Communion in the Church: How to Prepare for the Rite

The content of the article

• What is communion
• The sacrament of communion
• Why holy communion is necessary
• How to Communion in the Church
• Rite of Communion
• How is the communion of children
• How is the communion of patients
• How often can the sacrament ceremony be held?

One of the main sacred rites of the Orthodox Church is the communion of the believer. The sacrament of the Eucharist, performed sincerely, at the call of the soul, is of great importance to the Christian. Passing a priesthood with an understanding of the essence and importance of the ritual leads to sincere repentance, receiving forgiveness, spiritual cleansing.

What is communion

Belonging to a religious denomination implies the observance of traditions. What is the Eucharist? The most important religious ceremony involves receiving from the hands of the clergyman and subsequent tasting of bread and wine, symbolizing the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ. The sacrament includes prayers, obeisances, chants, sermons. Communion in the temple introduces a person to God, strengthens a spiritual connection with the Higher powers. To carry out the rite in the church requires the purity of the believer, both physical and mental. Confession and preparation should precede communion.

The sacrament of communion

The rite originates from the Last Supper, which preceded the crucifixion of Christ. Having gathered with the disciples at the table, the Savior took the bread, divided it into parts and distributed it with the words that it was His Flesh. Then Christ blessed the cup of wine, naming its contents his Blood. The Savior bequeathed to the followers to always perform a ceremony in memory of Him. This custom follows the Russian Orthodox Church, in which the rite of the Eucharist is held daily. In pre-Petrine times, there was a decree according to which all laity were obliged to receive communion in the church at least once a year..

Why holy communion is necessary

The sacrament of communion is of great importance for a believer. A layman who does not want to perform the rite of the Eucharist, is estranged from Jesus, who commanded to abide by tradition. Disruption of connection with God leads to confusion, fear in the soul. A person whose communion in the church takes place regularly, on the contrary, is strengthened in the religious faith, becomes more peaceful, closer to the Lord.

How to Communion in the Church

The Eucharist is the first step a person takes towards God. This act must be conscious, voluntary. To confirm the purity of his intention, a layman should prepare for communion in the church. First you need to apologize to those who may be offended by you. For several days before the rite, an adult needs to:

• Observe fasting, refusing to eat meat dishes, eggs, dairy products. Food restrictions apply for a period of one to three days – depending on physical condition.
• Abandon the habit of “eating” yourself and others. Internal aggression should be minimized. You need to behave in a friendly manner to others, selfless help to others is useful.
• Exclude profanity, tobacco, alcohol, intimacy from everyday life.
• Do not attend entertainment, do not watch entertainment TV shows.
• Read evening, morning prayers.
• Attend Liturgy, listen to sermons. It is especially recommended to attend the evening service on the eve of Communion Day, read the Following.
• Study spiritual literature, read the Bible.
• Confess on the eve of the sacrament in the church. This requires an understanding of life, events, and actions. Sincere confession is needed not only as preparation for communion. Repentance makes a believer cleaner, gives a feeling of lightness, freedom.

Rite of Communion

On the day of the ceremony, you need to skip breakfast and arrive at the temple early, feel the atmosphere of the place, get ready, tune in the right way. What is communion in the church? The sacrament begins during the service, closer to its end. The Royal Doors open, and a relic is brought to visitors – a bowl with consecrated gifts – Cahors and bread. Foods are symbols of the Savior’s Flesh and Blood. The bowl is set on a special platform called the pulpit. Priest reads thanksgiving prayer for communion.

How to partake of the church? Each parishioner who comes to the cup, the clergyman gives to taste the food from a spoon. You need to come closer, fold your arms in a cross over your chest, and give your name. Then you should kiss the base of the bowl. You can leave the temple after the end of the service. Before leaving, you need to kiss the cross. The ritual, done sincerely and with all my heart, brings the believer closer to Christ, gives the soul happiness, salvation. It is important to keep holy grace in the heart after the sacrament, not to lose it outside the church.

How is the communion of children

Communion of a child is important for his spiritual maturation. The ritual is necessary for the baby to be under the care of a guardian angel, in whose honor he was baptized. The first communion in the church takes place after baptism. Children under seven are not required to confess the day before. It doesn’t matter how often the baby’s parents take communion in the church and whether they do it at all.

An important rule of childhood communion in the church is to conduct the rite on an empty stomach. It is allowed to have breakfast for a very small child. It is better to feed the baby at least half an hour before the rite so that he does not burp. After three years, children should preferably be brought to church on an empty stomach, but there is no strict rule. It is important that the child gradually gets used to the restrictions during preparation. For example, you can remove games, cartoons, meat, something very tasty. Prayer rules not required by children.

With infants, you can come to the sacrament itself. With older children, you are allowed to arrive early, depending on how long the child can stand in the temple. Children often lack patience, on the contrary they have a lot of energy. This must be understood and not make the baby stand in one place, instilling a dislike for the rite. During the sacrament, an adult pronounces the name for the young child. When the baby grows up, he must name himself.

How is the communion of patients

If a person for health reasons is not able to listen to the liturgy, take communion in the walls of the church, this can be easily solved by performing a ceremony at home. Serious patients are admitted by the canons of Orthodoxy to the procedure. It is not necessary to read prayers and fast. However, confession with repentance for sins is necessary. Patients are allowed to receive communion after eating. Priests often visit hospitals to practice and partake of people.

How often can the sacrament ceremony be held?

The rite must be performed when the soul desires it, when there is an inner need. The number of sacraments is not regulated by representatives of the Patriarchate. Most believers receive communion once or twice a month. The ceremony is necessary for special occasions – at weddings, baptisms, on name days, during the great holidays. The only limitation is the ban on the sacrament more than once a day. Holy gifts are served from two church vessels, you need to try only from one.