Preparation for the Holy Communion

The first prayer of preparation for the Holy Communion ('Unto Thee we entrust (...)') is an outline of the theology of the Eucharist: Holy Communion is called therein a 'heavenly and dreadful Mystery', which is offered on a 'holy and spiritual' Table. These theological expressions about the Holy Communion reveal the holiness of the Sacrament, which is indeed a divine gift, a gift that the faithful cannot receive unconditionally and without preparation.

28 from Αθωνική Ψηφιακή Κιβωτός on Vimeo.

The basic prerequisite is underlined in the aforementioned prayer: a pure conscience on the part of the faithful is a sine qua non. 'Conscience' is a comprehensive term, which covers the full spectrum of spirituality. Even in psychological sciences conscience is considered as the pivot in shaping a balanced human personality. Pure conscience is therefore an essential precondition for the partaking of the most pure Sacrament.

We should note here that this prayer of preparation for the Holy Communion does not fail to refer to the benefits of the Sacrament, which are the following: remission of sins; forgiveness of transgressions; inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven; boldness upon approaching the Lord; abstention from sin; and deliverance from condemnation. It should be underlined that the remission of sins is the result of the partaking of the Sacrament (we receive the Sacrament for the remission of our sins) and not a prerequisite for a participation in it (we need not be without sin so as to receive the Sacrament). The Church should lay emphasis on this truth in our modern world: God invites to Holy Communion not the Saints or the perfect ones but all of us, sinners.

The Holy Communion symbolizes the participation of the faithful in the Resurrection of Christ. Besides, it is of the resurrected Body of the Lord that the faithful partake. It is in this sense that the Holy Communion is allegorically considered as an 'inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven'.


Last modified: Wednesday, 7 October 2020, 9:07 PM