Prayer of the Catechumens
Prayer of the Catechumens
(During the litany of the catechumens, the priest unfolds on the altar table the corporal [antimins], a cloth with a depiction of the burial of Christ.)
Priest: Pray unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Ye faithful, pray ye for the catechumens, that the Lord may have mercy upon them.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That He may teach them the word of truth;
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That He may reveal to them the Gospel of righteousness.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That He may unite them unto His Holy, Universal, and Apostolic Church;
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Save them, have mercy upon them, preserve them, and protect them, O God, by Thy grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
People: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest (in a low voice): O Lord, our God, Who dwellest on high and regardest the humble of heart; Who hast sent forth as the salvation of mankind Thine Only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ; look down upon Thy servants, the catechumens, who have bowed their heads before Thee; make them worthy in due season of the laver of regeneration. Unite them to thy Holy, Universal and Apostolic Church, and number them with Thy chosen flock.
Priest: That they also with us may glorify Thy most honorable and majestic Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
People: Lord, have mercy.