Why do people receive communion? What is communion in general? Do you want to know? Nowadays, for many people, sometimes even believing people, Christians, those who wear a cross and attend church on certain occasions for certain occasions, the sacrament of holy communion remains a mystery. Are you one of them? Then now we will try to understand what this sacrament gives the Christian and why it is such. And also talk about how to prepare for the sacrament. But that is not all. We will talk about the canons for holy communion. From the article you will learn about how confession goes. Without it, a person is not allowed to participate in the sacrament. So, read carefully and remember what is written below. This article will help all those who want to truly join the church.
Communion, Communion, Eucharist ... How right?
In Orthodoxy, as well as among Catholics, the term “Eucharist” is used, which is translated from Greek as “thanksgiving”. In the Russian Orthodox Church, the name "holy communion" or "holy communion" is more common among parishioners. You can say so and so, there will be no mistake. This rite is called the sacrament because, when it is performed, Christians partake of the Body and Blood of the Savior Jesus Christ and unite with God, becoming involved in Him. It is very important for every believer.
Communion is a sacrament
According to the Church, the Eucharist is one of the Christian sacraments, because, like the rest of the sacraments, it was established by Jesus Christ himself and has a divine origin. Unlike other church rites, the sacrament is aimed at changing the inner life of a person, and not the external. It is recognized by all Christian churches. Communion is one of the seven sacraments among the Orthodox and Catholics, as well as one of two among the Protestants.
Establishment of the sacrament of holy communion
Recall the Bible. The sacrament of communion was established by the Lord Jesus Christ himself at the Last Supper. This was the last meal of the Lord with His disciples before He was taken into custody that Easter night after the betrayal of Judah. It was at this meal that Jesus, taking bread and blessing it, said to his disciples: “Accept and eat, this is my Body, which I give for this world, and taking a cup of wine and blessing, he said:“ Drink, this is Blood mine, spilled for many. "
Why do we need communion?
According to the teachings of the Church, a Christian, partaking of the holy mysteries of Christ, mysteriously unites with Him. The Eucharist mystically inflames the love of Christ in us, gives birth to benefactors, gives us the strength to resist temptations, as well as everything emanating from an evil spirit; Communion heals the soul and body. If we do not do this, then even the kindest deeds and spiritual deeds may not help us inherit His kingdom.
How often do you need to receive communion?
Let's plunge into the story. The first Christians communed daily. Since then, of course, much has changed. And nowadays you can take communion at least every week, if you lead an appropriate strict lifestyle. Have only good thoughts and do good deeds. And also observe the rule for holy communion: invariably fast before communion. If this does not work out, then it is advisable to partake at least during fasting, this is a minimum. Now most of the priests recommend doing this as often as possible, because in our time there are too many temptations for a person who, without accepting the holy Mysteries of Christ, a person can often not endure. In addition, the Christian must always be ready for death and communion. No way without it. It is very good when a person takes communion on his birthday, on the day of his name day. It is worth considering this. For spouses it would be nice to take communion on the day of their marriage. Before the wedding. It is also advisable to take communion in the days of memory of the deceased relatives and friends, this contributes to the unity in Christ of the living and those who have left this world. In general, a Christian often determines for himself when he needs to confess and partake, or he needs to consult with his confessor, who will be able to tell what to do right.
The sacrament of communion is preceded by repentance
With the rare exception of individual cases, the sacrament of the Eucharist is preceded by another sacrament - confession. This is a required rite. Repentance is a sacrament during which a Christian repents of his sins and, with a visible expression of forgiveness from a priest, invisibly gets rid of sins by Jesus Christ himself. A Christian who is going to repentance, first fasts for at least three days, attends church services, remembers his sins and, repenting of them, asks the Lord to forgive them. Then, at a certain time, he goes to the priest, who confesses before the lectern with the cross and the gospel lying on it, and brings repentance. The priest covers the head of the penitent with the end of the epitrahil and reads a special permissive prayer, forgiving sins in the name of the Lord. And only after confession is a Christian allowed to participate in the sacrament. Such rules. These are penitential canons for holy communion.
Preparation for Holy Communion
Anyone who wishes to partake of the holy mysteries of Christ according to all the rules should adequately prepare himself for the performance of this sacrament. Find out how. Preparation for the sacrament should last at least three days. Fasting in the process should concern not only abstinence from certain foods, but, first of all, it should affect the general aspects of the bodily and spiritual life of a person. The body these days needs abstinence, bodily purity, and, of course, restriction in food. The mind should be focused on preparing for the sacrament and repentance, and not on everyday trifles and fun. If possible, you should also attend church services and especially carefully follow the house of prayer rules. On the eve of his communion, the Christian is strongly advised to attend the evening service. In addition to the usual prayers before bedtime, you need to read the rule for holy communion. Usually it includes canons combined for holy communion, and also, if possible, an akathist to Jesus the Sweetest; besides them, the canon of following to Holy Communion is also read: special in the evening, and the rest after the morning prayers. After midnight, you are not allowed to eat food and drink, because you should proceed to the Holy Chalice on an empty stomach. And - it is very important - as we spoke above, before the sacrament itself it is necessary to confess. Women should also remember that one cannot partake of the days of monthly cleansing. Rules must be observed. And women after childbirth are allowed to participate in the sacrament only after reading the cleansing prayer of the fortieth day over them.
Canons combined to holy communion
The combined contains three canons for holy communion: the Penitential canon to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prayer canon to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Canon to the guardian angel. The whole combined canon is eight songs and three additional prayers.
The first, third, fourth, fifth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth songs; then follow: prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ, prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary and prayer to the guardian angel. Now you know 3 canons for holy communion.
Following to Holy Communion
Prayer follow-up to holy communion should be read the night before communion. In the morning, some prayers are also read.
The canons for holy communion consist of: songs of the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth; then follow: kondak, voice 2, song of the seventh, song of the eighth, song of the ninth, prayer to the Holy Trinity, prayer of the Lord and troparia of the day or holiday.
How should you behave near the Holy Chalice?
You need to know how to approach the Holy Chalice so that the sacrament takes place without fuss. One of the main rules: when the king’s gates open , the participant must cross himself, and also lay his hands on his chest in the shape of a cross; it is necessary to depart from it in the same way, without unclenching your hands. Remember! Approach the bowl should be on the right side of the temple. The first according to the rules are the ministers of the altar, then the monks, after them the children, and then everyone else. Women let men go forward. Do not forget about it. Approaching the Chalice, you need to clearly state your name, and then accept the Holy Gifts. They should be chewed and swallowed immediately. It is forbidden to touch the Chalice with your hands, to be baptized near it, because, raising your hand to perform the sign of the Cross, you can accidentally push the church minister. Going to the table with a drink, you need to eat the filed antidor (part of the prosphora) and drink it. Only then can you reapply to the icons. You can’t take communion more than once a day. Immediately on the day of holy communion is not allowed to kneel. Exceptions are bowing to Lent, and also on Great Saturday before the Savior of Christ.
Prayers after Communion
After you have received the holy mysteries of Christ, you should read prayers of thanks in the temple or at home yourself. You should start with the triple "Glory to Thee, God." This is a prayer canon for holy communion.
In general, after the Christian partakes of communion, he should remain in the temple, not go anywhere and continue to perform prayers together with everyone until the service is over. Do not leave the church before. After the dismissal (these are the final words), all the participants participate in the Cross to listen to prayers of thanks. At the end of the reading, the participants parted and age as long as possible to preserve the purity of the soul, which is now free from sins, without going into empty and unnecessary conversations and obviously not useful things for the soul and mind. It is advisable to try to spend the remaining time of the day as devoutly as possible: you should not talk too much in vain, abstinence from smoking and marital intimacy are welcome, you do not need to watch entertaining TV shows, as well as listen to funny music.
How is it necessary to partake of the sick?
Communion of the sick is a special type of Eucharist, for people who, because of their serious illness, cannot attend the liturgy in the church and participate in the sacrament of communion directly there. From its inception, the Church, knowing the sacrament of the Eucharist as the best medicine for the soul and body, sent the Sacred Gifts to the sick at home. Very often the Church does the same in our day. For the sacrament of the sick, the priest is called to the house. The communion of patients itself has its own order. The priest takes part of the Holy Gifts, puts it in a special vessel - chalice, and pours so much wine that the patient is comfortable. Additionally read “Come, worship ...” (3 times), the article of faith and all prayers for the sacrament. Immediately before the sacrament, the patient also confesses.
A few words in the end ...
Now you know what the sacrament of communion is. Remember that this is a very important rite for a believer, so you need to carefully prepare for it both mentally and physically. We hope that this article has provided you with comprehensive information and answers to all questions about confession, as well as about the canons for holy communion. All this will certainly come in handy. You can also talk about communion with your loved ones.
Good luck in all your affairs! God save you and your loved ones from all evil! Do not forget that only by performing church rites can you become closer to God and receive his blessing!