Communion is one of the main Sacraments in the Orthodox Church. It is very important for every Christian to partake of the Saints of the Blood and Body of Christ, because at the same time he is not symbolically, but actually united with God. All baptized Orthodox Christians can and should receive Communion after the prescribed preparation for this by fasting, prayers and Confession.
It is necessary
Orthodox prayer book, Gospel, Holy Canon
Instructions
Step 1
Great Lent is the longest and strictest fast in the Orthodox Church. It does not only provide for abstinence from certain types of food. Fasting is an exercise of the soul. This is an opportunity to prove your love for God.
If you live an irregular church life (rarely attending the temple), Great Lent is a time for prayer and repentance, a time for communion with the Sacraments, the key of which is Communion. But in order to achieve this goal, you need to be ready for some kind of moral feat.
During Great Lent, you can receive communion on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; small children on Saturdays and Sundays.
First of all, you need to understand the meaning of fasting and give up both bodily and mental temptations. Without understanding his meaning of fasting, he can become harmful. As a result of unreasonable passing of the post, irritability, anger, impatience or vanity, conceit, pride often appear. But the point of fasting is precisely to eradicate these sinful qualities.
Step 2
Try to soften your heart, think about your soul, make your life more whole and virtuous. Pray more often (it is necessary to read the prayer rule daily), read the soulful literature, the Gospel.
Step 3
Another important step towards Communion is the need to attend church services as often as possible, both on weekends and on weekdays. At least during Great Lent, cast aside some worldly affairs and worries and try to become closer to God.
Step 4
A prerequisite for Communion is the need for Confession. Repentance will cleanse your soul, and the Sacrament will fill it with grace.
Confession must be made in the evening before the day of Communion or in the morning before the Liturgy. Before Confession, make peace with everyone with whom you are in a quarrel, ask everyone for forgiveness. On the eve of Communion, you should refrain from marital relations, after midnight do not eat, drink or smoke.
Step 5
If the priest accepts your repentance and admits you to Communion, take your place at the altar and wait for the removal of the Holy Chalice. Approaching the Chalice, one must crosswise fold the arms on the chest (right over left).
Approaching the Chalice, pronounce your Christian name clearly, open your mouth wide and reverently accept the Holy Gifts. Then kiss the bottom of the Chalice, then move back to the table with warmth and wash down the Communion.
Step 6
During Great Lent, you should try to confess and receive communion at least once, but you should try to talk and receive the Holy Mysteries of Christ three times: on the first week of Lent, on the fourth and on Holy Thursday.
