All Saints Greek Orthodox Church of Toronto

Prayers and Readings

Table of Contents:

Child's Bedtime Prayer
Child's Mealtime Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
Communion Prayer
Sermon of St. John Chrysostom

Child's Bedtime Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep

In my little bed I lie
Heavenly Father hear my cry

May angels watch me through the night
And wake me with the morning light

Amen

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Child's Mealtime Prayer

Thank you God for the world so sweet.
Thank you God for the food we eat.

Thank you God for the birds that sing.
Thank you God for everything.

Amen

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The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory
of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Amen

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Communion Prayer
(Recited silently by those who will receive Holy Communion)

I believe and confess, Lord that you are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood.

Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and for life eternal. Amen

How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your Saints? If I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by Angels. In Your love, Lord, cleanse my soul and save me.

Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these Holy Gifts be my condemnation because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body and the pledge of the future life and Kingdom. It is good for me to cling to God and place in Him the hope of my salvation.

Receive me today, Son of God, as partaker of Your Mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your Mystery to your adversaries. Nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to You: Lord, remember me in Your Kingdom.

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Sermon of St. John Chrysostom
Archbishop of Constantinople

(The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated every year to commemorate the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The service begins in the late evening of Holy Saturday and ends in the early hours of Easter Sunday. This beautiful sermon, which is read at the conclusion of the service, serves as a perfect reminder for us throughout the year of God's strength and love.)

Whosoever is a devout lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful bright Festival. And, whosoever is a grateful servant, let him rejoice and enter into the joy of his Lord.

And if any be weary with fasting, let him now receive his penny. If any have toiled from the first hour, let him receive his due reward. If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast. And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any have delayed to the ninth hour, let him not hesitate, but let him come too. And he that hath arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay; for the Lord is gracious and receiveth the last even as the first. Yea, to this one, he giveth and upon that one, he bestoweth. The deed he honoureth and the intention he commendeth.

Let all then enter into the joy of our Lord. Ye first and last receiving alike your reward; ye rich and poor, rejoice together. Ye sober and ye slothful, celebrate the day. Ye that have kept the fast, and ye that have not, rejoice today; for the Table is richly laden. Fare ye royally on it. The calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake ye all of the cup of faith. Enjoy ye all the riches of his goodness. Let no one grieve at his poverty; for the universal Kingdom hath been revealed.

Let no one mourn that he hath fallen again and again; for forgiveness hath risen from the grave. Let no one fear death; for the Death of our Saviour hath set us free. He hath destroyed it by enduring it. He hath spoiled Hades when he descended thereto. He vexed it even as it tasted of his flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he cried, Thou, O Hades, hast been vexed by encountering Him below.

      It is vexed; for it is even done away with.
      It is vexed; for it is made a mockery.
      It is vexed; for it is destroyed.
      It is vexed; for it is annihilated.
      It is vexed; for it is now made captive.

It took a body, and lo! it discovered God. It took earth, and, behold! it encountered Heaven. It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see. O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory?

      Christ is risen, and thou art annihilated.
      Christ is risen, and the evil ones are cast down.
      Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice.
      Christ is risen, and life is liberated.
      Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of the dead;

for Christ, having risen from the dead, is become the firstfruits of those that have fallen asleep. To him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

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