Communion is God's grace, a great Sacrament through which Christians can become involved in the Savior himself. It is important to know how to fast correctly, so that after confessing sins and receiving communion, you will receive God’s anointing for faith, the power of love and patience.

What is fasting and why fast before communion?

Communion is open door to receive God's grace into the lives of Christians. Through Communion, believers receive:

Each believer himself is responsible for accepting God’s Sacrament, for, as the Apostle Paul writes, whoever does this without reasoning, sinning, gets sick and even dies (Cor. 11:28-30).

Enough ordeal for Christians, isn't it? If you don’t take Communion, you don’t receive blessings and grace; if you take it, you can get sick and die. Where is the way out? And the way out is simple - fasting and confession of sins.

Fasting is a time when a person, through pacification of the flesh, tries to cleanse himself of harmful mental attachments and habits in order to get closer spiritually to the Creator. Lent is a time of prayer and reflection on the sacrifice of Christ, Its cleansing and blessing power . During preparation for communion, Christians try to reconsider their lives, identify sins in it and repent of them.

It is difficult to resist temptations when you are full and happy. It is difficult not to fall into temptation when drinking alcohol or at entertainment events. During fasting, people, taming their flesh, tame their emotions and morals. According to John the Ladder, during repentance, purity of prayer should take precedence, in silence, obedience, giving up pleasures and evil thoughts in order to receive pleasure in Heaven.

Some Christians can sit for hours in in social networks, spend time in empty talk on the phone, take part in gossip, but at the same time be in strict abstinence from food, proud of themselves. I would like to disappoint such believers - God does not look at the stomach, but at the soul.

Anything that separates a Christian from God is sin.

Important! Fasting is the only opportunity to get closer to the Almighty. According to the priests, fasting and prayer are wings that allow the believing soul to fly to Heaven.

The history of fasting before communion

The first Christians after the Ascension of Jesus took the sacrament daily and were constantly in fellowship. Of course, at that time there could be no talk of fasting. The Apostle Paul wrote his message to Christians of that time, reminding them of the importance of reflection before accepting the Holy Sacrifice of Christ.

Icon of the Communion of the Apostles

During the time of the apostles, the Eucharist was celebrated in the evening, but over time the Sacrament of Communion was moved to the morning, giving believers the opportunity to receive the food of the Lord, which cleanses the blood and body, from the very morning.

First appearance fast days before the Eucharist dates back to the fourth century. The priests of that time noted the cooling of faith and called on Christians to abstain from sexual pleasures and worldly amusements before receiving the Holy Gifts, but nothing was said about food.

Early Christians fasted three times a week and on the days of fasting established by the Church. Govenie, or restriction in eating for three to seven days, appears at the beginning of the ninth century due to the decline of spiritual life.

According to Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, there is no single requirement for three days of abstinence before the Eucharist.

Each believer individually decides how long it will take him to come to purity and reverence before the Lord. Some Christians resolve this issue with their spiritual mentor.

Rules of conduct during preparation for Communion

Three days of abstinence before taking the sacrament is not a requirement, but only a wish. It concerns mainly people who participate in the Eucharist 2-3 times a year. There are no additional abstinence requirements during the four fasts.

In the church, believers and baptized people partake of the Body and Blood of Christ

According to the decree of the Orthodox Church, during fasting it is forbidden to eat:

• products of animal origin;
• eggs;
• dairy products;
• selectively - fish.

These days, food is prepared not for the pleasure of eating it, but as a means to maintain health in the temple of God, i.e. in the Christian himself.

If fish is the main type of food, then it can be consumed.

Before the Eucharist, Christians do not eat food, having previously spent the day in prayer, giving up entertainment, drinking alcoholic beverages and sex.

Important! At the Sacrament of Confession, one should honestly confess to the priest about all his misdeeds, so that he can decide whether it is safe for a Christian to touch the Holy Gifts or whether he should return home and carefully prepare.

Before confession and communion, Christians go to the evening service in the church, and in the morning they are required to attend the Liturgy. Sincere repentance at Confession opens the door to Communion.

Fasting before communion: how to observe it correctly

Relaxations in fasting

Participle - great power, giving healing, liberation from addictions, forgiveness of sins and joy. Christians of all ages, even infants, are allowed to participate in this sacrament.

Children who have not yet turned 7 years old receive communion without observing abstinence beforehand, but this does not mean permissiveness in food and games. The seed of reverence for the Sacraments, planted in a child's soul, will bear good fruit as the child grows up. In infancy, the feat of shitting parents - best example for the younger generation.

Pregnant women and patients must carefully monitor their diet; for such there are no days of dry eating. This category of Christians checks with their spiritual mentor on the list of acceptable dishes.

Modern cuisine is rich in all kinds of products, the skillful preparation of which ready-made recipes cannot harm pregnant women, the fetus, or the sick.

The Church also graciously treats the category of people who are outside the home and eat in canteens. This is the army, boarding schools, hospitals and places of detention. In this case, if possible, you should give up fast food for several days, intensifying your prayer and staying in the Word.

Dying and seriously ill people are allowed to receive Communion without any preparation.

Fasting is not a diet or punishment, but a great blessing from the Creator himself, bringing us closer to God.

By constantly being in prayer, reading the “Our Father” and the sinner’s prayer, fasting people take another step closer to the Savior, Healer and our hope for eternal life.

Sinner's Prayer

My Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

My Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

My Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.

Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.

Lord, have mercy according to Your great mercy in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

IN church calendar fasts are prescribed before certain holidays. But confession and communion are individual sacraments. No one specifies the day when one should cleanse one’s soul from sins, just as no one prescribes how often one should confess. One person confesses his sins to his confessor every week, another - before major church holidays. Sometimes the period before communion falls during a general Orthodox fast. What to do then?

Some people even come to communion without fasting or confession. But the Holy Gifts are the greatest sacrament. According to the Church, they should not be eaten by people mired in sins. And in order to prepare oneself for confession and communion, a person should fast. But if there is still some clarity with meat and animal products, then the question of whether fish can be eaten before communion remains open. A document from the Inter-Council Presence commission regarding this problem was recently released. It is called "Preparation for Holy Communion." Let's see what this document says about fasting.

The importance of fasting before communion

How the soul should be prepared to receive the Holy Gifts was discussed even in the early Church, and not only at the commission of the Inter-Council Presence on problems of parish practice. In the First Epistle to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul writes that people who eat the bread of the Lord and drink His cup unworthily will be guilty of sins against the Body and Blood of Christ. Therefore, you need to test yourself so as not to be condemned.

This indicates that a person must cleanse his body and soul before receiving communion. And even the priest performing the liturgy pronounces the following formulation: “May it not be a condemnation for me to receive the communion of Your Holy Mysteries.” One thing is clear: before consuming the Gifts of the Lord, one should confess and fast. And if we prepare our soul with prayers and repentance, then our body - with abstinence in food. But is it possible to eat fish before confession and communion? Is this product considered prohibited during this period?

The meaning of fasting

Before you accept God into yourself and partake of His Body and Blood, you need to prepare yourself for this event. After all, even before secular holidays, we clean our house and decorate the room in which we will receive guests. How should one prepare to partake of the Holy Gifts? All priests argue that the matter should not be limited to one fast. If you limit yourself in food, but at the same time be arrogant, do not admit your sins, harbor hostility towards your neighbor and violate the commandments of Christ, then such abstinence will not give anything.

Confession before communion is required. After all, then the believer comes to the realization of his sins and repentance. And besides the question of whether it is possible to eat fish and fish soup, a person should be more concerned about his own state of mind. After all, it is not for nothing that the period before receiving the Holy Gifts is called fasting, and not just fasting. Those preparing for this event must read three canons (repentance to Christ, prayer service to the Mother of God and to the Guardian Angel). He must also attend the evening service in the church on Saturday. And of course, worldly entertainment should be avoided during this period.

Number of days of fasting

The Church does not have a consensus on how many days a believer should abstain from drinking before receiving the Holy Gifts. In this matter, everything is very individual. The fast, or rather its duration, is prescribed by the confessor. Usually this is three days. But if a person has diseases (especially gastrointestinal tract), general weakness of the body, pregnancy or lactation, then the duration of fasting is reduced.

The group of “beneficiaries” also includes military personnel, who cannot choose dishes and products at their own discretion, but are forced to eat what they give. The confessor also looks at other circumstances. First of all, this is the frequency of communion. If someone resorts to partaking of the Holy Gifts for the first time, then such a person is prescribed a week-long fast. And whoever takes communion every Sunday, then it is enough for such a believer to abstain from fast food only on Wednesday and Friday. This category of people has a question: is it possible to eat fish before communion?

What types of posts are there?

For a worldly person, bodily abstinence seems to be something unified. If you are fasting, it means you cannot eat meat and animal products (milk and eggs). You can also eat fish, vegetable fats, drinks, including alcoholic drinks, vegetables and fruits. But the Church divides fasts into ordinary and strict. There are days when you can’t eat not only meat, but also fish. Some fasts also prohibit vegetable oil (so-called oil).

There are days of dry eating. During them, you cannot take any food until sunset, and in the evening you are allowed to eat only Now let’s look at the fasting before receiving the Holy Gifts: is it possible to eat fish before communion?

What fast should you observe before confession?

Cleansing the soul from sins does not require any preparation. Previously, good believers went to their confessor and confessed when they felt the need for it. And it is not at all necessary to receive the Eucharist immediately after the remission of sins. But if you are going to do this, then fasting is necessary, that is, preparing the soul and body to receive the holy sacrament of the Church. And here it would be appropriate to ask the question: is it possible to eat fish before communion? Regarding this product, a negative answer can only be given with certainty for Saturday evening. Everything else depends on the frequency of your communion, your health and life circumstances. It also matters whether Orthodox Church general fast these days. In this case, the food requirements for fasting people change.

On the eve of participation in the holy liturgy, when you are about to begin receiving the Holy Gifts, you must observe strict fasting. This means that fish and various dishes made from it cannot be eaten. Monks are instructed to consume only uneaten sochivo (that is, vegetables not flavored with any fat) on Saturday evenings.

The church day begins at midnight. Therefore, all Sunday before receiving the sacrament you can neither eat nor drink. It is also advisable to attend the Saturday evening service. Is it possible to eat fish before communion on other days? If, for example, your confessor has prescribed a week of abstinence for you, then you should avoid meat, dairy products and eggs for all seven days. But besides this, on Wednesday and Friday you need to stick to it, that is, exclude fish, fish soup and seafood from your diet on these days. The Church has a special attitude towards nutrition on Saturday (if it is not Holy Saturday). Many priests believe that it is impossible to fast on the sixth day of the week. But this does not apply to those who fast, that is, those who prepare themselves to receive the Gifts of the Lord.

We have already mentioned above that the degree of severity of abstinence depends on church days. If all Orthodox Christians observe fasting (before Easter or Christmas), then those fasting should even more so avoid forbidden foods. Moreover, their abstinence should differ from others in greater severity.

If, for example, in certain days Believers are forbidden to eat meat, but fasting people should also abstain from fish. On some days, such as Wednesday and Friday, it is better for them not to add sugar to their drinks, but to replace it with honey. Vegetable oil, sauces and seasonings are also undesirable when fasting. You should also not overeat on permitted foods. After all, moderation in food is an integral part of preparation for receiving the Holy Gifts.

Instead of a conclusion

Perhaps some will think that this article did not answer the question of whether it is possible to eat fish before communion. A categorical no can only be said regarding the day on which the sacrament will take place (from midnight you cannot eat or drink anything).

It is also considered soul-saving to abstain from food all day on Saturday, and in the evening, on the eve of communion, you should dine on foods that are allowed during strict fasting (that is, without fish). But this requirement can also be relaxed for the sick, pregnant and lactating women. The severity and duration of fasting before communion is established by the confessor.

Confession and communion for many people is a way to restore spiritual balance, cleanse themselves, and become closer to God.

There is no exact rule determining the need for communion or confession, so true believers try to take communion every Sunday.

In this regard, the question arises: what actions should a person take on the eve of this event.

Is it necessary to fast before confession and communion?

There are no precise instructions regarding preparation for communion or confession. There are certain customs that people follow before church activities.

The customs arose during the Eucharistic period and are considered relevant to the modern church.

In this regard, the following canons arose:

1. Confession is required before communion.
2. Communion is celebrated on an empty stomach; you cannot eat after midnight.
3. Observe marital abstinence for the day.

How to fast before confession and communion?

Fasting before communion causes a lot of controversy among believers. Before communion, you can not only eat for a certain time, but also smoke, drink, slander, argue, use the Internet, watch TV and read the press.

On the eve of confession and communion, it is necessary to read prayers.

And consume certain foods, as well as in moderation - without excesses:

1. Eat five times a day and stay hydrated.
2. Eat boiled raw vegetables with minimal added salt.
3. The best side dishes are porridge without oil.
4. Fruits and fruit infusions should be the main dessert.

It is imperative to improve spiritually and emotionally during the days of fasting. While eating, enrich yourself with positive emotions and thoughts.

How many days should you fast?

Besides the fact that not everything can be eaten on the eve of confession and communion, such retention must continue for a certain time.

Each canon defines a different period of time, so it is better to consult with a spiritual mentor who will carry out the procedure.

Possible time frames:

1. Strict unconditional fasting is observed for 24 hours before confession and communion.
2. Ideally It is worth observing a three-day fast before church procedures of this type.
3. The best An option would be to perform generally accepted fasts, which are indicated in the canons of the Orthodox Church.

Note! In the process of fasting, you should not resort to extremes - an exhausted body and mind are not welcome.

People who rarely receive communion must observe a compulsory week-long fast with the accompanying reading of the main prayers. In addition, you should adhere to fasting in terms of entertainment, thoughts and statements.

What should you not eat during Lent before communion?

It is worth keeping the post wisely. It is also worth taking into account the generally accepted fast that believers should adhere to.

Attention! Fish should not be eaten only on those days of abstinence from food when they coincide with the main day. Orthodox fasting– during the rest of the period, this product can be eaten.

Moderation should be observed not only in limiting foods, but also in portions. You need to eat as much as you need to satisfy the body's needs - you absolutely cannot overeat.

What to eat:

Products	What should the food be like?	Specific Recommendations
Vegetables	Vegetables can be boiled or fresh. It is better not to eat canned or pickled vegetables.	Boiled vegetables complement side dishes. Fresh vegetable salads can be a completely independent dish
Fruits	Canned fruits are excluded. Only fresh products are used for food	Fruits can serve as a snack or replace desserts for those with a sweet tooth. Walnuts will become more nutritious
Fish	Low-fat fish varieties are suitable. It is worth considering the spawning seasons. You should not eat fish with caviar.	The fish should be boiled or baked in the oven. Do not use spices and salt in large quantities
Beverages	You cannot use smoked dried fruits. Tea, coffee, cocoa are not included in the list of permitted drinks. The most the best option there will be water	Compotes and decoctions should not be sweet, the natural taste of the ingredients should be preserved
Bakery products	The ideal option would be bread with the addition of oats and other grains.	Crackers from any bread can be used as a dessert and for a snack. Borodino bread croutons added to salad

Fasting for pregnant women and children

Fasting before confession and communion is not possible for everyone and not in all situations.

• For pregnant women Observance of food restrictions is completely excluded by the church.

  It is better for expectant mothers to think about spiritual and emotional enrichment, which should be continued throughout pregnancy.

• For children Until the age of five, it is also better not to resort to food restrictions. It is worth having conversations with the child, talking about the sacraments of confession and communion, and introducing them to the traditions and rules of the ritual.
• To the people who adhere to therapeutic diets or suffer from certain diseases, it is not necessary to adhere to food restrictions, and sometimes it is completely categorical.

If during the “fasting” signs of malaise or poor health appear, then you should return to your usual diet and take communion on an empty stomach.

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Many Orthodox believers ask the priests in person, via the Internet, or ask their relatives: is it possible to brush your teeth before communion? But this is far from the only thing that not only beginners can ask. Churchgoers have a lot of questions. It is worth noting that there are a huge number of para-church myths and misconceptions.

This article briefly retells the answers of experienced and pious priests, gives recommendations and useful tips for beginners.

What is Communion?

What does Christ say in the Gospel about Communion? On the eve of his terrible death on the cross, He gathers his disciples together and prepares a meal. There is bread and wine on the table. Christ says that in memory of Him they will drink wine and eat bread, since these are symbols of His blood and body.

To this day, liturgy is celebrated in churches and Holy Communion is prepared using bread and wine. The priests pray together with the parishioners with the words “For the offered Honest Gifts to the Lord, let us pray.”

What is actually meant by the bread and wine in the Holy Chalice? Prayers read before Communion at home are just as necessary for a Christian as those in church. Why is prayer needed? Because the Lord connects with precisely the person who calls him to himself.

What is Communion?

There are several pieces of evidence about how Communion is actually prepared and what is hidden underneath it from human eyes. One day a certain man came into the temple. The royal doors in the temple were open. The priests stood at the altar. Suddenly a man who came in saw the priest piercing the baby with a spear. He shouted to the whole temple: “Why are you killing the baby?” All the people standing in the temple turned around. No one could understand which baby we're talking about. In fact, the priest had a prosphora (small bread made from wheat flour and water) in his hands.

The Lord invisibly and endlessly sacrifices himself for the sake of people, but not materially, but spiritually. His actual crucifixion was seen almost 2000 years ago at Golgotha ​​in Jerusalem.

Let's return to the Gospel and to those lines where the Lord is at the Last Supper. He said: “From now on you will drink my blood (wine) and eat my body (bread) in memory of Me.” But even the apostles did not know how this would happen. Moreover, it is not given to us to know. This is a Divine secret. We can only take it seriously, and as it is, without a doubt. Therefore, the prayers read before Communion are very necessary, first of all for the person receiving communion.

Another living testimony:

In the city of Lanciano (Italy) to this day there is true proof that Communion is not just bread and wine. IN catholic church Saint-Legotius in the 8th century, a priest doubted that Communion was a miracle. When he picked up a piece of bread, he saw something similar to muscle tissue. He looked into the Cup and saw that instead of wine there was blood. The priest screamed in horror. Then he realized that there was no doubt. The Lord proved to him that everything was for real. To this day, this miracle is located in Lanciano. Many pilgrims come to pray near such a shrine.

What does a Christian need before communion?

Of course, first of all, the belief that he will be given to taste not just bread and wine, but the body of Christ. Of course, such a meal is a miracle. The Lord gives a piece of himself to a sinful person. Therefore, one must approach Communion not only with fear, but also with faith. You can’t just receive communion like that.

How to treat?

Above we looked at two testimonies of the miracle of God. It is worth noting that in the altar during the Liturgy there is not only Jesus Christ, but also Mother of God, Archangels, saints.

It is not for nothing that the holy fathers said that the angels grieve because they do not receive communion. After all, they have no body, no need. They are already with God. And the Lord gave man such great gift- connect with yourself during Communion. Even if it is invisible.

*canon of repentance to the Savior;

*canon of prayer to the Mother of God;

*canon to the Guardian Angel;

*following to Holy Communion.

It is all these prayers, chants, kontakia that will help you prepare correctly to receive the Holy Gifts as they should be.

Fasting and Confession:

The priests say that you need to fast for at least 3 days. If a person is unchurched, rarely attends church, and sins, then he needs to prepare for almost a week. That's why best option for such people this is Lent, the Nativity Fast, as well as Petrov and Uspensky. But this is why there is no need to choose periods of multi-day fasting. After all, what is more important is reconciliation with God, not convenience.

What should someone who rarely goes to church do before Communion?

Firstly, You definitely need to go to the priest for confession. When the priest receives penitents, you can find out in the temple that is closer to your home or that you want to visit. Be prepared for the fact that the priest may not allow you to receive Communion after confession. There could be a lot of reasons for this. Often, in order to be allowed to receive communion, you need to fast, repent, and visit the temple many times. After confession, you must definitely ask the priest whether he blesses you to approach the Holy Chalice or not. Often the priests themselves insist that the confessor receive communion. You need to take this advice.

What is the fast before communion?

If you are new or have not been to church for a long time, then be sure to go to the priest for confession. Usually during this sacrament many spiritual issues are resolved. Father will explain to you what to do, what to beware of, and when you can receive communion.

What is meant by fasting?

Meat and milk should not be eaten, eggs too. In addition, dishes, products, and drinks that contain the above products are not consumed. Remember that fasting should be spiritual in nature. Eat little food. For example, for breakfast - tea with oatmeal cookies or oatmeal porridge with water, for lunch - soup with vegetable broth, for dinner - vegetable salad and rice/potatoes.

Drink before communion, as during fasting, alcoholic drinks forbidden. It is also recommended to give up coffee. After all, the body should be a temple of the soul, a calm “home”, sober and cheerful. Meal food (not fasting), coffee and alcohol cannot in any way induce prayer.

Spiritual side:

Let's continue our conversation about fasting. We've sorted out the food. As for entertainment, watching movies, you need to put all this aside. Any unimportant matters must be replaced with prayers to God, the Most Holy Theotokos, your Guardian Angel and the saints.

Let's talk about what to read before Communion. Above we mentioned the canons and adherence to Holy Communion. In addition to them, it is recommended to read the Gospel and the Holy Fathers. Beware of taking near-church literature or that which is falsely Christian.

There is no need to fuss during fasting. If possible, put things off until later. They can wait. After all, earthly life is fleeting, but a faster needs to think about eternity.

Why such restrictions?

During the Liturgy, before the removal of the Holy Chalice, the choir sings that we (the parishioners) are leaving all earthly vanity. Not every (especially modern) person understands that sooner or later earthly life will end and everything that he worked so hard on will go into oblivion. After all, he will not be able to, together with himself, afterlife pick up your passport or favorite job, bank accounts or computer with valuable information. He will appear before God with his conscience, with his sins and virtues. The Lord won't ask if you were general director, He will ask you to answer for offending your grandmother-client. God doesn't care if you had a Lexus. He will ask if you gave lifts to the infirm, the weak, without taking money from them.

Why are there restrictions on fasting in relation to entertainment?

The time has come to sit down at the table or stand in front of the icons and think: what bad have you done in your entire life, during this period.

Is your conscience clear?

It is more important for a Christian to know not about, for example, whether it is possible to brush your teeth before Communion, but about what sins actually exist and what repentance is, how not to sin. The Lord is upset when a person commits a sin even mentally. Just think: you are mentally angry, even your heart is numb. This is also a sin. You need to repent sincerely.

When are you not allowed to receive communion?

Do you know that you need to get rid of your sins? If you have repented, you should try to avoid sins. In order for a priest to be allowed to receive Communion, you must attend the evening service every Saturday, then at the Liturgy in the morning. The same should be done in large church holidays. You need to read the morning books at home and evening prayers according to the Prayer Book. Of course, this takes 20-30 minutes. If you don't have time, you can read Seraphim's Rule: “Our Father” three times, “Virgin Mary” three times and “Creed” once. But at the same time, during the day you need to silently pray to God and the saints. These are the most important rules.

They may not be allowed to receive Communion in such cases, for example:

*murder, abortion; divination, fortune telling, extrasensory perception, spiritualism, astrology;

*other faith, heretical views;

*cohabitation outside of marriage, debauchery, homosexuality, drug addiction and alcoholism, and so on.

During confession, the priest needs to tell the whole truth and not hide any sin. The Lord stands nearby invisibly, He knows everything, He just waits for heartfelt repentance. If you hide anything, it will be an even greater sin. You need to completely cleanse your soul before Communion.

What do the holy fathers and priests say?

The human soul must be pure, bright, with hope for correction and for changing life for the better. You should not go to the Chalice if you are not sure that you want to live with God.

If the priest blessed:

When a priest gives a blessing, you should take it seriously. You should read not only the canon to the Mother of God before Communion, but also the canons to the Savior, Guardian Angel, and also the Follow-up. All this is in the Orthodox prayer books.

The reading volume is very large. Therefore, the canons can be read 2-3 days before communion, but the Consequence is read only the night before, after arriving from the church from the evening service.

You need to make sure that no one distracts you. If you take communion with your family, friends, or pilgrims, then take turns reading and praying.

Morning before Communion:

As Orthodox Christians know, they cannot eat anything in the morning before Communion. You are not even allowed to take medicine.

But is it possible to brush your teeth before Communion?

There is no ban on this. If you are sure that you will not accidentally swallow water or toothpaste, you can brush your teeth.

If your stomach is sick and you can’t wait long until noon, then it’s better to go to early service. IN small towns and in villages the Liturgy is served early, and in megacities - at 7 am or 9-10 am.

For the sake of union with God, one can endure. It is worth reading prayers to yourself.

The morning before Communion is always exciting. You need to prepare yourself mentally. After reading morning rule, go to church at least half an hour before the Liturgy to calmly submit notes, light candles, and approach your favorite saints.

Before Communion itself:

During the service you should listen carefully to prayers. When the priests prepare Communion, pray that you may receive the Blood and Body of Christ with dignity. At the same time, a pious person must sincerely consider himself unworthy of such a Gift.

Remember the Canon to the Mother of God before Communion: we need to pray that the Mother of God will intercede for us sinners. What does the canon of Jesus Christ say? We repent to the Lord of our sins. Remember this when you are waiting for Communion.

The very moment of Communion:

When the Royal Doors open and the priest comes out with the Chalice, you need to bow to the ground. Then stand in line with your arms crossed over your chest. When you approach the Chalice, you need to tell the priest your Orthodox name and open your mouth wide. The communion should be swallowed immediately so that the part does not get stuck in the teeth. Accept the warmth and prosphora. Many people ask: “Can I eat before Communion?” Do you know why the answer is no? Because the Lord must enter the body of a Christian first. After all, God is more important to us, not food.

WHAT TO SAY AT CONFESSION?

Quite often those who decide to go to church for this sacrament for the first time think about what needs to be said in confession.

It is important to understand that confession is not just an intimate conversation with a priest, but religious rite, aimed primarily at repentance.

In confession, complete determination to correct your life is important. Realizing that it has become difficult for you to live because of committing some sin or even several is the first step towards correction. Only after this complete understanding should one sign up for confession.

In some situations, not only repentance after committing a sin can become a reason to go to confession. If it is difficult for you to distinguish good from bad, or life seems useless and painful, you can also come to confession, because the church is always open to those who need it.

What sins to talk about in confession:

One of the main mistakes of people who come to confession is to list all their sins throughout their lives. It is extremely important to highlight exactly what you came for. Sin is an act against the church, God. This is a kind of violation of morality - one's own, someone else's, public. In Christianity, there are eight mortal sins, the commission of which carries serious consequences for a person - anger, sadness, gluttony, fornication, despondency, vanity, pride and love of money. In addition, there are personal sins - these are various actions against conscience and God. As a rule, some sins can only be determined by a person himself; they are not written down in any holy book. A sin can be an action that burdens your life in every possible way.

It doesn't matter what you come to church with. In confession, the main thing is complete repentance and internal understanding of what has been done.

What to say to the priest during confession:

Confession in Orthodoxy, as in most other religions, is a conversation with God about your misdeeds, a request for help. The priest serves only as a witness to this conversation, as an assistant to God on earth.

Therefore, in confession it is important to be extremely frank and not hide anything about what is bothering you. It is especially important to tell what worries you most. this moment, not forgetting about the little things and details of the offense for which you want to repent.

You can trust a priest with your biggest secrets, because he has no right to tell anyone about your confession. Remember that you do not need to be afraid of condemnation from the church; the very fact that you came to repentance is already a worthy act of a believer.

Important to remember What to say in confession about a sin for which you have already confessed is not necessary if it was not committed again. And, often, confession alone will not be enough. You need to ask God in prayers for forgiveness, come to church as soon as you want, and honor traditions and rituals.

The Church advises that confession, like communion, should be regular. Your confessor will be able to tell you about the frequency of confession. Remember that it is the clergyman who will be your main assistant in observing church rituals.

As you can see, confession is a very complex sacrament. Not every person is ready for it. If you decide to confess, then you need to weigh the pros and cons for yourself, and your soul will tell you what to say in confession. Remember that repentance and freeing yourself from committed sin is a long process that will require a lot of strength and patience from you.

Diseases and other troubles do not fall on a person just like that. Man is a cosmic being and develops according to the laws of not only the material, but also the spiritual world. If these laws are violated, illness or some tragic circumstances arise that pose a threat to life.

It is enough to eliminate these violations, and everything in your life will return to normal. This is exactly what internal confession helps to do.

Confession consists of two parts:

Part one: you must remember all the times when someone seriously offended or insulted you. After all, resentment is a source of continuous supply of negative mental energy.

Calmly remember your past life from the age of 12 (it is from this age that a person begins to bear karmic responsibility for his actions). The offender (even if this person has died) must be imagined mentally, and then hugged and kissed tightly!

Sometimes the resentment reaches such strength that it is impossible to hug and kiss, even mentally. In such cases, the “enemy” can be imagined as an unintelligent child of 2-3 years old. But it is necessary to hug and kiss - this is an indispensable condition of the Rescue Mechanism!

Second part: Not only do you have enemies, someone, perhaps, considers you their enemy. It is possible that you yourself were a violator of moral truths.

In this case, imagine that you are in court, and the judge is your own heart. Kneel before him and tell him all your bad deeds, mistakes, vices since the age of 12. Say everything you remember, making sure that you will never do it again.

After all, by repenting, you remove all the negativity that has accumulated over the years. If the internal confession was carried out correctly and sincerely, then recovery and deliverance from troubles will occur in one hundred cases out of a hundred, regardless of the severity of the illness or the scale of the misfortune that has befallen you. It's only a matter of time.

After internal confession, try not to repeat previous mistakes - otherwise misfortune will return in double volume.

A single prayer that can be performed by anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, will help you avoid this. This prayer, as practice shows, can reduce the temperature and relieve any pain in a matter of minutes.

The prayer must be done in solitude, with a lit candle, on your knees:

"God! Dear God!
Hallowed be it Your name in Heaven and on Earth.
From the edge to the edge of the Universe!
God! Strengthen your strength in confronting the forces of darkness, so as not only to resist it, but also to cleanse Mother Earth of this garbage.
Teach us to separate good from evil and to remain in peace and firmness of spirit, in order to worthily do Your Will among people.
Strengthen the strength of my brothers and sisters - both close and unknown to me.
May they see Your true Glory and be filled with love in their hearts.
And they will overcome dark obstacles in moving along the Path to Light.
And let them stretch out their hands to each other and give the immense warmth of their souls.
God! May Your Will be done! And there will be One People on Earth.
Loving his Mother - Nature, reunited with You with his love and walking along the Path of True Spiritual Development, relying on Your Last Testament.”

IN THE MORNING: “Bless, Lord, the deeds of the coming day, and may its difficulties be met as befits those who walk under Your Light.”

IN THE EVENING: “Replenish, Lord, the lost strength for good, in order to prepare for meeting the day of the future.”
“I go to bed, I have the Cross Seal on me. Guardian Angels! Save my Soul from evening until midnight, and from midnight until morning."

And the Lord's Prayer three times.

Prayer is the most powerful force in the Universe! The Bible says:

“Whatever you ask in prayer IN FAITH, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22)

"ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH MAY IT BE TO YOU" (Matt. 9:29).

One of the most important sacraments in Orthodoxy can be called Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ. This is the moment when the believer is united with the Son of God. However, you should know how preparation for communion occurs, especially for those who decide to receive it for the first time (for example, you need to confess, pray, etc.). This is necessary for it to appear the right attitude, awareness of future unity with Christ.

Preparing for confession and communion is not a one-day procedure, so you need to know exactly what to do and when. This is exactly what the article will discuss.

What is the Sacrament of Communion?

Before you figure out where the preparation for communion begins (this is especially important for beginners), you should know what kind of sacrament it is in general. Christ first accepted it and commanded his followers to repeat it. The first communion took place at the Last Supper on the eve of his crucifixion.

Before the sacrament, a divine service is required, which is called Divine Liturgy, or Eucharist, which is translated from Greek as “thanksgiving.” This is exactly the action that Christ performed in the distant past before giving communion to his disciples.

Thus, preparation for communion should include memories of these distant ancient events. All this allows you to tune in to the right mood, which will undoubtedly lead to a deeper acceptance of the Sacrament.

How often should you take communion?

Preparation for communion (especially for those who do it infrequently or for the first time) should include the concept of how many times you can participate in this sacrament. Here you should know that this action is voluntary, so you should in no way force yourself to do it. The main thing is to come to communion with a pure and light heart, when you want to join the Mystery of Christ. Those who are in any doubt should consult a priest.

It is recommended to start communion if you are internally ready for it. That Christian who lives with faith in God can perform this sacrament at every liturgy. If there are still doubts in your heart, but you believe in God and are on this path, then you can receive communion once a week or month. As a last resort during every major post. However, all this should be regular.

It should also be noted that, according to ancient sources, it was advisable to perform communion daily, but it would be good to do it four times a week (Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday). Those who are just embarking on the path of the Christian faith should know that there is one day in the year - Maundy Thursday (before Easter), when communion is simply necessary, this is a tribute ancient tradition, where it all started. It is also written about in the article above.

Some clergy believe that frequent reception of the sacrament is unacceptable. However, it should immediately be said that, according to canonical laws, they are wrong. Here you need to look very deeply into a person and see how much he really needs this action. In addition, communion should not be mechanical. Therefore, if it is performed frequently, then the layman must constantly keep himself in good shape and be ready to accept the Gifts. Not everyone can do this, so what is described in this article about preparation should happen regularly. Constant prayers, confession and observance of all fasts. The priest should know about all this, since such a life cannot really be hidden.

Prayer rule before communion

So, now we will take a more specific look at all the points that need to be taken into account before preparing for the sacrament. First of all, it should be noted that it is very important home prayer before the Sacrament. In the Orthodox Prayer Book there is a special sequence that is read before communion. This is preparation for communion. The prayers that are read before this, not only at home, but also in church, are also included in the preparation for the Sacrament. It is imperative to attend the service immediately before the Sacrament, but in general it is advisable to do this every day.

• prayer canon of the Mother of God;
• penitential canon to Jesus Christ;
• canon to the Guardian Angel.

Thus, conscious preparation for communion and confession, prayers from the heart can help the believer to understand the importance of the Sacrament and spiritually prepare for this miracle.

Fasting before communion

It is equally important to fast before communion. This required condition. After all Holy Communion, preparation for which must take place consciously, is a very important ritual, and it should not be mechanical, otherwise there will be no benefit from it.

So, those believers who regularly observe multi-day and one-day fasts are entitled only to the so-called liturgical fast. Its meaning is not to eat food or drink from twelve o'clock at night before receiving the Sacrament. This fast continues in the morning (i.e., communion occurs on an empty stomach).

For those parishioners who do not observe any fasts, as well as those who have just joined Orthodoxy, the priest can establish a seven-day or three-day fast before communion. All such nuances should be additionally agreed upon in the church and you should not be afraid to ask about them.

How to behave, what thoughts to avoid before the Sacrament

When preparation for communion begins, one must realize one’s sins in full. But in addition to this, to prevent them from becoming more numerous, you need to refrain from various amusements, for example, visiting the theater or watching TV. Spouses must renounce physical contact the day before communion and on the day of taking it.

Particular attention should be paid to your mood, behavior and thoughts. Make sure not to judge anyone, discard obscene and evil thoughts. Don't give in bad mood, irritation. Free time should be spent in solitude, indulging in reading spiritual books or prayer (as far as possible).

It should be noted that the most important thing for accepting the Holy Gifts of Christ is repentance. A person must sincerely repent of his actions. This is exactly what you need to focus your attention on. Fasting, prayer, reading scriptures- these are just means to achieve this state. And we need to remember this.

How to prepare for confession

Confession before communion is very important. Make this request to the priest of the church in which you are going to receive the Sacrament. Preparing for communion and confession is a special mindset aimed at correcting one’s sins, one’s bad behavior and unclean thoughts, as well as keeping track of everything that contradicts and violates the Commandments of the Lord. Everything that was found and consciously should be confessed. But remember to be sincere, do not turn the conversation with the priest into simply a formal listing of sins on a list.

So, why is such serious preparation for confession and communion necessary? You should realize your sins in advance in order to know what to tell the priest about. It often happens that a believer comes, but does not know what to say, where to start. You also need to tune in to the fact that the priest is just a guide; the Sacrament of Repentance remains with him and the Lord. Therefore, there is no need to feel embarrassed when talking about your sins. This is necessary to cleanse yourself and continue living freely.

Confession before communion: awareness of sins

So, the preparation for confession and communion is over. But the hardest part is yet to come. When you come to confession, open your heart without waiting for the priest’s questions. Tell us everything that weighs on your soul. It is better to perform this action in the evening, on the eve of the liturgy, although it would not be a mistake to do it in the morning before it.

If you are going to receive communion for the first time, it is better to confess the day before. This is necessary so that the priest has time to listen to you. If you want to confess in the morning, then choose a day when there are few people. For example, on Sunday there are a lot of parishioners in the church, so the priest will not be able to listen to you in detail. After confessing your sins, you should adhere to the right path and strive with all your might not to commit them in the future, otherwise what was the meaning of this spiritual conversation?

Communion day. What to do?

On the day of communion, you need to follow some rules. As mentioned above, you need to go to the temple on an empty stomach. If you smoke, then you need to abstain from cigarettes until you accept the Gifts of Christ. In church, when the moment comes for them to be taken out, you need to approach the altar, but let the children pass first if they have come, since they receive communion first.

There is no need to be baptized near the Chalice; you just need to bow in advance, crossing your arms over your chest. Before accepting gifts, you need to say your christian name, and then eat them immediately.

What should be done after a person has received communion?

The rules for preparing for communion also include knowledge of what needs to be done after the Sacrament has taken place. Kiss the edge of the Chalice and go to the table with prosphora to eat a piece. Do not leave the church until you kiss the altar cross that the priest will hold.

Also in the temple they read thanksgiving prayers that need to be listened to. As a last resort, you can read them at home yourself. Keep the purity you have received inside your soul. Each time this will happen easier and easier.

What you should know about giving communion to children and the sick

It should be said that young children (up to the age of seven) receive communion without confession. Also, they do not need to prepare the way an adult does (fasting, prayer, repentance). Those infants who have received baptism receive communion on the same day or during the nearest liturgy that follows their baptism.

Exceptions are also made for patients. They don't have to prepare the way they do healthy people, however, if possible, you should at least confess. But if the patient cannot do this, then the priest reads “I believe, Lord, and I confess.” After which he immediately gives communion.

In church practice, parishioners who are temporarily excommunicated from communion, but are on their deathbed or in danger, are not denied the reception of the Holy Gifts. However, upon recovery (if this happens), the ban continues to apply.

Who cannot take communion

Preparation for communion for beginners includes knowing who cannot receive it. This will be discussed below:

• those who have not confessed cannot receive communion (with the exception of children under seven years of age);
• parishioners who have been excommunicated from receiving the Holy Sacraments also cannot receive communion;
• those who are insensible;
• parishioners who are insane and possessed if they blaspheme in their fits (if this does not happen, then you can give communion, but this should not happen every day);
• spouses who had an intimate life on the eve of receiving the Sacraments;
• Women who are menstruating cannot receive communion.

A brief reminder for those taking communion and confessing

So, now let’s summarize all the moments that arise when preparing for confession and communion. The reminder will help you not to forget all the steps.

1. Consciousness of sin.
2. Repentance is perfect, a special state when you have forgiven everyone and do not feel evil.
3. Preparing for confession. Here you need to reconsider what sins there may be: in relation to God, loved ones, to yourself (smoking, for example), carnal sins, those that relate to the family (infidelity and the like).
4. Correct and sincere, without concealment, confession.
5. Post if necessary.
6. Prayers.
7. Direct communion.
8. Further retention of purity and Christ in the body.

Separately, it is necessary to say about how to behave in church during communion.

1. Don't be late for the liturgy.
2. You need to cross yourself when opening the royal doors, then fold your hands crosswise. Approach and move away from the Chalice in the same way.
3. Approach with right side, and the left one should be free. Don't push.
4. Communion should take place in turn: bishop, presbyters, deacons, subdeacons, readers, children, adults.
5. Women are required to come to the temple without lipstick.
6. Before accepting the Gifts of Christ, do not forget to say your name.
7. People do not cross themselves directly before the Chalice.
8. It happens that the Holy Gifts are given from two or more Chalices. In this case, you should choose one, since receiving communion more than once a day is considered a sin.
9. At home, after communion, you need to read prayers of thanksgiving, if you did not listen to them in church.

Now, perhaps, you know all the stages that include communion in church and preparation for it. It is very important to approach this consciously, with deep faith in your heart. The most important thing is repentance for your sins, which must be true, and not just in words. But you shouldn’t stop there either. You need to reject sin from life as something alien, understand that it is impossible to live like this, realize that lightness can only come with purity.

Finally

So, as we see, preparation for communion is a serious stage before the Sacrament itself. All recommendations must be followed in order to come ready to receive the Gifts of Christ. It is necessary to realize in advance the importance of this moment, which is why more diligent prayer is required. Fasting will help a believer cleanse his body, and confession to a priest will help him cleanse his soul. Conscious preparation for communion and confession will help the parishioner understand that this Sacrament is not at all one of the many rites, but something deeper. This is a special communication with the Lord, as a result of which the life of a Christian changes dramatically.

However, it should be taken into account (this is important primarily for those parishioners who have just set out on the path of repentance) that it is impossible to fix everything at once. If you have been building up a sinful burden for decades, then you need to get rid of it gradually. And taking communion is the first step on this path.