The sacrament of communion, during which believers, under the guise of bread and wine, partake of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, is necessary for the spiritual perfection of an Orthodox person. A Christian can partake of the shrine at the Divine Liturgy.
Each liturgy service is accompanied by the celebration of the Eucharist, when bread and wine are miraculously, but quite realistically applied to the Body and Blood of the Savior. If a Christian has prepared for communion by fulfilling the rule of prayer, reconciling himself with his neighbors, and having attended confession, he can begin the liturgy at the shrine.
Communion in an Orthodox church takes place at the end of the liturgy. The priest proceeds from the royal gates with a chalice in his hands and reads several preparatory prayers for communion, during which the Christian lifts his mind and thoughts to God.
Next, believers who want to receive communion fold their hands on their chests crosswise (right over left). With a sense of humility and unworthiness before the shrine, a man sets about to the holy cup. The first to come to communion are monks, then infants, men and women. Approaching the bowl, you need to name your name. Further, the Orthodox partake of the Savior's Body and Blood (in the form of bread and wine) from a special puddle. After taking the shrine, you need to kiss the cup. The sign of the Cross is not superimposed so as not to accidentally overturn the chalice with holy gifts. Adults are communed with the Body and Blood, and infants with Blood with a small particle of the Body, since the babies still can not chew.
After communion, the Christian drinks a special drink and tastes the antidor. All holy gifts must be carefully swallowed so that nothing remains in the oral cavity.
After the sacrament, the communed person remains until the end of the liturgy and approaches the cross at the end of the service, after which he goes home with peace, thanks to the Lord for the holy shrine and communion with God.
