Church life is filled with different rules and rituals. But there is one most important - this is the Sacrament of Communion. However, it is necessary to know exactly how to take communion in church. Otherwise, you can violate the strict church orders. It is believed that this offends God, one should not allow such a sin. Therefore, this issue should be taken seriously.
What is Communion
Before you take communion in church, you need to devote several days to preparation. This is the most important Sacrament of the seven that are in Orthodoxy. Catholics have similar sacraments. Protestant churches have different views on this issue.
During the Last Supper, Christ for the first time communed his disciples, we will offer them bread and wine. Until the moment of the Savior's death on the cross, people sacrificed animals as a prototype of the future trials of the Son of God. After He was resurrected, there was no need for other offerings. Therefore, now prayers are read over bread and wine. They also take Communion.
Why does the church demand that parishioners take communion and confess? How to do it right? It is a symbol of the unity of God with man. Christ Himself commanded people to do this. The sacrament turns bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus. By accepting them, the believer receives the Lord into himself. He maintains his spiritual strength at the proper level.
Communion gives a great "charge" of spirituality. It is especially important that this Sacrament be performed over the sick and dying. The living must come to it regularly. At least once a fast, preferably on every big holiday.
How to Prepare for Communion
Everyone is not allowed to the sacrament in the Orthodox Church. A number of conditions must be met:
- be an Orthodox Christian;
- maintain a strict fast (at least 3 days);
- read all the necessary prayers;
- go to confession after the All-Night Vigil;
- come to Liturgy in the morning.
Only if all these conditions are fulfilled, the parishioner will be able to properly take communion in the Church. In some churches, confession is not received the night before, but in the morning during the service. But then it turns out that during the Divine service people are distracted by standing in lines. Still, it is better to confess when there is no need to rush and there is no pandemonium around.
Without confession, the following are allowed to the Sacrament:
- infants (children under 6 years old) - however, it is undesirable to feed them before the service;
- those who received Baptism the day before - but they also need to fast and also read prayers.
Fasting must be strict - it is required to give up all animal food (meat, fish, all dairy, eggs). The church calendar will help you navigate. It indicates which products are allowed. On some days, vegetable oil may be banned. For the sick and the elderly, the priest can make an exception, but in general it is not customary to relax the fast. Also, you can not drink after 12 at night and until the very moment of Communion.
How to Confess in Church
Many are also concerned about the question of how to properly confess in church - embarrassment and inexperience interfere. But in order to prove to God your firm desire to improve, you will have to overcome your fears. The priest is only a witness, he has seen and heard a lot, so it is unlikely that he will be very surprised. But before you approach the confessor, you need to prepare.
Since many are overwhelmed at confession, there is a tradition to write down their sins on a piece of paper. At the end of the confession, the priest takes this “list” and tears it up, as a sign that the Lord forgives everything. To compose a confession, you can use a special brochure, or simply take 10 commandments and think about what you have sinned against each.
- Do not blame others in confession, thereby justifying your negative behavior. Example: the wife yelled at her husband and says that he is “to blame” because he came drunk. So be it, but in any situation one must restrain oneself, act with love, without insults. As well as confessing in the church, it is necessary, talking only about yourself, and not about others.
- There is also no need to boast that there are no sins against some commandments. Yes, and is it? Adultery is considered not only physical adultery, but even the thought of it. Smoking is a slow form of suicide, and it is the gravest sin. In addition, the smoker harms others, exacerbating guilt. It is necessary to repent of this sin, because a Christian must maintain order not only in the soul, but also monitor the health of the body.
- No need to argue with the priest. This is a pure sin, for which they can generally be excommunicated from communion. Most likely, there are things that you still do not understand. You should reflect on what has been said.
There are no strict rules governing what to say in church during confession. It is important to show a sincere desire to improve. Confessors usually help those who are having difficulty by asking questions. There is no need to enumerate every sin whose name is read in the books. Many have a common root - pride, greed, unwillingness to work on themselves, dislike for others.
Prayers and worship
After the sins are named, the priest will cover his head with an epitrachelion (part of the vestment, a long embroidered strip), and read a special prayer. During it, you will need to give your name. After that, take a blessing from the priest, listen to instructions, if any. Then you need to go home to prepare further.
Before taking communion, one should read the daily prayer rule and special sacramental canons. They are published in all prayer books. The canon is a kind of church poetry that sets the soul in the right mood. You can read them in church before going to confession.
After the canons, prayers follow, they can be read in the morning, if there is time, only not during the Liturgy, but before it. The sacramental rule is sometimes broken into several parts to be read over the course of three days. But then the necessary mood is not reached. In case of doubt, you should ask the priest for advice - he will tell you how best to proceed.
We must try to maintain peace of mind during fasting days, not to quarrel with anyone, or all preparation will be lost. Many holy fathers teach that abstaining from certain foods is not as important as abstaining from anger, bad deeds.
- You must come to the Liturgy without delay.
- Small children are usually brought to Communion later - the priest will tell you what time to come.
- Women should not put on much perfume and make up - the Church is not a secular party, but the Temple of God.
- If a remark was made in the church, it is better not to be offended, but to thank and step aside.
- If after confession they committed some kind of sin, you should try to find your confessor and tell him about it. Usually, before Communion, one of the clergy leaves the altar to maintain order.
- Before you go to the Cup, you need to fold your hands on your chest so that the right one is on top. Make earthly bows in advance!
If a person has just accepted Baptism, he is obliged to come to the next Liturgy. He will be admitted to Communion without confession. Otherwise, the "Christian" demonstrates a complete disregard for everything on which the spiritual life is built. Baptism as a ritual does not guarantee salvation, for this it is necessary to constantly improve.
Now you know how to take communion and confess in church. Over time, most questions disappear by themselves, yesterday's newcomer becomes an experienced parishioner. May there be the acceptance of the Holy Mysteries of Christ for the salvation of soul and body!
How to Confess for the First Time
How to Communion and Confess in Church was last modified: July 8th, 2017 by Bogolub
How to behave before Holy Communion? Can I brush my teeth and take medicine in the morning? What can not be done after the Eucharist? Should I continue to fast? Why not lay down prostrations? Is kissing icons allowed? Is there a ban on foods with bones? Read the answers to the questions in the article.
Mystery connecting man to God
Communion (Eucharist) is the central Sacrament of the Church. Thanks to him, a person on earth can unite with Christ. After all, approaching the cup, we do not eat bread and wine, but the Body and Blood of Christ, thus accepting the Savior in our hearts.
And this is not some symbolic action, but a reality. So that people are not literally afraid when they see Flesh and Blood in the cup, the Lord vouchsafes us to partake of the Holy Gifts under the guise of bread and wine. But in the history of Christianity one can find many cases when those who approached the cup with doubts at some point were horrified. They saw the bloody liquid with their own eyes and even tasted the flesh in their mouths. Everyone can get acquainted with such examples in Christian literature, many cases are described in the book of Archpriest Vyacheslav Tulupov "The Miracle of Holy Communion".
But we would like to draw the reader's attention to a slightly different topic - how to behave on the day of Communion - and talk about some myths.
We have already written about the preparation for the Eucharist in the article “Communion for the first time - how to prepare?” . Here you can learn in detail how to fast, what prayer rules to read, and in general how to behave the day before.
How to behave in the morning before the Sacrament of the Eucharist?
On the day of Communion, one should not just “read” the morning rule and “finish” the following. First of all, it is worth praying carefully so that the Lord will vouchsafe us to take communion. We are all unworthy of the Body and Blood of the Savior, so we must gratefully accept this life-giving gift.
Do you brush your teeth?
The question is often asked: is it possible to brush your teeth in the morning? Some "orthodox" believe that it is impossible. But many priests answer: you can. Why?
If it is unpleasant for a person to go to work, communicate with people because of an uncomfortable smell from the mouth, then how can he approach the Chalice in such a form and with such a feeling? We must come to Christ with a pure heart and a pure mouth. In all senses.
Communion and medication
Another problematic question: how to take communion if you have to take pills in the morning?
Bishop Mark Golovkov says that pills are not food, but medicine. If you have serious health problems and it is dangerous for you to interrupt the course of some drug, then you should not give up both pills and Holy Communion.
If you are taking some kind of vitamins or nutritional supplements, and nothing serious will happen when you drink them not in the morning, but in the afternoon, then why panic? You can safely take communion, and when you come home, take vitamins or medicines.
If everything is more or less clear with behavior before Communion, then many questions remain about what is possible and impossible after receiving the Holy Gifts.
What is possible and what is not possible after Holy Communion?
Whether to beat earthly bows? Is it possible to spit? Is it possible to kiss on this day? Do you brush your teeth in the evening? Many of these questions will seem ridiculous, but nevertheless, they often worry the communicants.
You can't sin
If you ask a priest what not to do after Communion, he will surely answer with one word: "Sin."
Why? Because you have accepted Christ into your heart. And God is sinless. It cannot be combined with sin. Therefore, if we begin to transgress the commandments, then we literally drive the Savior out of our hearts.
That is why, after the Sacrament of the Eucharist, it is advised to be especially careful not to lose the grace received. It is believed that one should speak little, pray more, thank God, if possible, avoid empty conversations and companies.
After all, if the demon cannot tempt us directly, then he will try to do this through relatives and friends, or even random people.
Always give thanks
If a person does something good or pleasant for us, we just want to thank him. But how can we thank the Lord, who, for the sake of our salvation, accepted death on the cross and gave us the opportunity to unite with him in the sacrament of the Eucharist? No earthly words will suffice. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't even try.
To bow or not to bow?
It is believed that on the day of Holy Communion one should not bow to the ground. Why?
Kneeling is a sign of repentance, weeping for sins. And the person who takes communion rejoices, and does not cry and mourn. He received Christ into his heart.
Should I continue to fast?
Some confessors bless their spiritual children throughout the day to abstain from fast food and wine. Needless to say, there are no such rules. Where, then, did this custom come from?
After Holy Communion it is very easy to scatter grace. And a hearty meal can help. You had a good lunch, then you wanted to sleep. Thoughts about prayer and the meaning of the Sacrament receded into the background. Because of this, some priests do not bless eating heavy fatty foods and drinking wine.
But a moderate meal, even if it includes meat, dairy products and wine, does not hurt. So the main focus in this matter is moderation.
Is it possible to spit and eat berries with seeds?
Surely you have heard from believers or even priests that after the Sacrament of the Eucharist nothing should be spit out. How to understand this and is it worth adhering to this rule?
This prohibition is connected with pious fear, so as not to accidentally spit out a piece of the Holy Gifts. But in order to minimize this risk, after Communion we always take a drink - holy water or diluted wine and pieces of prosphora.
Moreover: during Holy Communion, it is advised to swallow a particle completely, without chewing it. Then you will not have fear - what if I accidentally spit out a particle along with food, while brushing my teeth in the evening.
Some priests, nevertheless, for insurance, advise not to use certain foods, because of which we will have to “spit”: fish with bones, berries with stones, and so on. If you had to use them, then it is often advised to carefully collect the bones and burn them.
In general, the opinions of the priests differ on this issue: some say that there is a point in such actions, while others urge not to strain the mosquito.
What should you do? Either consult with the priest you are confessing to, or act according to your conscience or avoid possible situations altogether. It is not necessary to eat foods with bones on the day of Holy Communion.
Is it possible to brush your teeth, kiss icons and relatives?
If you have taken Communion by swallowing a particle without chewing, then there is hardly any need to worry that you will inadvertently clean out a particle of the Holy Gifts. If there are still some fears, then it may be worth refraining from evening dental care.
And the last question from this category: is it possible to venerate icons and kiss relatives?
The ban on kissing the cross and icons looks like a manifestation of excessive piety. After the Sacrament of the Eucharist, one can and should venerate holy things.
There are no specific prohibitions on kissing relatives, marital kisses. But the one who takes communion should, as far as possible, refrain from sensual experiences and devote more time to prayer. In general, this is purely individual.
Priest Maxim Kaskun also talks about what not to do after Communion:
Take it, tell your friends!
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How to properly spend the day after the Sacrament of Communion? Can anyone take communion, and how should one take communion during Great Lent? Bishop Sylvester (Stoychev), rector of the Kiev Theological Academy, tells in detail.
- Vladyka, is Communion a gift or a medicine?
Communion is at the same time the greatest gift and, of course, a medicine, because, as the prayers say, “for the healing of the soul and body.” The writings of the Holy Fathers often say that Communion is a medicine that is given to us so that we have grace-filled strength for life in Christ. Many Byzantine authors consider Holy Communion within the framework of the scheme: Baptism-Anointing-Communion, where Baptism is adoption in Christ, a new birth in Him; Confirmation is the receiving of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the Eucharist is the strengthening of a renewed person. This is how, for example, Saint Nicholas Cabasilas thinks, although, of course, one must understand that the Eucharist is the "forming" Sacrament of the Church. One of the famous religious Russian philosophers, Alexei Khomyakov, even once said that the Church is the walls erected around the Eucharistic chalice. Christians come together in worship to pray together.
- When and for whom was the Sacrament of Communion established?
The Sacrament of Communion was established by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself during the Last Supper, the participants of which, according to the gospel text, were the apostles. The Eucharist is for all Christians for all time: "Do this in remembrance of me." On the basis of the Epistles of the Apostle Paul, we can say that already in those days there were recommendations for the correct approach to this Sacrament: “Let a man examine himself, and in this way let him eat from this bread and drink from this cup. For whoever eats and drinks unworthily, he eats and drinks condemnation to himself, not considering the Body of the Lord. Because of this, many of you are weak and sick, and many die” (1 Cor. 11:30).
- How often can I take communion?
Complex issue. I must say that for a long time there was such a practice that it was necessary to take communion 4 times a year - every fast. We will not go into details of the historical factors that led to the emergence of such a practice, one thing is clear: Church life involves more frequent participation in the Sacraments.
In the 20th-21st century, a certain Eucharistic revival took place in our Church, and in most parishes the clergy say that we should take communion often: every Sunday or, as St. Seraphim of Sarov, every twelfth holiday.
- But doesn’t frequent communion cause a danger of cooling off towards the shrine?
It depends on the person, confessor, parish. Everything is very individual. The life of an Orthodox Christian is impossible without constant communion. I am glad that most of our parishioners often take communion. In some Orthodox Churches, this is not observed, for example, in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, where parishioners rarely receive communion. My friend from Bulgaria told me that she visits a church where the priest recommends frequent communion, but he adopted this practice from the priests of the Russian Church he knew. But such a parish is the only one in their diocese.
- Can anyone take communion?
No one can boldly say that he is worthy of the Sacrament of Communion. Everyone should understand that there are obstacles.
What are the major obstacles?
Deadly sins. We are all sinners: every day we get irritated, offended, and fussy, but this is not a radical obstacle to Communion. If a person commits serious sins: murder, fornication, then he should not be allowed to the Chalice without going through a certain field, which the confessor will appoint him in the form of penance. According to the tradition of confessorship, the priest decides whether to bless the coming to Communion or not. Our confessors know all the subtleties of our soul. We must follow their advice.
- How should and can one take communion during Great Lent?
Considering that Great Lent is a special time for repentance, it is necessary to take communion every week, if there are no serious obstacles.
How should one spend the day after the Sacrament of Communion? They say that you can not beat bows. Is it possible to kiss the hand of a priest, icons after Communion?
There are many myths associated with this. I even heard that you can't take a shower (smiles). Logic in such statements, of course, no. The time after Communion should be spent in chastity, silence, in reading spiritual literature. The day of the Lord must be dedicated to Him. Everyone has daily worries, but try to cope with things in advance or on the day of Communion to spend a minimum of time on them. Communion is a day of joy, spiritual celebration, and it should not be exchanged for fussy everyday affairs.
As for the practice of not kissing a hand or an icon. After Communion, the Blood of Christ may remain on the lips. The priest who gives communion, or the deacons who hold the headscarf, keep an eye on it, but anything can happen. Until you have taken a drink, it is customary not to kiss either the cross, or the hand, or the icon, so that there is no temptation. There are no other purely practical recommendations. On Sunday, bowing to the ground is not supposed by the charter.
- What would you advise a person before the first Communion?
Much depends on the initial preparation of a person: one visits the Church for six months and only then approaches the Chalice, the other does not go to the temple, but decides to take communion on Maundy Thursday, because it is customary. You need to consult with the priest who confesses you. As a rule, for beginners, a detailed confession is needed, during which the depth of his intentions and the degree of churching are established. Also, the priest must explain how to fold his hands, how to approach the Chalice. The prayer mood is very important: some are used to performing morning and evening prayers and it will not be a burden for them to read 3 canons and the canon, and prayers for Communion, others can only say “Our Father” once a year. Such people should divide the prayer rule into several days so that they do not lose the desire to pray. It is customary to fast for several days before Communion. The sacrament must be received with reverence. If a person does not have reverence at the moment, then it is better to explain to him that Communion should be postponed so that there is no sin either on this person or on the priest, who, seeing such a state, nevertheless blessed to come to Communion.
Interviewed by Natalya Goroshkova
“It’s better for you not to take communion today…” Such penance imposed by a priest is often perceived as an undeserved punishment. What are the reasons for not allowing a person to take communion? Archpriest Konstantin Ostrovsky, rector of the Assumption Church in the city of Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region, Dean of the Churches of the Krasnogorsk District of the Moscow Diocese, answers.
The most dangerous thing is formalism
Father Konstantin, sometimes priests do not allow communion because a person has fasted not for three days, but for two. Some refuse to take communion during Bright Week or at Christmas time, because at this time the parishioners do not fast. On the other hand, there is an opinion that fasting before communion is not necessary at all - according to the church calendar, about half of fasting days are already in a year.
- Breaking the fast in itself does not refer to such grave sins and conditions in which a person should be prohibited from partaking of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Church rules, including those about fasting, are a gift from the Church to her children, and not a burden that one has to bear with anguish so that the priest does not scold. If a person, for some reason beyond his control, is not able to use the gift of the Church, this is a subject for patience and humility. If, due to frivolity, or partiality, or forgetfulness, a person has violated the rule given by the Church, this is a reason for repentance, but not yet for a ban. I advise all violators of fasting and other similar church regulations not to excommunicate themselves from communion arbitrarily, but to come to the service and bring the matter to the decision of the confessor. And decisions may be different, but they should never be formal. The task of the priest is not to observe the rule, but to bring benefit to a person, or at least not harm. It happens that a person is so distracted and gorged himself (even with lenten food) on the eve of communion that he himself feels the need to postpone communion. Well, let him put it off, fast, and then take communion. And it happens that someone, out of forgetfulness, put sour cream in the soup. I don't think strictness is appropriate in such cases.
As for fasting before communion, I think it should not be abolished altogether, but the severity and duration of fasting should be appropriate to the situation: different people in different circumstances should be given different advice. It is one thing when a person, for some reason, takes communion once a year, and quite another thing when on all Sundays and holidays. Both health and lifestyle habits matter. For some, the rejection of meat and dairy is a real feat, but for some, sunflower oil in potatoes is an indulgence to gluttony.
The worst thing about fasting is formalism. Some demand scrupulous observance of what they read in the Typicon, others demand the abolition of strict rules. But in fact, let the rules remain as a norm, a guideline, and how and to what extent to apply them, let the priest decide in each specific case especially, praying for a person, driven by love for him and a desire to help him on the path of salvation.
As for communion on Bright Week and on the Holy Days after Christmas, then, of course, if a liturgy is served in the Church, then it is possible to receive communion. How about a post? For those who ask me, I advise you to eat all kinds of food these days, but do not overeat. But I don't want to impose anything on anyone; the worst thing, I think, in this area is the disputes over the letter. If someone wants to eat greens for Easter, there is nothing wrong with that, just don’t be proud of it and don’t condemn those who eat differently. And let those who do not fast strictly, do not consider the fasters backward and unspiritual.
Let me give you an extensive quote from the Apostle Paul: “... Some people are sure that they can eat everything, but the weak eat vegetables. Who eats, do not humiliate the one who does not eat; and whoever does not eat, do not condemn him who eats, because God has accepted him. Who are you, condemning someone else's slave? Before his Lord he stands or falls. And he will be raised, for God is mighty to raise him up. One distinguishes day from day, and another judges every day equally. Everyone act according to the assurance of his mind. He who distinguishes the days distinguishes for the Lord; and whoever does not distinguish the days does not distinguish for the Lord. Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, does not eat for the Lord, and gives thanks to God. ... And what are you judging your brother? Or are you also, that you humiliate your brother? We will all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. ... Let us no longer judge each other, but rather judge how not to give a brother a chance to stumbling or temptation. I know and am confident in the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean in itself; only to him who considers something unclean, it is unclean to him. But if your brother is grieved over food, then you no longer act out of love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. … For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:2-6, 10, 13-15, 17).
The grounds for prohibiting communion for a longer or shorter period can only be either a serious sin (fornication, murder, theft, witchcraft, denial of Christ, obvious heresy, etc.), or a moral state that is completely incompatible with communion (for example, refusal to reconcile with repentant offender).
Legalization of non-churchness
In the nineties, many priests did not allow people living in an unmarried marriage to receive communion. Patriarch Alexy II pointed out the inadmissibility of this. But what about those living in a so-called civil marriage? Formally, fornication, but in fact it can not always be called such.
- Indeed, the late Patriarch Alexy II pointed out the inadmissibility of excommunicating people from communion only on the grounds that they live in an unmarried marriage. Of course, pious Orthodox Christians will not begin married life without a church blessing, which in our time is just taught in the sacrament of marriage. But there are many cases when unbaptized people entered into a legal marriage, have children, love each other, and remain faithful. And so, let's say, the wife believed in Christ and was baptized, but the husband has not yet. What to do? Is their marriage now turned into fornication and must be destroyed? Of course not. Yes, the apostle Paul writes about this: “If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she agrees to live with him, then he should not leave her; and a wife who has an unbelieving husband, and he agrees to live with her, must not leave him ”(1 Cor. 7: 12-13). Surely the fulfillment of the apostolic instruction should entail a prohibition in church communion? Moreover, in the first centuries of Christianity, church weddings did not exist at all. Christians entered into marriage with the knowledge of the bishop, but according to the laws of the country, and then, together with the whole community, they partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, this was the church recognition of their marriage. The ecclesiastical ceremony of marriage took shape gradually over the course of several centuries and became obligatory everywhere for Christians entering into marriage only at the end of the first millennium.
Regarding "civil marriage", let's clarify the terminology. A civil marriage (without any quotation marks) is a marriage concluded according to the customs and laws of the people or state, to which the husband and wife belong. It is no accident that I use here the various terms "custom" and "law," "people" and "state" together, by themselves, because at different times and in different places the legality of marriage can be determined in different ways. How to treat people who live in a family way, but who have not legally formalized their relationship in any way? Can they be allowed to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ? In the vast majority of cases, such cohabitation is unacceptable from a church point of view, and people must either enter into a legal marriage, or part with their cohabitants, and only then receive permission for sins in the sacrament of confession and be accepted into church fellowship. But there are difficult situations when a lawless family was created by non-church people and children were born to them. Here is an example from life: people have been living as spouses for many years, consider themselves husband and wife, but the marriage has not been registered. They have three children. About two years ago, the wife believed in Christ and came to the Church, she was told that the marriage must be registered. She agrees, tries to persuade her husband, but he refuses, says that all his friends who have signed are already divorced, but he does not want to get divorced. Of course, I don’t agree with him, that is, I think that I need to sign, but he doesn’t come to me for advice. And his wife can't convince him. She goes to church, takes the children to communion (her husband even helps her with this), the children study with us in Sunday school. Really, in this situation, it would be necessary to forbid this woman to take communion or demand from her to destroy the family, even if it was unregistered? The rule requiring Christians to enter into marriages in accordance with state laws is wise and should, of course, be observed. But we must not forget that although the law is higher than lawlessness, love is still higher than the law.
For some serious sins (murder, practicing the occult), excommunication from communion is expected for almost 20 years. Nobody canceled these rules, but today they are practically not applied.
- It seems to me that today many years of penance cannot fulfill its functions - healing the soul, reconciling it with God. In Byzantium it was possible. All the people there lived the church life, and the one who committed a serious sin remained a member of the community that was gathered around the Church. Just imagine: everyone goes to the service, and he remains on the porch. He doesn’t go to the movies and he doesn’t lie on the sofa by the TV, but he stands on the porch and prays! After a while, he begins to enter the temple, but cannot receive communion. All these years of penance, he prayerfully repents, realizing his unworthiness. And what will happen today if we excommunicate a person from communion for five years? Not a member of the community, but most likely someone who came to confession for the first time in his life at the age of 40-50-60. As he did not go to church before, so now he will not. Moreover, “legally,” he will say: the priest did not allow me to take communion, so I am lying at home, drinking beer, and when the period of penance has passed, I will go to take communion. It will be so, only not everyone will live to see the end of the penance, and of those who live, many will forget about God. That is, today, in modern conditions, imposing many years of penance on a person who first came to the temple, we essentially legalize his non-churchhood. Meaning? After all, a person who is in mortal sin and does not want to repent, change his life, and so cannot receive communion until repentance. If he has changed, laments about what he has done, I believe that even with the most serious sins, if it is forbidden for him to take communion, then not for long, especially for those who came for the first time.
The attitude towards church people should be more strict. Fortunately, church people do not often fall into serious mortal sins, but I remember a case when a regular parishioner who had been going to church for more than one year had an abortion and took communion. Here penance was appropriate, and the woman did not grumble when she was appointed to her, a man has a conscience. But when a pensioner comes, whom her grandmother took to communion as a child, then she became a pioneer, a Komsomol member, lost her way, had an abortion, and 40 years later she thought about God, what kind of penance can there be? And even if an abortion was recently performed, but by a non-church woman who walked the ways of this world, and now she believed and repented, I also do not think that penance should be imposed on her. I note, by the way, that a priest can impose even small penances only with the consent of the penitent himself. Only the ecclesiastical court itself and the ruling bishop have the right to ecclesiastical court. As for long-term penances, this is all the more not within the competence of the parish priest.
How often, in your opinion, should a layman take communion? Is it possible to take communion every day at Christmas time or Bright Week?
- It is absolutely normal when the whole community gathers on a Sunday or other holiday for a liturgy and everyone partakes of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. True, this norm is forgotten by most of us. And daily communion was just not the norm, because the liturgy was not served every day. But since then a lot of water has flowed under the bridge, church customs have changed, and not only because of the lack of spirituality among parishioners and clergy, there are also factors that do not depend on specific people. Now, I think, it is impossible to introduce or even recommend general rules for all.
There are people who recognize themselves as Orthodox, who do not fall into grave mortal sins, who, however, take communion only three or four times a year and do not feel the need for more. I do not think that they should be forced or even persuaded to take communion more often. Although, as far as possible, I try to explain to all Christians the meaning and salvation of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood.
If an Orthodox person takes communion on all Sundays and holidays, this is natural for a Christian. If for some reason it does not work out, let it be as it turns out. Once a month, it seems to me, every person can get out to the temple for communion, but if this is not possible, what can you do. The Lord welcomes the intention. Only it is not necessary to consider communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ a feat! If so, then it is better not to take communion at all. The Body and Blood of Christ is not our feat, but the grace of God. But if someone wants to take communion several times in a row during the Bright Week, not in the order of achievement, but in simplicity, then what's wrong with that? If a person is not hindered by anything, I usually do not mind. But in order to constantly take communion every day, there must be serious reasons. In and of itself, this has never been a church norm. Here St. Theophan the Recluse in the last years of his life took communion every day. Let everyone look at what really incites him to extraordinarily frequent communion: the grace of God or his own vain fantasies. It is also good to consult with a confessor.
Confessors themselves must approach human souls with great caution. I remember once I had to confess to an old woman (I was still a novice priest at that time), she said that she did not want to, but she took communion every day. "How so?" I asked. She replied that her spiritual father told her so. I tried to dissuade the old woman from such an absurd, in my opinion, feat, but the authority of the spiritual father prevailed. I don't know how it ended.
The first inhabitants of the Earth, the forefathers Adam and Eve, lived in Paradise, not knowing the need for anything. According to the persuasion of the crafty Serpent, they tasted the forbidden fruit - they sinned and were expelled to Earth. Modern man succumbs to other temptations, just like Adam and Eve, by his actions he becomes unfit for Paradise. It is never too late to ask God for forgiveness, being in earthly life, one must have a firm desire not to sin - to confess and take communion. What is communion in the church and how it is performed - requires clarification, because not everyone knows about it.
What does it mean to take communion in church?
Awareness of one's own sinfulness entails a desire to repent, that is, to admit a wrong deed and the intention not to commit such a thing in the future. To ask for forgiveness for the sins committed - to confess, and to reunite with him in soul - to take communion in the church, to feel like a part of God's great grace. Communion is prepared from bread and wine, which are the blood and flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ.
How is the sacrament?
The main condition for taking communion is confession with a priest, spiritual rebirth, in which a person admits his mistakes, sincerely asks for forgiveness not from a priest, but from God himself. During the service in the church, bread and wine invisibly turn into church communion. Taking communion is a sacrament, through which a person becomes an heir to the kingdom of God, an inhabitant of paradise.
What is communion for?
For a believer, communion gives deliverance from bad thoughts, helps to fight the attacks of evil in everyday affairs, serves as spiritual reinforcement, and leads to inner spiritual rebirth. The unequivocal answer regarding reflections on whether it is necessary to take communion is yes. The human soul is the creation of the Lord, his spiritual child. Every person, coming to an earthly parent, rejoices if he has not seen him for a long time, so every soul rejoices, coming to God, the heavenly father, through this ritual.
What days can you take communion in church?
They accept it on the days when the Divine Service is taking place in the church. A person decides how often he can receive communion on his own. The Church recommends that in every fast, and there are 4 fasts, to come to confession and receive communion, preferably annually. If a person has not come to church for a long time - he has not taken communion, and the soul requires repentance, there is no need to be afraid of condemnation from the priest, it is better to come to confession right away.
How to take communion in church?
It is customary to follow the rules indicating. After confession, the priest blesses for the acceptance of Holy Communion, which is performed on the same day. At the liturgy, after the prayer "Our Father", the communicants approach the steps leading to the altar and wait for the priest to take out the Chalice. It is not appropriate to be baptized in front of the chalice; one must carefully listen to the prayer.
At such a moment, there is no need to fuss, create a crowd - slowly approach communion, letting children and the elderly go ahead. In front of the Holy Chalice, cross your arms over your chest, say your name, open your mouth and swallow a piece, kiss the edge of the bowl, then go to the table with warm tea and prosphora, drink the sacrament. After such actions, it is allowed to kiss the icons, to talk. It is forbidden to receive communion twice on the same day.
How to Prepare for Communion?
Preparation for the communion of an adult is to endure fasting, reconcile with enemies, not harbor feelings of hatred or anger, realize sinful offenses, regret what was done wrong, refrain from bodily pleasures for several days, make penitential prayers, confess. The decision to receive communion for the seriously ill is made by the priest without much preparation.
People who are in mortal danger, if they do not have the opportunity to prepare for the reception of the Holy Mysteries, are not deprived of the opportunity to receive communion. Baptized children under 7 years of age are allowed to take communion without confession and fasting. Infants after the Sacrament of Baptism can be communed very often, they are given a small particle - a drop under the guise of Blood.
Fasting before communion
Before communion, it is customary to fast, to refrain from taking meat, dairy, fish products for 3-7 days, if the same fast established by the church for everyone does not fall on this period, for example, Christmas, Great. It is necessary to make a decision whether it is possible to take communion if one has not fasted due to the physical state of a person’s health, only on the advice of a clergyman. An exception to the rule is children under the age of seven and people whose health does not allow adherence to such a nutrition system.
The answer to the question of whether it is possible for a repentant person to receive communion without confession is no. The priest listens to the sins of the penitent not out of curiosity, he is a mediator who testifies to God that a person who repented came to church, regretted, expressed a desire to start life from a new leaf. The priest who confesses a person makes a decision on admission to communion, gives a blessing based on specific rules, and not personal motives.
Prayers Before Communion
On the day preceding communion, from the evening until the very acceptance of the Sacraments, they refuse to eat and drink water, do not smoke cigarettes, and do not allow intimate relationships. You should first read - appeals to God, in which he expresses his sinfulness in words and asks for forgiveness. Before confessing, they read penitential prayers called canons:
- canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ;
- prayer canon to the Most Holy Theotokos;
- canon to the Guardian Angel;
- adherence to Holy Communion.
It is difficult to read the prayers set before communion in one evening; it is allowed to divide the reading of their rules into 2-3 days. The Canon for Communion (the Rule for Communion) is read the evening before, after which there are prayers for the coming dream. Prayers before Communion (the Rule for Communion) are read in the morning on the day of Communion, after morning prayers.
Is it possible to take communion during menstruation?
It is impossible to take church communion if a woman has her period. Communion among Orthodox Christians is a celebration of the triumph of the soul, it is customary to prepare for it in advance, not to postpone the possibility of repentance until later. Coming to the temple, a person brings the soul to a living source - by taking communion, he renews his spiritual strength, and through the healed soul, bodily weaknesses are healed.
