The solution to save Africa: Patriarchate /Interior prayer – The seven words from the cross - Part 6/

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First word from the cross: “Father, Abba, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
(The leader introduces the prayer by saying:) When you say “Aaa”, think of the hammer blow and Jesus’ painful cry: “Aaa – Father!”
When you say “baaa”, think of another hammer blow and Jesus’ plea: “Forgive them, for they do not know what they do!”
(The leader says:) Jesus’ right hand is being nailed to the cross.
(All are praying together:) Aaa - baaa... – Aaa - baaa... – Aaa - baaa... (3-4×)
(The leader says:) Jesus’ left hand is being nailed to the cross.
Aaa - baaa... – Aaa - baaa... – Aaa - baaa... (3-4×)
(The leader says:) Jesus’ left foot is being nailed to the cross.
Aaa - baaa... – Aaa - baaa... – Aaa - baaa... (3-4×)
(The leader says:) Jesus’ right foot is being nailed to the cross.
Aaa - baaa... – Aaa - baaa... – Aaa - baaa... (3-4×)
(Note: The one leading the prayer taps an object, such as a pencil, on the table before each “Aaa” and before each “baaa” to represent the hammer striking the nail in the hand or foot.)

Co-crucifixion with Christ
(The leader introduces the prayer saying:) God’s word says: “The old self (was) crucified with Christ.”
I imagine my right hand.
When I say: “The old self,” I become aware of the dark silhouette of the old self within me,
when I say: “with Christ,” I realize that this dark silhouette overlays Christ in me,
when I say: “crucified,” I perceive that the nail pierces the dark silhouette of both the old self and Christ within me.
(The leader says:) Crucified with Christ – right hand
“The old self... with Christ... on the cross... crucified.” – “The old self... with Christ... even in me... crucified.” – The old self... with Christ... even in me... crucified.”
Crucified with Christ – left hand
“The old self... with Christ... on the cross... crucified.” – “The old self... with Christ... even in me... crucified.” – The old self... with Christ... even in me... crucified.”
Crucified with Christ – left foot
“The old self... with Christ... on the cross... crucified.” – “The old self... with Christ... even in me... crucified.” – The old self... with Christ... even in me... crucified.”
Crucified with Christ – right foot
“The old self... with Christ... on the cross... crucified.” – “The old self... with Christ... even in me... crucified.” – The old self... with Christ... even in me... crucified.”
(The leader can illustrate the hammer blow by tapping, for example with a pencil, before saying “crucified”.)

Second word from the cross: “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” “Amen,... today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
(The leader introduces the prayer saying:) Do you not even fear God? Your sins have condemned you to eternal death in hell. Jesus, I confess that You are my Saviour. You shed Your blood for the forgiveness of my sins.
The praying part (2×)
(The leader says:) I confess: “I have sinned.” – “I have sinned.”
“I am suffering justly.” – “I am suffering justly.”
“Jesus, remember me in Your kingdom. – “Jesus, remember me in Your kingdom.”
(All are praying together:) “Ye-ho-shu-aa-aa-aa” – “Ye-ho-shu-aa-aa-aa”
(The leader says:) “Amen, I say to you, if you should die now, you will be with Me in Paradise.” – “... you will be with Me in Paradise.”
(Note: When saying the third “aa”, I raise my hands in front of me in supplication.)

Third word from the cross: “Behold your mother!”
(The leader introduces the prayer saying:) “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother. When Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple received her into his own (Gr. eis ta idia).”
The praying part (2×)
(The leader says:) I stand in spirit by the cross.
“Jesus, You see me.”
“Jesus, You now speak to me.”
“Behold your mother.” – “Behold your mother.”
“I receive her into my heart.” – “I receive her into my heart.”
(All are praying together:) “Ye-ho-shu-aa-aa-aa” – “Ye-ho-shu-aa-aa-aa” – “Ye-ho-shu-aa-aa-aa”

Fourth word from the cross: “I thirst!”
(The leader introduces the prayer saying:) Jesus, You suffer great pain on the cross, but You thirst to undergo the greatest suffering and death to complete our salvation. You thirst to free me from the devil’s seed, original sin.
(The leader says:) Jesus cries out from the cross:
“Aaa” – I perceive: “I thirst...”
“baaa” – “... to complete salvation.”
(All are praying together slowly:) “Aaa - baaa” – “Aaa - baaa” –“Aaa - baaa” (about 2 min.)
(The leader says:) What about me?
“Aaa” – “I groan for deliverance from bondage.”
“baaa” – “... from the bondage of the body of sin and death.”
(All are praying together:) “Aaa - baaa” – “Aaa - baaa” –“Aaa - baaa” (about 3 min.)

Fifth word from the cross: “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”
(The leader reads the reflection slowly; “Eloi, Eloi” is said by all together, with vowels greatly prolonged, and then they all add “lema sabachthani”)
“Jesus, You are crying out from the cross in the dark abyss of abandonment: ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’”
(a deep breath) “Eee-looo-iii, Eee-looo-iii, lema sabachthani?”
“Jesus, You also endure the most painful suffering – abandonment by God – in me and for me. It is the result of original sin, the seed of the devil in every human being.”
(a deep breath) “Eee-looo-iii, Eee-looo-iii!”
“Jesus, with loud cries and tears, enduring terrible torment of soul and spirit, You also deliver my soul from the torment of eternal death.”
(a deep breath) “Eee-looo-iii, Eee-looo-iii!”
“Jesus, You are crying out with a loud voice from the cross in the dark abyss of abandonment: ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’”
(a deep breath) “Eee-looo-iii, Eee-looo-iii, lema sabachthani?”

The sixth word is related to the seventh word, and Jesus spoke it as He was dying
Sixth word from the cross: “It is finished.”
(The leader introduces the prayer saying:) There has been a breakthrough. Through His death, Jesus has triumphantly broken through the spiritual darkness of separation. Salvation is complete! The pillar of light from the cross reaches the Father. Through His death, Jesus has also opened the way to union with the Father for me.
(The leader says:) I cry out: “Ye-ho-shu-aa-aa-aa”
When saying the first “aaa” – I perceive: The darkness is broken! It is finished in death!
When saying the second “aaa” – I am in Christ’s death through baptism.
When saying the third “aaa” – The pillar of light above me and within me!
(All are praying together:) “Ye-ho-shu-aa-aa-aa” (repeated 5 minutes)

Seventh word from the cross: “Father, Abba, into Your hands I commit My spirit!”
(The leader introduces the prayer saying:) The veil of the temple and the veil of original sin have been torn. The death of Jesus is a return to the arms of the Father. In the pillar of light, I realize the surrender of Jesus’ and my spirit to the Father. The spirit passes from time to eternity.
(The leader says:) Jesus cries out on the cross: “Aaa” – “It is finished in death!”
“baaa” – “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”
(All are praying together:) “Aaa - baaa” – “Aaa - baaa” – “Aaa - baaa” (approx. 4 to 6 times)
(The leader says:) I cry out: “Aaa” – “I am in Christ’s death through baptism.”
“baaa” – “Father, together with Jesus I commit my spirit into Your hands.”
(All are praying together:) “Aaa - baaa” – “Aaa - baaa” – “Aaa - baaa” (approx. 4 to 6 times)

This interior prayer is explained at length in the book “The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ” (original in Czech). If you pray this interior prayer for a whole month, you will gain spiritual experience.

+ Elijah
Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

+ Methodius OSBMr + Timothy OSBMr
Secretary Bishops

8 January 2025