How to Benefit from the Holy Liturgy - Pope Kirillos Scientific Family

THE SEVEN LITANIES
Introduction of Litanies
Once the Body and Blood of Emmanuel our God are present
on the altar, the priest prays this wonderful supplication:
"Make us all worthy, O our Master, to partake of Your
Holies for the purification of our souls, bodies and spirits,
that we may become one body and one spirit and may find
a share and inheritance in all the saints who have pleased
You since the beginning."
The priest asks God to make him and the congregation
worthy of partaking of His holy sacraments for the
purification and salvation of their souls, bodies and spirits.
Here the priest completes what he requested in the prayer of
the Offertory saying, "To become the body and blood, an
enlightenment, remedy and salvation for our souls, bodies
and spirits."
And likewise, what was requested in the Prayer of the Veil :
"We ask and entreat to Your goodness O Lover of
mankind, do not let this mystery which You provided for
our salvation become a judgment for us or Your people,
but forgiveness of our sins and iniquities."
From this prayer we conclude that these sacraments which
are given for our salvation, forgiveness of sins and eternal
life, might become a condemnation and reason for weakness,
disease and death if anybody dared to partake of them
without repentance, confession and preparation. As the
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