Many people try to join the life of a true Christian, but they do not always have knowledge about how to fast before confession and communion. But it is precisely the sacrament that is the long-awaited grace from God himself, which enables a mere mortal to draw close to Jesus the Savior. And if you have certain knowledge and understand how the sacrament takes place, it will turn out to spend time correctly during cooking. As soon as the fasting person is completely cleansed of his bad thoughts and sinful actions, he can receive a lot from God, because His gifts are numerous and beautiful.
What is a post?
Communion is the transition of the life of a simple person to the life of a Christian who desires the acceptance of God's grace. Therefore, the question is often asked in the church about what fasting is and how to fast before confession and communion. It is known that during the sacrament, believers take some food. So, first of all, this is the wine that symbolizes the Blood of Christ. She is certainly Holy, therefore she perfectly cleanses the human soul, body and spirit. A person also takes a piece of prosphora.
Communion is considered a sacrament for the human soul. The Christian himself is responsible for how the sacrament takes place, how he accepts it. And for this it is necessary to be alone with yourself, to reflect on your life. But if you do not take the sacrament, then there will be no blessing from God.
In order to prevent such a misfortune, so that the sacrament will be successful, you must not only confess your sins, but also observe fasting.
How to fast?
How to fast before confession and communion? First of all, this is the time that is given to a person to pacify his flesh, to cleanse him of emotional attachments and habits that harm him. It is fasting that allows people to spiritually become closer to the Creator. Fasting gives a person time to reflect on the sacrifice of Christ; this is the time when a believer should indulge in prayers. When a believer prepares for communion, he usually needs to analyze his whole life and understand what sins he needs to repent of.
A person during fasting should avoid satiety and do not drink alcohol. Thus, putting his food in a certain framework, the Christian, first of all, tames his body, his morals and emotions. But fasting is not only about food, but also about behavior and thoughts. So, if during fasting a person will constantly talk on the phone, gossip, spend time on social networks, then it is worth remembering that God at this moment sees the soul, and fasting, first of all, concerns it.
Therefore, in order not to wonder how to fast before confession and communion, it is worth remembering that you need to behave in such a way as to approach God, and not to distance yourself from Him.
A bit of history
Knowing how to fast before confession and communion, believers want to know what the history of fasting is. It is known that after Jesus ascended, the first Christians communed every day. But the fact that you need to be cleansed spiritually and physically, then no one even thought.
During the time of the apostles, the Eucharist of the sacrament was usually performed only in the evening, but over time this procedure was postponed in the morning, so that Christians could early receive the Lord’s food, which will be a cleansing for both the body and the spirit.
The first mention of fasting occurs in the fourth century. At the same time, some basic laws appeared on how to fast before confession and communion. At this time, the priests noticed that the laity cooled to faith. They began to urge the Orthodox to refrain from sexual pleasures and other entertainments. But at this time, nothing was said about the restriction in food.
Early Christians eventually fasted three times a week. Days were set by the church. But already at the beginning of the ninth century, new rules appeared on how to fast before confession and communion. Abstinence from food began to take from three to seven days. Such an innovation was introduced due to the fact that spiritual life was gradually disappearing. But, according to Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, there is no single and definite requirement for a three-day post. Each person can independently determine how many days to fast before communion and confession is for him, so that his body becomes cleaner before the Lord. It’s better to resolve this issue with your spiritual mentor.
Preparing for the sacrament
Since there is no certain number of days, how much you need to fast before confession and communion, then, accordingly, you can listen to the wishes. And the church is recommended to abstain for at least three days. But this wish is suitable for those believers who participate in the Eucharist several times a year, for example, two or three. It is known that there are four posts, and there are no additional requirements.
Priests recommend everyone to receive communion every Sunday. This will allow you to keep your body and soul clean and, most importantly, in holiness. In food it is better to stick to temperance on Wednesdays and Fridays.
What is forbidden to eat for those who fast?
Do not worry about how much you need to fast before communion and confession, but it is better to know that there are products that the church forbade Orthodox parishioners to eat during this period. So, these are eggs, meat products, some types of fish and dairy products. It is believed that during fasting, you should not eat food for your own pleasure, but in order to maintain their health.
If fish is considered a staple food for someone, then you can eat it. During the day before communion, a believer is obliged to completely abandon food and any entertainment. This day must be spent in prayers. In the evening you need to go to the church service, in the morning for the liturgy. It is worth considering that the sinner was perfect, and you must tell the priest about this in order to decide whether it is possible to hold the sacrament.
How many days does the post last?
It is known that each post will take a different number of days. Everything will depend on many reasons. First of all, a believer should know that there are one-day fasts, multi-day and liturgical. Another reason for choosing how many days the post will last is its choice.
How much to fast before confession and communion depends on the person himself, on the state of his health, his age, what diseases he is sick or already had, and what is the state of the body at the time of fasting, for example, whether there is a pregnancy.
The choice of products that can be consumed during this period will depend on these features. After all, even during a period of complete abstinence, vitamins must enter the human body.
Post for pregnant
Is it obligatory to fast before confession and communion to a woman who is about to become a mother? It is known that the expectant mother should eat well, so each pregnant woman, with the permission of the doctor, makes a decision on abstinence. If she wants to fast, then fasting should not be so strict. For example, she may refuse to eat meat products. It is better for such a woman in a position to nevertheless undergo a spiritual cleansing, as this will be useful for her child.
Post for children
The debate about whether children need to fast is not silent now. For example, if a child is already seven years old, then after explaining what fasting is, he himself can decide whether he will do it. But still, even with such children, preparatory work must be carried out, as they do not always immediately understand the meaning of abstinence. So, you need to explain to the child that fasting has nothing to do with diets, that he should not be shy. Do not demand from the child more than what he is capable of.
Fasting prayer
The believer must not only know how to fast before confession and communion, but also be able to pray. And for this, the following prayer is perfect: “Have mercy and forgive me. I am sinful. Our Lord, have mercy! ”
Strict Lent Rules
It is believed that before communion, fasting should be at least three days. The person who decided to participate in the Eucharist and decided to abstain from food should understand that this does not need to be boasted. Restriction on food is necessary in order to reconcile a person with himself, as well as with people around him. This is the time to sort out your conflicts and come to terms with everyone.
On such days, it’s better not to watch TV, but to be alone with a book, visit a temple or chat with relatives and friends. At this time, you can’t do bad things, be angry. Strict fasting allows you to achieve harmony between the spiritual and physical health of a person. As a result of such strict fasting, a person becomes more confident; in him there is vivacity and strength that previously dozed.
Fasting Menu
Any post usually consists of easy and difficult days. The most difficult is when you can only use a dry diet and water. There are days when you can eat hot food with or without oil. You should always eat fruits in fasting, but vegetables can be both fresh and baked.
Cereals and honey will also be useful products for the human body during fasting. You need to drink a lot of water, and when there is a desire to eat something, you need to either pray or visit a temple. It is believed that the first day of fasting is the hardest, therefore, it is recommended to refrain from taking any food at all. It is allowed to eat nuts, jelly, legumes and even marmalade.
After fasting, nutrition should also be carefully considered, since many meat products cannot be consumed at once. This can lead to severe gastrointestinal upset. It is better to leave the post gradually, eating the food that will be easily absorbed by the stomach.
Special categories of believers
Communion is such a great power that grants the healing and forgiveness of sins. The man after him is joyful and feels free. All Orthodox people are allowed to such a church procedure, regardless of age. It is good if the children begin to understand such a sacrament early, and for this they should have an example of their parents. But the post for them should be softer. For pregnant women, children and sick people, there should not be dry days in fasting. A spiritual mentor will help this category of believers make proper nutrition.
Currently, the culinary field has become so developed that even with a small amount of products you can cook healthy dishes that will not harm children, patients and pregnant women.
Such a special category of believers includes those people who, due to the current situation, cannot be at home. For example, these are places of imprisonment, the army and boarding schools. All of them are supplied with special nutrition, which they cannot control. The Church is gracious to them. Such people are usually advised to temporarily abandon the patient and strengthen their prayer.
If a person is seriously ill or dies, then he can be admitted to communion without any preparation. Fasting will help everyone to approach the Savior and hope for eternal life.