According to the Orthodox doctrine, the sacrament of communion consists in the eating by believers under the guise of bread and wine of the real essence of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The sacrament of communion is one of the seven Orthodox sacraments in which a person unites with God.
The establishment of the sacrament of communion does not apply to human ordinance or the invention of clerics. If we turn to the gospel narrative, it will be clear that the sacrament of the Eucharist (communion) was established by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
The sacrament of communion was established by the Savior shortly before the death of the Cross - on Thursday. Until now, this day is called "Thursday" as a sign that this is a special time for the purification of the soul of man and the unity of the latter with God. According to the Gospels, Christ, during a mysterious supper in the chamber of Zion, took bread, broke it, and distributed it to his disciples to the apostles with the words that this is the true Body of the Son of God. Further, the Savior blessed the cup of wine saying that it was His Blood. The Lord Himself commanded us to do this sacrament in remembrance of Him.
The sacrament of communion took place in the first centuries of Christianity. So from the history of the Church it is known that believers gathered in secret from pagan authorities, performed divine services and partook of the Body and Blood of Christ, fulfilling the Savior's covenant.
The need for the sacrament of communion is also stipulated in the gospel. Christ himself said that communion is necessary in order to have life in oneself. The union with God in the sacrament of communion is spoken of in the Gospel. Christ preached that those people who take communion abide in Him (the Lord Jesus Christ) and the Lord Himself abides in them.
