One Must Not Approach the Holy Mysteries Without Preparation
March 25
(A Word of John of Damascus on the Communion of the Body of Christ)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
March 25
(A Word of John of Damascus on the Communion of the Body of Christ)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
One must not approach the Communion of the Holy Mysteries without preparation, as the Holy Apostle Paul also says: “Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For he who eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Body of the Lord” (1 Cor. 11:28–29).
In what, then, should preparation for receiving the Holy Mysteries consist?
Saint John of Damascus reasons about this as follows:
“Many receive the Body of Christ simply out of custom, and not as they ought according to the law, with a pure thought and mind, during the holy Fast and in the Paschal season. First of all, one must pass through the holy Fast in purity and cleanse one’s conscience, and only then partake; otherwise, one who is unclean will be unworthy to taste of the Table of Christ. Remember that even in the Old Testament people approached the sacrifices with fear and purified themselves beforehand. But we receive the Body and Blood of Christ with defiled hands and without fear, whereas even the angels tremble before them.
And you, Christian, know the time of Communion, yet you do not prepare yourself for Communion itself. Consider: can you approach even an earthly king with foul-smelling lips? How then shall we approach the Heavenly King with them? Do you not hear what is proclaimed in the Church? ‘Let those in the state of catechumens depart, and let those who are not in repentance not receive!’
Therefore, let only the worthy approach Holy Communion, and let the unworthy not partake, because they will receive the Holy Mysteries unto judgment for themselves, unto condemnation and torment. For this reason the priest proclaims: ‘The holy things are for the holy!’ that is, let only the holy approach. It is not said simply ‘pure,’ but ‘holy.’ ‘He who eats this Bread and drinks this Cup unworthily is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord.’”
Thus, this is what preparation for receiving the Holy Mysteries must consist of: first, one must approach the Holy Mysteries with a pure thought and mind; second, one must keep the fast in purity; third, one must cleanse oneself by repentance; and finally, fourth, one must approach with fear.
Is that all? No — one must also approach with love and faith, as the Holy Church says: “With fear of God, faith, and love, draw near, that we may become partakers of eternal life!” — and this is the most important thing.
Therefore, as we prepare for Communion in the way described, let us not forget faith and love. And so, when approaching the Holy Chalice, let each one say from the heart:
“I believe, O Lord, and I confess that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. With love I come to You, for You have shed Your most pure Blood for me, have reconciled me with Your Father, and have delivered me from sin, the curse, and death.”
Thus should one speak to the Lord when approaching the Holy Chalice, and then you will receive the Holy Mysteries not unto judgment or condemnation, but unto the remission of sins and life eternal. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
