presence. Simple yet profound, this prayer enriches daily life, encouraging mindfulness and spiritual growth. Through its repetition, believers cultivate a deeper connection with the Divine, making it a key element in nurturing one's faith and humility.
Explore this topic cluster
Prayer & Spiritual Life
Daily rhythms, the Jesus Prayer, and the inner life of Orthodox ascetic tradition.
Pillar page
Orthodox Prayers & DevotionsRelated in this cluster
- TheosisTopicTheosis (deification) is the Orthodox Christian understanding of salvation - the process by which a human person participates in the divine nature and is united with God. St. Athanasius expressed it: 'God became man so that man might become god.'
- Jesus PrayerTopicThe Jesus Prayer is a short, ancient prayer central to Orthodox spirituality: 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' It is rooted in the hesychast tradition and practiced as a means of unceasing prayer in the spirit of 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
- MonasticismTopicOrthodox monasticism is the way of life in which men and women leave the world to devote themselves entirely to God through prayer, fasting, and ascetic struggle. Monastics are considered the vanguard of the Church, interceding for the whole world.
- Why Orthodox Christians Fast: The Deep Theology Behind AbstinenceArticleFasting is one of the oldest disciplines in Orthodox Christianity - but why do we do it? Discover the patristic, scriptural, and spiritual reasons fasting transforms the soul and draws us into union with God.
- Do Not Put God on a Timetable: The Book of Judith's LessonArticleThe Book of Judith delivers a stunning rebuke to anyone who secretly gives God a deadline. Discover what Orthodox Christianity teaches about faith, patience, and trusting God's timing - even in crisis.
- The Power of the Jesus Prayer in Daily Orthodox LifeArticleThe Jesus Prayer is a foundational practice in Orthodox Christianity, emphasizing humility and the need for God's mercy. Originating with the Desert Fathers, it serves as a continuous reminder of God's presence. Simple yet profound, this prayer enriches daily life, encouraging mindfulness and spiritual growth. Through its repetition, believers cultivate a deeper connection with the Divine, making it a key element in nurturing one's faith and humility.
Supporting pillars