Categories: hymns, parish-life, feast-days
Date: 05 April 2007 02:47:57
Holy Thursday began with a Divine Liturgy this morning, commemorating the institution of the Eucharist The Epistle (1 Cor 11:23-32) and Gospel (Matt 26:2-20; John 13:3-17; Matt 26:21-39; Luke 22:43-45; Matt 26:40-27:2) readings had the Eucharist as their theme (there also also three OT readings, from Exodus, Job and Isaiah), and the beautiful prayer:
Accept me today, O Son of God, as a communicant in Your mystical supper; for I will not speak of the mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give you the kiss of Judas; but like the thief I will acknowledge you and say: Remember me, O Lord, in Your kingdom.which forms part of the corporate pre-Communion prayers in the Divine Liturgy, is used as a replacement for: the Cherubic Hymn; the Clergy Communion Hymn (usually taken from the Psalms); and the hymn post-Communion. Beautiful.
Thanks and praise be to God for the great benefits and blessings of the Sacrament of the Eucharist.