If Left Unchecked, People Will Receive Communion Several Times a Day

Archpriest Vladimir Vorobyov.

Archpriest Vladimir Vorobyov

It must be said that in the East, in Greece and other Balkan countries, Confession has long been separated from Communion. This rule that one cannot receive Communion without Confession no longer exists there, and this sometimes has very bad consequences because people do not prepare at all, come from the street and receive communion without any repentance. Some even, I was told, receive communion several times. They go to every church and receive communion. The priest does not know them, he has not taught them anything and does not control anything.

But if we do the same, it will be a terrible excess. This is absolutely unacceptable for us. The priest is obliged to exercise control over Communion anyway. That is, one cannot receive Communion without the priest's blessing. That's what I would say: not without Confession, but without a blessing. And I bless those whom I know, in whom I have confidence. That's it. And if I don’t know the parishioner: “let’s confess normally.”

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