Holy Communion

In the sacrament of Holy Communion we receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. "If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood you have no life in you.. my flesh is food, indeed, and my blood is drink, indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." (John 6:51-58)

In these words of Jesus we see how important for the life of Christians is the sacrament of Holy Communion. The other sacraments of the church brings us the grace of Christ. By partaking in the sacrament of Holy Communion we become "one" with Christ, we receive Christ in us.

It is a great joy to see an ever growing number of parishioners of St. George Cathedral - from those who come to the liturgy - receive communion at every liturgy, There are, however, many Orthodox Christians who do not come regularly to holy communion and this is:

1. Because of ignorance. They have ignorance of the necessity to receive Holy Communion. They say, " I was taught to receive communion three or tour times a year." This is a remnant of the dark period of the Turkish domination - and is not correct. This dark tradition must be eradicated.
2. Because of False Humility. Many times we hear from the mouths of persons who attend church regularly: "How can I receive communion regularly? I am not worthy. Who an I, to approach the Holy Cup Regularly" It is enough to receive communion on the great holidays - Christmas, Easter, the Fifteenth of August…"

These words do not express true humility. They rather express pseudo-piety. Saying that one is unworthy to receive communion regularly, it is like saying that he is worthy to receive communion Holy a few times a year. We do not receive communion because we are worthy - but rather we receive communion to BECOME worthy.

The early Christians received Communion every day, "…breaking bread from house to house, they are their food with gladness… praising God…" (Acts 2:46-47).

In the history of the church we see that all Christians received communion at every Liturgy. And we quote the 8th and 9th Apostolic Canon, "whoever is not receiving communion let him bring the reason: if the reason is worthy he is forgiven: if the reason is not worthy, he must be excommunicated". (8th Apost. Canon). "All the faithful who enter the church to hear the Bible do not remain to pray and received communion they must be excommunicated." (9th Apost. Canon)

The main reason for the Divine Liturgy is to do the bloodless sacrifice and to partake of Holy Communion. One of the prayers of the Divine Liturgy says, " And count us worthy that Your Sacred Body and Precious Blood may be given us from Your Mighty Hand and through us and to All people".

A faithful Orthodox Christian comes to communion on a regular basis, not because in his conscience he feels he is worthy, but because he has faith. He takes courage from the Great Mercy and compassion of God.

These articles on Holy Communion come from one of the best books on the subject of Holy Communion by Fr. Daniel G. Aerakis, titled When and How to Receive Holy Communion (Athens 1995)