Communion - this great sacrament of the Orthodox Church.How important is this rite of Christianity?How to prepare for it?And how often can receive communion?Answers to these questions and many others you will learn from this article.
What is a sacrament?
Eucharist - Communion is, in other words, the most important rite of Christianity, thanks to which the bread and wine are consecrated and served as the Body and Blood of the Lord.Due to the Orthodox communion unites with God.The need of the sacraments in the life of the believer is difficult to overestimate.It occupies the most important, if not central place in the Church.This sacrament is completed and all the prayers, hymns, rituals, bows, preaching the Word of God.
Background Sacraments
If we look at history, the sacrament was established by Jesus at the Last Supper before death on the cross.He gathered his disciples, blessed the bread and broke it, gave to the apostles, saying that it is his body.Then he took the cup of wine and gave it to them, saying that it is his blood.The Savior commanded his disciples always to perform the sacrament of communion in remembrance of Him.And the Orthodox Church follows the commandments of the Lord.The central worship liturgy daily committed Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Church history is known, confirms the importance of communion.In one of the deserts of Egypt, in the ancient city inhabited by many monks diolkos.Presbyter of Ammon, who stood out among all the outstanding holiness, during one of the church services saw an angel, who is making notes near the sacrificial bowl.As it turned out, the angel was recording the names of the monks present at the service, and the names of those who were absent for the Eucharist, he crossed out.Three days later, all of those who struck angel died.Is untrue story?Perhaps a lot of people die prematurely precisely because of its unwillingness to make communion?Even the Apostle Paul said that many people are sick, weak due to an unworthy Communion.
Necessity of Holy Communion
Communion - a necessary rite for the faithful.Christian neglects Communion voluntarily turn away from Jesus.Thus depriving themselves of the opportunity of eternal life.Regular communicant, by contrast, is united with God, strengthened in the faith, made partakers of eternal life.It can be concluded that churched person Communion - this is certainly an important event in his life.
times since the adoption of the Holy Mysteries recede even serious illness, increases the power of the will, the spirit is strengthened.The believer becomes easier to deal with their passions.But it is necessary to depart from Communion for a long time, as in life, everything starts to go wrong.Go back ailments begin to torment the soul seemed retreated passion, there is irritability.And this is not a complete list.It follows that a believer, church-going is trying to take communion at least once a month.
Preparation for Holy Communion
the sacrament of Holy Communion must be properly prepared, namely:
• Prayer.Before Communion is necessary to pray more and harder.Do not miss a few days of prayer rule.To him, by the way, it added a rule to the Holy Communion.There is also a pious tradition to read the Canon before Communion: the canon of repentance to the Lord Prayer Canon to the Most Holy Mother of God, canon to the Guardian Angel.On the eve of a visit the evening service of Holy Communion.
• Post.He must not only be carnal, but spiritual.We must come to terms with all of whom were in the litter, pray more, read the Word of God, to refrain from watching and listening to the entertainment of secular music.Spouses need to give up the bodily caresses.Strict fasting begins on the eve of Holy Communion, with 12 o'clock at night do not eat or drink.However, confessor (priest) may establish additional post 3-7 days.This post is usually prescribed to beginners and those who do not comply with one or more days posts.
• Confession.You must confess your sins of priests.
Penance (Confession)
Confession and Communion are playing an important role in the accomplishment of the Sacraments.Communion is an indispensable condition for the recognition of its absolute sinfulness.It should enlighten their sin and repent sincerely in it with the conviction never see him perform.The believer should realize that sin is incompatible with Christ.Commit a sin, a man like Jesus said that His death was in vain.Of course, this is possible only through faith.Because it is faith in the Holy One of God illuminates the dark stain of sin.Before repentance should be reconciled with the offender and victim, read the canon of repentance to the Lord, pray harder, if necessary, to take the post.The sins for their own convenience, better to write on paper, that during confession not to forget anything.On especially heavy sins that torment the conscience, I must say the priest stated.Also, the believer must be remembered that the priest opened his sins, he is, first of all, opens them to God, because God is invisibly present in the confessional.Therefore, in no case can not hold back any transgressions.Father is holding sacred the secrecy of confession.Generally, as a confession and communion - a separate ordinance.However, they are closely linked because, not having received the remission of their sins, a Christian can not proceed to the Holy Chalice.
There are times when a seriously ill sincerely repent of our sins, gives promise to regularly go to church, if only there was healing.The priest absolves allows communion.Lord grant healing.But the man and then not fulfilling its promise.Why is this happening?Perhaps human weakness soul does not transcend themselves through their pride.After lying on your deathbed, you can just promise anything.But in any case we must not forget about the promises given by the Lord Himself.
Communion.Terms
The Russian Orthodox Church, there are rules to be followed to approach the Holy Chalice.First, you need to come to the temple to worship the beginning, not being late.Before the Cup is prostration.If many who want to partake, you can advance to worship.When the gates open, it should be crossed himself: his hands to put on chest a cross right on top of the left.Thus communion, to depart without taking hands.Approach from the right side, and left free to leave.Ministers of the altar must first communion, then the monks, after their children, and then everything else.It is necessary to be polite to each other, skip forward elderly and infirm people.Women can not begin to communion with lipstick.The head should be covered with a handkerchief.No caps, bandage, namely handkerchief.In general, the dress in the temple of God, always sedately, not defiant and not vulgar, not to attract attention and distract the other believers.
approached the Chalice, you must call loud and clear his name, take chewed and immediately swallowed the Blessed Sacrament.Attached to the lower edge of the bowl.It is forbidden to touch the Cup.You also can not make the sign of the Cross near the Chalice.At the table with zapivkoy, you need to eat and drink antidoron heat.Only then can talk and kiss icons.You can not receive communion twice a day.
House must read prayers of thanksgiving for Communion.The texts can be found in prayers.If you have any question, what kind of prayers read, it is necessary to clarify this point, the clergy.
Communion patients
At the First Ecumenical Council was determined to seriously ill people are not deprived of communion.If a person is unable to take communion in the Church, it is easy to solve, because the Church allows communion patients at home.
priest ready at any time to come to the patient, in addition to the time of the Cherubic Hymn to the end of the liturgy.At any other service the priest is obliged to stop the service for the sake of suffering and hasten to him.The church at that time read psalms for the edification of believers.
allowed to admit patients to take Holy Communion without any preparation, prayer and fasting.But to confess the sins they still need.Also allowed to administer the sacrament of seriously ill after eating a meal.
often miracles happen when a seemingly incurable people after Communion rose to his feet.Priests often go to the hospital to support seriously ill, take confession, communion blocked.But many refuse.Some because of disgust, others do not want to self-fulfilling prophecy in the House.However, those who did not succumb to doubt and superstition, may be granted a miraculous healing.
Communion children
When a child meets God - this is a very important event in the life of the offspring and their parents.Communion at an early age is still recommended because the baby gets used to the Church.It is necessary to administer the sacrament of the child.With faith.Regularly.It plays an important role in his spiritual development, and the Sacraments are beneficial to the well-being and health.And sometimes even serious diseases recede.So how do you administer the sacrament to be children?Children up to seven years before the Eucharist is not particularly prepared and not confess, because they can not understand the following of to Communion.
They also partake of only the blood (wine), since babies can not eat solid food.If the child is able to eat solid food, it can also partake of the Body (bread).Children who are baptized, receive the Holy Gifts on the same day or the next day.
After the Blessed Sacrament
day when accomplished Sacrament of Holy Communion - this is certainly a momentous time for every believer.And it needs to hold otherwise, as the great celebration of the soul and spirit.During the sacrament received the grace of God, which should be kept in awe and try not to sin.If possible, it is best to refrain from worldly affairs and spend the day in silence, rest and prayer.Pay attention to the spiritual side of his life, to pray, read the Word of God.These prayers after communion are important - they are joyful and energetic.They are also able to multiply thanks to the Lord, is born in molivshemsya desire to commune more often.It not accepted after the communion of the church was up to his knees.The exceptions are the worship of the Shroud and kneeling prayer on the day of St. Trinity.There unfounded argument that allegedly after Communion is forbidden kiss the icons and kissing.However, the clergy themselves after the adoption of the Holy Mysteries are blessed from the bishop, kissing her hand.
How often can receive communion?
every believer interested in the question of how often you can make the communion of the church.And no single answer to this question does not exist.Someone thinks that it is not necessary to abuse the Communion, while others, on the contrary, it is recommended to start to take the Blessed Sacrament as often as possible, but not more than once a day.As the Fathers of the Church say to that?John of Kronstadt called to remember the practice of the early Christians, who were made to excommunicate those who did not take communion more than three weeks.Seraphim of Sarov willed sisters of Diveevo communion as often as possible.And for those who consider themselves unworthy Communion, but has a heart of repentance, in any case not to abandon the decision of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.Because, dock, cleaned and lighter, and the more will receive communion, the greater the chance of rescue.
very supportive communion in the name day and birthday, the anniversary of their spouses.
At the same time, how to explain the eternal debate about how often you can receive communion?It argued that the monks and ordinary laymen can not receive communion once a month.Once a week - it is a sin, so-called "charm", coming from the evil one.Is it true?The priest Daniil Sysoev in his book gave a detailed explanation.He argues that the number of people who take communion more than once a month, is negligible, it is church-going person, or those who have a spiritual guide on themselves.Many priests agree that if a person is at heart ready for this, you may receive communion at least every day, nothing wrong with that.All sin is that if a person without proper penance suitable to the bowl, not to prepare for it properly, not simply of their abusers.
course, everyone decides for himself with his spiritual father, how often he begin the Holy Chalice.It depends primarily on the readiness of the soul, love of God and power of repentance.In any case, for the churched, righteous life is communion at least once a month.Someone from the Christian priest blesses the communion and more.Instead of an epilogue
There are many books, manuals and simple tips on how to take communion, rules for the preparation of body and soul.This information may be somewhat different, it may be determined by a variety of approaches to the frequency and severity of communion in the preparation, but such information exists.And it is plentiful.However, you will not find the literature that teaches a person how to behave after the adoption of the Holy Mysteries, how to keep this gift and how to use it.As worldly and spiritual experience shows that much easier to take than to keep.And it's really true.Andrey Tkachev, archpriest of the Orthodox Church, said that the inept use of the Blessed Sacrament may become a curse for a man to accept them.He sets an example in the history of Israel.On one side stands a huge number of accomplished miracles, great relationship with the people of God, His protection.The other side of the coin are the severe punishment and even executions of people who behave after Communion unworthily.And the apostles said about diseases communicants who behave inappropriately.Therefore, compliance with the rules after Holy Communion is extremely important for humans.
