Prayer of Gregory the Illuminator

Prayer of Gregory the Illuminator — Gregory the Illuminator (attributed) Blessed is your boundless philanthropy, my Lord Jesus Christ. Why do you abandon me? If because of sins, you alone are without sin, and your name shows compassion and philanthropy. Have mercy on me, for you alone are the philanthropist. Revive me, who am fallen into sins, for you alone are without sin. Take me out of the mire of my lawlessness, that I may not sink eternally. Save me from my enemy, for behold, he roars like a lion, desiring to devour me. Now, my Lord, flash forth your lightning and destroy his power; let him be terrified and darkened before your face, for he is weak and has no power to stand before you, nor before those who love you. He sees the power of the sign of your Cross and is terrified, and, ashamed, he flees from those who pray to you. Now, Lord, sustain me and revive me, for I have taken refuge in you. Deliver my soul from distress, that the deceiver who fights against me with hidden wiles may not utterly destroy me. You who are Lord of thoughts and examine hearts and wills, cleanse my heart and my thoughts from foul and impure thoughts, that I may not utterly perish in eternal ruin. You who are almighty, have mercy on me, my God.

Grant the tears of repentance to my sinful soul, that I may wash away the multitude of my sins, that I may be saved from the hands of the merciless angels who cast the wicked into the fire of Gehenna. Would that I might weep continually, beseeching you, O God, that I not be found unworthy at the hour when you shall come. Let me not hear the terrible sound, "Begone, worker of iniquity, for I know not whence you are." Most high God, who alone is without sin, grant to me, a sinner, on that day your abundant mercy; that my hidden wickednesses may not be revealed before the beholding angels and archangels, prophets, apostles, and righteous saints. Save me, the wicked one, by the grace of your mercy; receive me into the paradise of delight among the perfect righteous; receive the prayers of your repentant servant through the intercession of the saints who were pleasing to you, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who are blessed together with the Father and your Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.