Question to the Bishop.
Dear Vladyka! I ask for clarification on how to properly prepare for Holy Communion if you partake during several Liturgies in a row. Is it necessary to read the canons [3 canons: canon of repentance, to Mother of God, to the Guardian Angel] each time, or is the canon to Communion and prayers to Communion sufficient? And how often and correctly can one partake of Communion during Holy Week and Bright Week? I have not received a clear answer, the respected priests answer differently. One allows partake of Communion on Easter and Bright Week without confession, but first read the Easter canon three times, another does not recommend Communion at all during Bright Week, since repentance is replaced by rejoicing, and one cannot partake of Communion without confession. And I have also received different instructions regarding preparation and frequency. It has even gotten to the point that, by listening to the advice of one, I have confused another. I ask for your blessing and prayers, Natalia
Metropolitan Longin of Saratov and Volsk answers.
Dear Natalia! The issues of preparation for Holy Communion are examined in great detail in the document "On the Participation of the Faithful in the Eucharist." This document was widely discussed, approved by the Bishops' Conference and confirmed by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2015. I once again recommend that not only you, but all parishioners read it very carefully.
The most important thing: every time we approach Holy Communion, we need to prepare. This preparation includes a prayer rule, attendance at the daily service preceding the Liturgy, and cleansing one's conscience through confession. Regarding the rule, the document emphasizes: "An invariable part of prayerful preparation is the order of preparation for Holy Communion, consisting of the appropriate canon and prayers. The prayer rule usually includes the canons to the Savior, the Mother of God, the Guardian Angel and other prayers (see "The Rule for Those Preparing to Serve and Wanting to Receive the Holy Divine Mysteries, the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ" in the Book of Psalms and Other Prayers). During Bright Week, the prayer rule consists of the Easter Canon, as well as the canon and prayers for Holy Communion."
As for frequent communion, I think it can be correct in exceptional cases. For example, during Holy Week, you can receive communion on Great Thursday, and on Great Saturday, and on Easter. I believe this is enough for a person living in the world, working and burdened with a family. I would advise monastics to receive communion on all days of Holy Week. But for laypeople, this is difficult.
As for confession, it is necessary to examine your conscience and, if necessary, to confess even before each communion.
During the days of Bright Week, Christians who observed Great Lent partake of Holy Communion, limiting their fast to not eating after midnight. Confession - again, if necessary. All talks about how "repentance is incompatible with rejoicing" and so on are home-grown theology of the kind about which the apostle said: "But reject profane and old wives' tales" (1 Tim. 4:7). Unfortunately, some of our priests, especially the elderly, are inclined to this. The young have another extreme: "Oh, let's partake of communion indiscriminately, whenever and however we like." This is also wrong.
I think that the criterion for the frequency of communion for a person living in the world can be the following: “I can receive communion if I can come to the evening service the day before and prepare for communion normally, as required by the Church Charter, without neglecting my family and work responsibilities.” That is, if you can go to church every morning and evening during Bright Week, read the canon of Easter (once, not three times, as someone told you) and the rule for communion, and at the same time your family — husband, children, older relatives — will not be indignant that you have neglected them and only go to church yourself — please, receive communion every day.
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