office communion_sick.doc

When in Extreme Urgency Occasion Arises To Give Communion to a Sick Person

A Second Prayer (which could be said by the sick person):

Note: The translation used is primarily that of Fr. Lawrence of Jordanville, and Isabel Hapgood. Some prayers (with some modifications) are taken from the St. Tikhon Press Great Book of Needs, volume 1, pp. 149ff.

Theotokion: Through the prayers of all the Saints and of the Theotokos, O Lord, grant us Thy peace, and have mercy on us, as Thou alone art compassionate.

Having first heard the confession of the person who is sick, the Priest takes a portion of the Holy Mysteries, places it in a Chalice, and pours into it a little wine, as much as may be sufficient for the sick person to receive it. Since the Troparion of the Day is sung later, he should have that text handy. Then he begins:

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

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.

Reader: Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Thrice.

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.

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

Reader: 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.

Then he says:

Lord have mercy. Thrice.

Then this Prayer, said by the Priest:

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

A Third Prayer, said by the Priest:

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.

Then the priest gives communion to the person who is sick, and after communion, he says:

Lord have mercy. Twelve Times.

Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Thrice.

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

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.

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.

Reader: Amen.

Customarily, the Symbol of Faith and what follows is read by the Priest, although, if the sick person be able, he (she) ought to read what is appropriate.

Then the Troparion of the Day is sung.

The Symbol of Faith

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from the heavens, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And arose again on the third day according to the Scriptures; And ascended into the heavens, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father; And shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life; Who proceedeth from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the prophets. In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the age to come. Amen.

Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Thine enemies, nor will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas, but like the Thief do I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.

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

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.

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

We have recognized as God Him Who became incarnate of thee, O Virgin Theotokos. Him do thou entreat, that our souls be saved.

Lord have mercy. Forty Times.

O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, Our Savior, Who alone hast power to forgive sins, as the Good God Who lovest mankind, do Thou overlook all the iniquities, whether in knowledge or in ignorance, of Thy servant, N., and count him (her) worthy to partake, without condemnation, of Thy Most-pure Mysteries, not unto torment, nor unto the increase of sins, but unto the cleansing of soul and body, and as a pledge of Thy Kingdom. For Thou art his (her) help, and a firm wall, and a bulwark against the adversary, and the cleansing of his (her) iniquities. For Thou art a merciful God, and the Lover of Mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Lord, I know that I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof, into the house of my soul, for it is entirely desolate and fallen in ruins, and Thou hast not in me a fitting place on which to lay Thy head. But as Thou desirest to abide with me, trusting in Thy compassions, I come unto Thee. Command the doors of mine unworthy lips to open, that I may be satisfied with Thee alone. Enter into me, and cleanse me from every bodily and spiritual defilement; be my Helper and Defender, and count me worthy to stand at Thy right hand, through the prayers and supplications of our Most-pure Sovereign Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and of all the Saints who from the ages have been well-pleasing unto Thee. For blessed art Thou unto the ages. Amen.

May the Most-merciful Lord God have compassion on thee. May the Lord Jesus Christ grant thee every good petition. May the Lord Almighty deliver thee from every calamity. May the Lord teach thee. May the Lord give thee understanding. May the Lord help thee. May the Lord save thee. May the Lord protect thee. May the Lord keep thee. May the Lord cleanse thee. May the Lord fill thee with spiritual joy. May the Lord be the Defender of thy soul and body. May the Lord, as the merciful and good lover of mankind grant thee forgiveness of sins. May the Lord God, Jesus Christ, in the Day of Judgment have mercy upon thee, and bless thee all the days of thy life. For unto Him are due all glory, honor, and worship, together with His Father Who is without beginning, and His Lifegiving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

If the ailing one hath confessed beforehand, the Priest straightway giveth him (or her) communion of the Holy Mysteries. But if not, the Priest ordereth those present to withdraw a little way, and questioneth the sick one concerning various transgressions of all sorts, endeavoring to leave nought uncovered, lest what is confessed be all in vain. And after confession, the Priest saith this prayer:

O Lord our God, Who didst forgive the sins of Peter and the Harlot through their tears, and didst justify the Publican who acknowledged his own iniquities: Do Thou accept the confession of Thy servant, N., and, as Thou art good, overlook his (her) sins wherein he (she) has transgressed against Thee, whether voluntary or involuntary, or by word, by deed, or by thought, for Thou alone has the power to remit sins. For Thou art a merciful and compassionate God, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; a light of revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.

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. Thrice.

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.

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

Lord have mercy. Thrice.

Father, bless.

And the Daily Dismissal:

On Saturday evening and Sunday Morning:

May Christ our True God, Who arose from the dead, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-praised apostles, [of the saint(s) whose temple it is and whose day it is]; of the holy and righteous Ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of mankind.

On Sunday evening and Monday Morning:

May Christ our True God, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother, the mediations of the honorable heavenly bodiless hosts, the intercessions of the holy, glorious and all-praised apostles,

On Monday evening and Tuesday Morning:

May Christ our True God, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother, of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-praised apostles,

On Tuesday and Thursday evening and Wednesday and Friday Morning:

May Christ our True God, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother, through the power of the precious and life-creating Cross, the intercessions of the holy, glorious and all-praised apostles,

On Wednesday evening and Thursday Morning:

May Christ our True God, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-praised apostles; of our father among the saints, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia,

On Friday evening and Saturday Morning:

May Christ our True God, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-praised apostles; of the holy, glorious, and right victorious martyrs; of our holy and God-bearing fathers; [of the saint(s) whose temple it is and whose day it is]; of the holy and righteous Ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of mankind. Troparia of the Days of the Week

Tone 4: Supreme Commanders of the Heavenly Hosts, / we unworthy ones implore you that by your supplications / ye will encircle us with the shelter of the wings of your immaterial glory, / and guard us who fall down before you and fervently cry: // Deliver us from dangers since ye are the Marshals of the Hosts on high.

The memory of the righteous is celebrated with hymns of praise, /

Tone 2: but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; / for thou hast proved to be even more venerable than the prophets / since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. / Wherefore, having contested for the truth, / thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades; / that God hath appeared in the flesh, // taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.

On Wednesday:

Tone 1: O Lord, Save Thy people, / and bless Thine inheritance; / grant Thou victory unto Orthodox Christians / over their enemies; /and by the power of Thy Cross // do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.

On Thursday:

Tone 3: O holy Apostles, / intercede with the merciful God, // that He grant unto our souls forgiveness of offenses.

The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock /

Tone 4: as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness and a teacher of temperance; / therefore thou hast achieved the heights by humility, / riches by poverty. / O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, / intercede with Christ God // that our souls be saved.

Tone 1: O Lord, Save Thy people, / and bless Thine inheritance; / grant Thou victory unto Orthodox Christians / over their enemies; /and by the power of Thy Cross // do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.

On Saturday:

Tone 2: O Apostles, Martyrs, and Prophets, / Venerable and Righteous Ones; / ye that have accomplished a good labor and kept the Faith, / that have boldness before the Savior; // O Good Ones, intercede for us, we pray, that our souls be saved.

Tone 1: When the stone had been sealed by the Jews, / And the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate Body, / Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, / granting life unto the world. / Wherefore, the Hosts of the Heavens cried out to Thee, O Life-giver: / Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ. / Glory to Thy kingdom. // Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Lover of mankind.

Tone 2: When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, / then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. / And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, / all the Hosts of the heavens cried out: // O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Tone 3: Let the heavens be glad; let earthly things rejoice; / for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm. / He hath trampled down death by death; /

the first-born of the dead hath He become. /

From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us // and Hath granted to the world great mercy. Tone 4: Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the angel, / and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, /

the women disciples of the Lord spake to the apostles exultantly: /

Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, // granting to the world great mercy.

Tone 5: Let us, O faithful, praise and worship the Word / Who is co-unoriginate with the Father and the Spirit, / and Who was born of the Virgin for our salvation; / for He was pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh / and to endure death, // and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

Tone 6: Angelic hosts were above Thy tomb, / and they that guarded Thee became as dead. / And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate body. / Thou didst despoil hades and wast not tempted by it. / Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. // O Thou Who didst rise from the dead, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Tone 7: Thou didst destroy death by Thy Cross, / Thou didst open paradise to the thief. / Thou didst change the lamentation of the Myrrh-bearers, / and Thou didst command Thine Apostles to proclaim / that Thou didst arise, O Christ God, // and grantest to the world great mercy.

Tone 8: From on high didst Thou descend, O compassionate One; / to burial of three days hast Thou submitted / that Thou mightest free us from our passions. // O our Life and Resurrection, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Revised 3/12/2026

The translation used is primarily that of Fr. Lawrence of Jordanville

Some prayers (with some modifications) are taken from the St. Great Book of Needs, volume 1, pp. 149ff. Having first heard the confession of the person who is sick, t portion of the Holy Mysteries, places it in a Chalice, and pours into it a little wine, as much as may be sufficient for the sick person to receive it. of the Day is sung later, he should have that text handy. Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. 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