St. Basil the Great

MORAL RULES

Instruction to the priest who is to serve the Holy Liturgy [1]

Try to be an irreproachable worker, rightly ruling the word of truth. Never come to a church service if you are in enmity with someone, so that the Holy Spirit does not leave you on the day of the service. Do not sue or quarrel on that day, but while in church, pray and read until the time comes to perform the divine sacrament, and then approach the holy altar with a contrite and pure heart, moreover, do not look around, but stand before the heavenly King with trembling and fear. For the sake of pleasing people, do not hurry and do not shorten your prayers, do not pay attention to people, but turn your gaze to the King who is present here and to the heavenly forces standing around. Be a worthy executor of the holy rules. Do not serve with those who are forbidden to do so. See before Whom you stand, how you serve, and whom you commune. Do not forget the Lord's commandment and the commandment of the holy Apostles, which says: "Do not give the holy one to a dog, nor cast your pearls before swine" (Matt. 7:6). Beware of dogs, etc. (Phil. 3:2). Take heed that you do not fall, fearing man, and do not give the Son of God into the hands of the unworthy. In that hour, do not be afraid of earthly nobles, and even of him who wears a diadem. Those who are worthy of Divine Communion, communion freely, as freely they themselves received; but those to whom it is forbidden by the Divine canons, do not commune, for they are like pagans, and if they do not convert, woe to them and to those who commune them. See to it (not mine, but your business) that through your negligence a mouse or anything else does not touch the holy gifts, so that the gifts do not deteriorate, so that they do not turn black from the smoke, so that they do not touch the hands of the unclean and unworthy. If you always keep these and similar things in mind, you will be able to save yourself and those who listen.

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1 This instruction was composed by St. Basil in the year 375, and every priest received a copy of it immediately after his ordination.

Rule 1. On Repentance, on the Time of Repentance, on Its Properties and Fruits