Communion
Communion is a great sacrament. In it, believers receive during the Holy Liturgy, the bread transformed into the Body of Christ and the wine - into the true Blood of Christ the Savior. In this way, believers unite themselves most fully and inseparably with Christ - the source of eternal life, for the forgiveness of sins and the receipt of eternal life. Jesus Christ himself says: "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you will not have life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will resurrect him on the last day"
Children up to 7 years old receive communion without fasting, confession and prayers. Adults after a blessing from the priest.
How to prepare:
1. Blessing/Confession to the priest
2. Fasting the morning before communion
3. Reciting pre-communion prayers
What to do:
1. To attend the Holy Liturgy
2. To approach with faith, love and fear of God
3. To recite the post-communion prayers
How to pray
Prayer before receiving communion
Lord, Jesus Christ my God, forgive the faults and sins which I, Your unworthy servant have committed from my youth to this day and hour, whether knowingly or in ignorance, whether by words, deeds, intentions or thoughts and whether by habit or through any of my senses. By the prayers of Your pure and Virgin Mother, make me worthy without condemnation to receive Your precious, immortal and life-giving Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. May the Eucharist sanctify, enlighten, strengthen and heal my soul and body and thus destroy my evil thoughts, intentions and prejudices. For Yours, Christ our God, is the Kingdom, the power, the glory, the honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer after communion
Lord Christ our God, King of the ages and Creator of all, I thank Thee for all the blessings Thou hast granted me and for the communion of Thy pure and life-giving Mysteries. I pray Thee, therefore, good Lord and Lover of men, guard me under Thy protection and within the shadow of Thy wings; and grant me with a clear conscience till my last breath worthily to partake of Thy holy Things for forgiveness of sins and for life eternal. For Thou art the Bread of Life, the Source of Holiness, the Giver of all that is good, and to Thee we send up the glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.