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Preparation for Holy Communion begins days before the liturgy
The speaker explains that preparation for Holy Communion starts days before the Divine Liturgy, not only on Sunday morning. Most people mistakenly think skipping breakfast is sufficient, but the Church requires a broader discipline. Five steps frame this preparation. First, fasting from food and drink on the morning of communion and following the priest's guidance in the days prior, since different traditions observe this differently.
Second, regular confession, especially when something heavy burdens the heart, with the priest or spiritual father determining the frequency. Third, reading the pre-communion prayers from an Orthodox prayer book the night before or in the morning to prepare the heart. Fourth, reconciling with anyone against whom one holds anger, following Christ's command to leave the gift at the altar and be reconciled first.
Fifth, arriving on time for the entire liturgy, because the whole service prepares the faithful to receive Christ himself, not a symbol.
Key moments
- Most people prepare for communion the wrong way by only skipping breakfast on Sunday morning, but preparation starts days before.
- On the morning of communion we do not eat or drink anything from when we wake up, and in the days before we fast as our priests guide us, since different traditions do this differently.
- Go to confession regularly and especially if something heavy is on your heart, with the priest or spiritual father determining the frequency.
- Read the prayers before Holy Communion found in every Orthodox prayer book the night before or in the morning to prepare the heart.
- If there is someone you are angry with, call them and forgive them, because Jesus said to leave your gift at the altar and first be reconciled with your brother.
- Come to the liturgy on time, not at the last minute, because the whole liturgy is the preparation for receiving Christ himself, not a symbol.