The central sacrament of Orthodoxy is communion. For his sake, the Divine Liturgy is performed - the main service of the day. Orthodox believe that participation in this sacrament is a necessary condition for spiritual life. Where such confidence? And why is there so much emphasis on the sacrament when there are six more sacraments? How should one properly approach the sacraments, how should one prepare for confession and communion?
What is this?
Communion is communion with Christ directly. In the sacrament, bread and wine are transubstantiated into the Body and Blood of the Lord, which a person takes, that is, eats, swallows. This, in fact, is the sacrament, but it is necessary to carefully prepare for it.
Is a person ready to meet God at any moment of his life? How will the Lord evaluate his sins, desire for delicious food, or anger towards his neighbors? Analyzing his life and soul, anyone who has the fear of God understands that this meeting needs to be prepared, cleansed.
How to prepare for confession and communion, what should I do?
First of all, you should be distracted from the world and its pleasures, focus on spiritual matters. For thisthose wishing to take communion fast for several days, try not to watch TV or at least turn off entertainment channels. However, the point is not to sit in complete silence or call all the subscribers of the phone book instead of watching dubious programs.
You need to focus on your spiritual state, on your soul, sins. Now there are a lot of books “Preparing for Confession and Communion”, for a start you can buy any of them. There, most likely, the 10 commandments of God will be listed and explanations given of what is meant. It is quite possible that a person will learn a lot about himself and his actions just by reading this brochure.
Confession is a separate sacrament. You also need to know how to properly prepare for confession. First of all, you need to ask your conscience: is there something that weighs. Maybe impatience with children or being rude to your mother? Maybe a lie or an unrighteous acquisition? After studying the commandments of God, it will become clear that a person does not know about all sins. Before you prepare for confession and communion, you should make peace with everyone you offended. Even if the offended person does not agree to go for reconciliation, every effort must be made to achieve mutual peace.
In today's world, even some mortal sins are not considered bad deeds. For example, witchcraft or abortion (killing the child in the womb) were barriers to communion in the past. In the presence of such sins, it is better to confess them separately, and only thenstart preparing for the sacrament.
How to prepare for confession and communion for the first time?
The Church does not require novice, that is, from people who have just come to the temple, strict fasting or many hours of prayer. But it is necessary to impose a feasible post on yourself. Maybe just cut out meat first?
Before you prepare for confession and communion, you need to understand for yourself the essence of these sacraments. If they are approached without faith, it may turn out to be blasphemy. If faith is weak, a priest can be consulted. Before communion, one must come to the evening service, on the day itself - to the morning service - the Liturgy. Communion is administered at the end of this service.
