How to Receive Communion in the Orthodox Church
Orthodox Christians believe that the bread and wine consecrated during Communion transforms into the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. Here's how to properly receive Communion in the Orthodox Church.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
-
-
1
Approach the priest to receive Communion only if you are a baptized Orthodox Christian. The Orthodox church does not allow Christians baptized in other denominations to receive Communion.
-
2
Ask a priest about converting to Orthodoxy if you want to receive Communion in the church and actively participate in parish life. To convert, you must become a catechumen and attend classes on church history, dogma and theology. You will learn the significance of the sacrament of the Eucharist and how to properly participate.
-
3
Confess your sins to a priest or bishop. After your confession, the priest will instruct you about prayer and repentance. A priest can temporarily restrain a communicant from the chalice, in essence suspending Communion privileges. This is not meant as a punishment, but as an opportunity for one to reflect on sinful behavior and make necessary life changes.
-
4
Fast before receiving Communion. You must refrain from eating or drinking Sunday morning before participating in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Orthodox theology asserts that Communion is the body and blood of Christ, so your body must be cleansed before receiving the elements.
-
5
Involvement in your church community, frequent participation in the Divine Liturgy and mindful prayer will prepare your body and mind to receive Communion. If you can attend church only once a year to receive Communion, choose Lent when the church mourns the death of Christ.
-
6
Approach the priest during the sacrament of the Eucharist to receive communion. Remain standing, lean your head back and open your mouth. The priest will use a spoon to retrieve a piece of wine-soaked bread from the chalice. He will drop the bread and wine into your mouth without touching you with the spoon.
-
7
Swallow the bread and wine and return to your pew or standing position in the sanctuary. Engage in silent prayer until all other communicants have received Communion.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you are an Orthodox Christian who is moving or traveling, ask a priest or bishop to write a letter verifying your baptism in the Orthodox Church. This document will ensure that you can receive Communion in other churches.
If you can't receive Communion in the Orthodox Church, you can receive bread after the Communion sacrament. This bread, called Antidoron, is blessed by the priest and available to every attendee.
