A tradition has developed in the Church of reading three (sometimes four) Canons the evening before receiving Holy Communion. Many monastic Rules of Prayer prescribe this reading daily. Many Canons have been composed over the years, and certain Canons are prescribed for specific days of the week. We have not attempted to publish a large selection of Canons in the limited space of what is, essentially, a “pocket” Prayer Book. We have provided three of the most commonly used Canons and printed them in the order in which they are traditionally read. This order can also serve as a model for combining other Canons. If these Canons are not read during Compline (p. 37), they are preceded by the Opening Prayers and Psalm 50 (pp. 37 to 41).
THE THREE CANONS
ODE 1 (Tone 6)
Irmos: Treading over the floor of the sea as over dry land, and seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drown, Israel cried out: Let us sing to God a song of victory!
Canon of Repentance
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Sinful and burdened, I now approach Thee, my Master and my God. I dare not look up towards heaven, but simply pray, saying: grant me, Lord, the sense to weep bitterly over my deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
O woe is me, a sinner! I am the most wretched of men! There is no repentance in me! Grant me tears, Lord, that I may weep bitterly over my deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
O senseless and wretched man, you are destroying your life in laziness! Think about your life and turn to the Lord God, weeping bitterly over your deeds.