Orthodox Church teaches us that God's grace is poured out on people in different ways.Sometimes it happens through the material and the very real objects, such as icons and church utensils.Sometimes - in the blessing of a priest.Sometimes the fertile energy of believers receive through communion bread and holy water, it is the faithful, because only by faith can be sent down by God's help.Therefore, unleavened bread and holy water are inseparable from prayer.
What prosphora
Those who have been in the church, I saw these small round bread, topped with a cross or other sacred symbols.They are produced in the candle shop and take home for themselves and their loved ones.Partaking of loaves of prayer precedes the adoption of holy bread and holy water.They came to us from the first centuries of Christianity.Translated from the Greek "unleavened bread" means "offering".Once the believers going to the common prayer service, they brought with them as a donation bread.Deacons took it and added the names of contributors on special lists.Then they ascended a special prayer.From these depths of history come and pray before taking communion bread.
Consecration water
to consecrate the water, performed a special rite.The priest three times down the cross into the water, accompanying their actions a special prayer.It is not a prayer before taking holy water and prayer and its lighting.As a result, the water becomes a carrier of the Divine energy.With the help of a doctor of her ailments and stripped evil force.In homes, sprinkled with holy water, improving the spiritual atmosphere.
Prayer to accept communion bread and holy water
According to tradition, the holy bread and holy water taken in the morning on an empty stomach.The reason lies not in the physiology of the body, because we are not talking about conventional medicine.The point here purely symbolic: the day begins with the shrine.Also, once in the stomach, sanctity carriers should not mix with normal diet.
However, the most important part of the morning ritual is a prayer to accept communion bread and holy water.But it should not be a formal, not a mechanical reading of the text, and turning to God with a sincere faith and love.Without this, all efforts are futile.Lord bestows grace to all people, but only a believer is able to perceive it.
Content prayers
prayer begins by asking the Almighty to educate the mind.This is understandable, because in the worldly life, and even more so in the spiritual need clarity and sobriety of thought.A man with a sleeping mind and far from the same material and of spiritual values.
Next to accept the prayer of holy bread and holy water includes a very important point, this plea bestow spiritual and physical strength.In religious terms between the two there is no conflict - and for normal life on earth, and to serve the Lord, and will require both.
Following the request of the strength of body and soul is sought for their health.Here health should be understood not only as the absence of ailments, but also as forgiveness of sins, according to the teachings of the Church because it was sent to us for the sins of the disease.May God protect us from them, but, wallowing in sin, we are turning away from His help.
Ends prayer request to remove from us the disastrous passion, and bodily and spiritual infirmities.The sending down if asked hoped prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mother of God and all the saints.
Prayer for happiness
Prayer to accept communion bread and holy water by a small amount of text, but an unusually profound content.Mind, spiritual and physical strength, health, and freedom from evil passions and weaknesses - that is necessary for human happiness.About all this talent and asked the Lord, reading the prayer.
Today prosphora prepared in small bakeries created at temples.They are called - prosforni.Very strict set rules for their baking and composition of incoming components.The matter is in charge and therefore charge it only pious people.Prosphora needed and the liturgy for the preparation of the holy wood, which are then used during the sacrament.