Fasting and Prayer Before Communion

Until this year, I confessed and took communion only once in my life, in adolescence. Recently I decided to take communion again, but I forgot about fasting, prayers, confession... What should I do now?

According to the canons of the Church, before communion, abstinence from intimate life and communion on an empty stomach are obligatory. All the canons, prayers, fasting are simply means to set oneself up for prayer, repentance and the desire to improve. Even confession, strictly speaking, is not obligatory before communion, but this is the case if a person regularly confesses to one priest, if he does not have canonical obstacles to communion (abortion, murder, going to fortune-tellers and psychics ...) and there is the blessing of the confessor is not always necessary to confess before communion (for example, Bright Week). So in your case, nothing particularly terrible happened, and in the future you can use all these means of preparing for communion.

How long to fast before communion?

Strictly speaking, the "Typicon" (charter) says that those who wish to receive communion must fast during the week. But, firstly, this is a monastic charter, and the “Book of Rules” (canons) contains only two necessary conditions for those wishing to take communion: 1) the absence of intimate marital relations (not to mention prodigal ones) on the eve of communion; 2) Communion must be taken on an empty stomach. Thus, it turns out that fasting before communion, reading canons and prayers, confession are recommended for those preparing for communion in order to more fully evoke a repentant mood. Nowadays, at round tables devoted to the topic of the sacrament, priests have come to the conclusion that if a person observes all four major fasts during the year, fasts on Wednesday and Friday (and this time takes at least six months a year), then for such a person it is enough Eucharistic fasting, i.e. communion on an empty stomach. But if a person has not gone to church for 10 years and decided to take communion, then he will need a completely different format for preparing for communion. All these nuances must be coordinated with your confessor.

Is it possible for me to continue preparing for communion if I had to break the fast on Friday: they asked me to remember the person and gave non-fast food?

Why are kakons written in Church Slavonic? Because they are so hard to read. My husband doesn't understand anything he reads and gets angry. Maybe I should read aloud?

It is customary in the Church to hold services in Church Slavonic. We also pray in the same language at home. This is not Russian, not Ukrainian, and no other. This is the language of the Church. There are no obscenities, swear words in this language, and in fact, you can learn to understand it in just a few days. After all, he has Slavic roots. This is the question of why we use this particular language. If your husband is more comfortable listening while you read, you can do so. The main thing is that he listens carefully. I advise you to sit down in your free time and parse the text with the Church Slavonic dictionary in order to better understand the meaning of the prayers.

My husband believes in God, but somehow in his own way. He believes that it is not necessary to read prayers before confession and communion, it is enough to recognize sins in oneself and repent. Isn't this a sin?

If a person considers himself so perfect, almost holy, that he does not need any help in preparing for communion, and prayers are such help, then let him take communion. But he remembers the words of the Holy Fathers that we then partake worthily when we consider ourselves unworthy. And if a person denies the need for prayers before communion, it turns out that he already considers himself worthy. Let your husband think about all this and with heartfelt attention, reading the prayers for communion, prepare to receive the holy Mysteries of Christ.

Is it possible to be in the evening service in one church, and in the morning for communion in another?

There are no canonical prohibitions against such practice.

Is it possible to read the canons and the following to the sacrament during the week?

It is better with attention, thinking about the meaning of what is being read, so that it is really a prayer, to distribute the recommended rule for communion for a week, starting with the canons and ending with prayers for communion on the eve of receiving the Mysteries of Christ, than to subtract thoughtlessly in one day.

How to fast and prepare for communion while living in a 1-room apartment with unbelievers?

The Holy Fathers teach that one can live in the desert and have a noisy city in one's heart. And you can live in a noisy city, but there will be peace and quiet in your heart. So, if we want to pray, we will pray in any conditions. People prayed both in sinking ships and in the trenches under bombardment, and this was the most pleasing prayer to God. Who seeks, he finds opportunities.

Communion of children

When to Communion a Baby?

If in churches the Blood of Christ is left in a special chalice, then such babies can be communed at any moment, at any time, as long as there is a priest. This is especially true in big cities. If there is no such practice, then a child can be communed only when a liturgy is performed in the temple, as a rule, on Sunday and on major holidays. With babies, you can come to the end of the service and take communion in the general order. If you come with babies to the beginning of the service, they will begin to cry and this will interfere with the prayers of the rest of the believers, who will grumble and be indignant at unreasonable parents. Drinking in small quantities can be given to an infant of any age. Antidor, prosphora is given when the child is able to use it. As a rule, babies are not communed on an empty stomach until they are 3-4 years old, and then they are taught to take communion on an empty stomach. But if a 5-6-year-old child, out of forgetfulness, drank or ate something, then he can also be communed.

The daughter from the year partakes of the Body and Blood of Christ. Now she is almost three, we have moved, and in the new temple the priest gives her only Blood. At my request to give her a piece, he made a remark about the lack of humility. Reconcile?

At the level of custom, indeed, in our Church, a baby up to 7 years old is communed only with the Blood of Christ. But if a child is accustomed to communion from the very cradle, the priest, seeing the adequacy of the baby when he grows up, can already give the Body of Christ. But you need to be very careful and control so that the child does not spit out a particle. Usually, full Communion is given to infants when the father and the baby get used to each other, and the priest is sure that the child will fully consume Communion. Try once to talk with the priest on this topic, motivating your request by the fact that the child is already accustomed to partaking of both the Body and the Blood of Christ, and then humbly accept any reaction from the priest.

What to do with clothes that a child vomited on after communion?

The part of the garment that has come into contact with the sacrament is cut out and burned. We patch the hole with some kind of decorative patch.

My daughter is seven years old and she will have to go to confession before taking communion. How can I prepare her for this? What prayers should she read before communion, what about a three-day fast?

The main rule in preparing for the reception of the Holy Mysteries in relation to young children can be concluded in two words: do no harm. Therefore, parents, especially mothers, must explain to the child why confess, for what purpose to take communion. And the prescribed prayers and canons are gradually, not immediately, perhaps even read with the child. Start with one prayer, so that the child does not overwork, so that it does not become a burden for him, so that this coercion does not push him away. Similarly, with regard to fasting, limit both the time and the list of prohibited foods, for example, give up only meat. In general, at first it is necessary that the mother understands the meaning of preparation, and then, without fanaticism, she gradually teaches her child step by step.

The child has been vaccinated against rabies. He can't drink alcohol for a whole year. What to do with the sacrament?

Believing that the sacrament is the best medicine in the universe, when we approach it, we forget about all the limitations. And according to our faith, we will heal both the soul and the body.

The child was prescribed a gluten-free diet (bread is not allowed). I understand that we eat the Blood and Body of Christ, but the physical characteristics of the products remain wine and bread. Is Communion possible without partaking of the Body? What is in wine?

Once again, the sacrament is the best medicine in the world. But, given the age of your child, you can, of course, ask to receive communion only with the Blood of Christ. The wine used for communion may be real wine made from grapes with added sugar for strength, or it may be a wine product made from grapes with alcohol added. What kind of wine is used in the temple where you take communion, you can ask the priest.

Every Sunday the child was communed, but the last time when he approached the Chalice, he began to have a terrible hysteria. The next time it happened in another temple. I'm desperate.

In order not to aggravate the negative reaction of the child to the sacrament, you can try to simply go to the temple without taking communion. You can try to introduce the child to the priest, so that this communication will smooth out the child’s fear, and over time, he will again begin to partake of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Communion for Easter, Bright Week

Is it necessary to observe a three-day fast, subtract the canons and the following in order to take communion for Bright Week?

Starting from the night liturgy and throughout all the days of Bright Week, communion is not only permitted, but also commanded by the 66th Canon of the Sixth Ecumenical Council. Preparation these days consists in reading the Paschal canon and following Holy Communion. Starting from the week of Antipascha, communion is prepared as throughout the year (three canons and a follow-up).

How to prepare for communion in continuous weeks?

The Church, as a loving mother, cares not only for our souls, but also for our bodies. Therefore, on the eve of, for example, a rather difficult Great Lent, it gives us some relief in food through a continuous week. But this does not mean that we are forced to eat more fast food these days. That is, we have a right, but not an obligation. So how you want to prepare for communion, so prepare. But remember the main thing: first of all, we prepare our soul and heart, cleansing them with repentance, prayer, reconciliation, and the stomach comes last.

I heard that on Easter you can take communion, even if he did not fast. Is it true?

There is no special rule that allows communion specifically on Easter without fasting and without preparation. On this issue, the answer must be given by the priest after direct communication with the person.

I want to take communion on Easter, but I ate soup on non-fasting broth. Now I'm afraid that I can't take communion. What do you think?

Remembering the words of John Chrysostom, which are read on Easter night, that those who fast do not condemn those who do not fast, but we all rejoice, you can boldly approach the sacrament of communion on Easter night, deeply and sincerely realizing your unworthiness. And most importantly, bring to God not the contents of your stomach, but the contents of your heart. And for the future, of course, we must strive to fulfill the commandments of the Church, including fasting.

During communion, the priest in our church reprimanded me for not coming to communion during fasting days, but coming at Pascha. What is the difference between communion in the Easter service and "simple" Sunday?

You need to ask your father for this. For even the canons of the Church welcome Communion not only at Pascha, but throughout the entire Bright Week. No priest has the right to forbid a person to take communion at any liturgy, if there are no canonical obstacles to doing so.

Communion of the elderly and sick people, pregnant women, nursing mothers

How to Approach Communion for the Elderly at Home?

It is advisable to invite a priest to sick people at least during Great Lent. Will not interfere with other posts. Necessarily during an exacerbation of the disease, especially if it is clear that the case is coming to an end, without waiting for the patient to fall into unconsciousness, his swallowing reflex will disappear or he will vomit. He must be in a sober mind and memory.

My mother-in-law recently passed away. I offered to invite the priest home for confession and communion. Something was stopping her. Now she is not always conscious. Please advise what to do.

The Church accepts the conscious choice of a person, without violating his will. If a person, being in memory, wanted to start the sacraments of the Church, but for some reason did not do this, then in case of clouding of the mind, remembering his desire and consent, you can still make such a compromise as communion and unction (this is how we commune infants or insane). But if a person, being in his right mind, did not want to accept the sacraments of the Church, then even in the event of a loss of consciousness, the Church does not force the choice of this person and cannot receive communion or unction. Alas, it is his choice. Such cases are considered by the confessor, directly communicating with the patient and his relatives, after which the final decision is made. In general, of course, it is best to find out your relationship with God in a conscious and adequate state.

I am diabetic. Can I take communion if I take a pill in the morning and eat?

In principle, it is possible, but if you wish, you can limit yourself to a pill, take communion at the first services, which end in the early morning. Then eat healthy. If it’s impossible without food for health reasons, then stipulate this at confession and take communion.

I have a thyroid disease, I can't go to church without drinking water and eating. If I go on an empty stomach, it will become bad. I live in the provinces, the priests are strict. Does that mean I can't take communion?

If it is required for medical reasons, there are no prohibitions. In the end, the Lord does not look into the stomach, but into the heart of a person, and any literate, sane priest should understand this very well.

For several weeks now I have not been able to take communion due to bleeding. What to do?

Such a period can no longer be called an ordinary female cycle. Therefore, it is already a disease. And there are women who have similar phenomena for months. In addition, and not necessarily for this reason, but for some other reason, during such a phenomenon, the death of a woman may also occur. Therefore, even the rule of Timothy of Alexandria, which forbids a woman from communion during "women's days", nevertheless, for the sake of fear of a mortal (threat to life), allows communion. There is such an episode in the Gospel when a woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years, desiring healing, touched the robes of Christ. The Lord did not condemn her, but on the contrary, she received recovery. Considering all of the above, a wise confessor will bless you to take communion. It is quite possible that after such a Medicine you will be healed of a bodily ailment.

Does the preparation for confession and communion differ for pregnant women?

For military people participating in hostilities, the service life is considered as a year for three. And during the Great Patriotic War in the Soviet army, soldiers were even given front-line 100 grams, although in peacetime vodka and the army were incompatible. For a pregnant woman, the time of bearing a child is also “time of war”, and the Holy Fathers understood this very well when they allowed pregnant and lactating women to relax in fasting and prayer. Pregnant women can still be compared with sick women - toxicosis, etc. And the rules of the church (the 29th canon of the holy apostles) for the sick are also allowed to relax the fast, up to its complete abolition. In general, every pregnant woman, according to her own conscience, based on the state of her health, determines the measure of fasting and prayer herself. I would recommend taking communion as often as possible during pregnancy. The prayer rule for communion can also be performed while sitting. You can also sit in the temple, you can not come to the beginning of the service.

General questions about the sacrament

In recent years, after the Sunday Liturgy, I begin to have severe headaches, especially on the days of Communion. With what it can be connected?

Such cases in various variations are quite common. Look at all this as a temptation in a good deed and, of course, continue to go to church for services without succumbing to these temptations.

How often can you take communion? Is it necessary to read all the canons before communion, observe fasting and go to confession?

The purpose of the Divine Liturgy is the communion of believers, that is, bread and wine are turned into the Body and Blood of Christ in order to be eaten by people, and not just by the serving priest. In ancient times, a person who was at the liturgy and did not take communion was then obliged to give an explanation to the priest why he did not. At the end of each liturgy, the priest, appearing in the Royal Doors with the Chalice, says: "Come with the fear of God and faith." If a person takes communion once a year, then he needs both a preliminary weekly fast in food and canons with prayers, and if a person observes all four major fasts, fasts every Wednesday and Friday, then he can take communion without an additional fast, fasting with the so-called Eucharistic fast , i.e. take communion on an empty stomach. As for the rule for communion, we must realize that it is given in order to arouse repentant feelings in us. If we often take communion and we have this feeling of repentance and it is difficult for us to read the rule before each communion, then we can omit the canons, but it is advisable to read the prayers for communion after all. At the same time, one must remember the words of St. Ephraim the Syrian: “I am afraid to take communion, realizing my unworthiness, but even more so - to be left without communion.”

Is it possible to receive communion on Sunday if you were not at the all-night vigil on Saturday because of obedience to your parents? Is it a sin not to go to the service on Sunday if relatives need help?

To such a question, the conscience of a person will give the best answer: was there really no other way out not to go to the service, or is this a reason to skip prayer on Sunday? In general, of course, it is desirable for an Orthodox person, according to the commandment of God, to attend worship every Sunday. Before Sunday afternoon, it is generally desirable to be at the Saturday evening service, and especially before Communion. But if for some reason it was not possible to be in the service, and the soul longs for communion, then, realizing one’s unworthiness, one can take communion with the blessing of the confessor.

Is it possible to take communion on a weekday, i.e., after communion go to work?

It is possible, at the same time, to protect the purity of your heart as much as possible.

How many days after communion do not bow and bow to the ground?

If the liturgical charter (during Great Lent) prescribes bowing to the ground, then starting from the evening service, they can and should be laid. And if the charter does not provide for bows, then on the day of communion only bows are performed from the waist.

I want to take communion, but the day of communion falls on the anniversary of the pope. How to congratulate the father, so as not to offend?

For the sake of peace and love, you can congratulate your father, but do not stay long at the holiday so as not to “spill” the grace of the sacrament.

Batiushka refused me communion because my eyes were tinted. Is he right?

Probably, the priest thought that you are already a mature enough Christian to realize that people go to church not to emphasize the beauty of their bodies, but to heal their souls. But if a beginner has come, then under such a pretext it is impossible to deprive him of communion, so as not to forever scare him away from the Church.

Is it possible, having received communion, to receive a blessing from God for some work? Successful job interview, IVF procedure...

People take communion for the healing of soul and body, expecting to receive some help and God's blessing in good deeds through the sacrament. And IVF, according to church teaching, is a sinful and unacceptable business. Therefore, you can take communion, but this does not mean at all that this sacrament will help in the unpleasing work you have planned. The sacrament cannot automatically guarantee the fulfillment of our requests. But if we generally try to lead a Christian way of life, then, of course, the Lord will help us, including in earthly matters.

My husband and I go to confession and communion in different churches. How important is it for spouses to partake of the same Chalice?

No matter what Orthodox canonical church we take communion in, anyway, by and large, we all take communion from the same Chalice, consuming the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. From this it follows that it is absolutely unimportant whether spouses commune in the same church or in different ones, for the Body and Blood of the Savior are the same everywhere.

Prohibitions for communion

Can I go to communion without reconciliation, for which I have neither the strength nor the desire?

In the prayers before communion there is a kind of announcement: “Although eat, man, the Body of the Lady, first reconcile thee to those who grieve.” That is, without reconciliation, a priest cannot allow a person to take communion, and if a person decides to take communion arbitrarily, then he will take communion in condemnation.

Is it possible to receive communion after desecration?

It is impossible, it is only allowed to taste the prosphora.

Can I take communion if I live in an unmarried civil marriage and confessed my sins on the eve of communion? I intend to continue such a relationship, I'm afraid, otherwise my beloved will not understand me.

It is important for a believer to be understood by God. And God will not understand us, seeing that the opinion of people is more important for us. God wrote to us that fornicators do not inherit the Kingdom of God, and according to the canons of the Church, such a sin excommunicates a person from communion for many years, even if he reforms. And the cohabitation of a man and a woman without a signature in the registry office is called fornication, this is not a marriage. People living in such "marriages" and taking advantage of the indulgence and kindness of the confessor, in fact, really set them up before God, because the priest has to take on their sin if he allows them to take communion. Unfortunately, such a promiscuous sex life has become the norm of our time, and the shepherds no longer know where to go, what to do with such flocks. Therefore, take pity on your fathers (this is an appeal to all such prodigal cohabitants) and legitimize your relationship at least in the registry office, and if you mature, then receive a blessing for marriage and through the sacrament of the wedding. You have to make a choice what is more important for you: the eternal destiny of your soul or temporary bodily comforts. After all, even confession without the intention to improve in advance is hypocritical and resembles a trip to the hospital without a desire to be treated. To admit you to communion or not, let your confessor decide.

The priest imposed a penance on me and excommunicated me from communion for three months, because I had an affair with a man. Can I confess to another priest and, with his permission, receive communion?

For fornication (intimacy outside of marriage), according to the rules of the Church, a person can be excommunicated from communion not for three months, but for several years. You do not have the right to cancel the penance imposed by another priest.

My aunt told fortunes on the nut, then she confessed. The priest forbade her to take communion for three years! How should she be?

According to the canons of the Church, for such actions (in fact, classes in the occult), a person is excommunicated from communion for several years. So everything that the priest you mentioned has done is within his competence. But, seeing sincere repentance and a desire not to repeat anything like this again, he has the right to shorten the period of penance (punishment).

I have not yet completely got rid of sympathy for Baptism, but I want to go to confession and take communion. Or wait until I am completely sure of the truth of Orthodoxy?

Whoever doubts the truth of Orthodoxy cannot proceed to the sacraments. So try to fully assert yourself. For the Gospel says that “according to your faith it will be given to you,” and not according to formal participation in the sacraments and rites of the church.

Communion and other sacraments of the Church

I was invited to be the godmother of the child. How long before baptism should I take communion?

These are not interconnected ordinances. In principle, you must take communion constantly. And before baptism, think more about how to be a worthy godmother, who cares about the Orthodox upbringing of the baptized.

Is it necessary to confess and receive communion before the unction?

In principle, these are unrelated sacraments. But since it is believed that unrecognized sins that are the cause of human illnesses are forgiven in unction, there is a tradition that we repent of those sins that we remember and know, and then we unify.

Superstitions about the sacrament of communion

Is it permissible to eat meat on the day of communion?

A person, when going to see a doctor, takes a shower, changes his underwear... Similarly, an Orthodox Christian, preparing for Communion, fasts, reads the rules, comes to Divine Services more often, and after Communion, if it is not a fast day, you can eat any food , including meat.

I heard that on the day of communion you can not spit anything and kiss anyone.

On the day of communion, any person takes food and does it with a spoon. That is, in fact, and, oddly enough, licking a spoon many times while eating, a person does not eat it with food :). Many are afraid to kiss the cross or icons after communion, but they “kiss” the spoon. I think you already understand that all the actions that you mentioned can be done after drinking the sacrament.

Recently, in one of the churches, the priest instructed confessors before communion: “Do not dare to come to communion, those who brushed their teeth or chewed gum this morning.”

I also brush my teeth before work. You don't really need to chew gum. When we brush our teeth, we take care not only of ourselves, but also that others around us do not hear an unpleasant smell from our breath.

I always go to communion with a bag. The temple worker told her to leave. I got annoyed, left my bag and, in a state of anger, took communion. Is it possible to approach the Chalice with a bag?

Probably the devil sent that grandmother. After all, the Lord does not care what we have in our hands when we approach the Holy Chalice, for He looks into the heart of a person. However, there was no point in getting angry. Repent of this in confession.

Is it possible to contract some kind of disease after communion? In the temple where I went, it was required not to lick the spoon, the priest himself threw a piece into his wide open mouth. In another temple, they corrected me that I was taking the sacrament incorrectly. But it's very dangerous!

At the end of the service, the priest or deacon consumes (finishes) the sacrament left in the Chalice. And this despite the fact that in the vast majority of cases (what you wrote, I generally hear for the first time that a priest “loads” the sacrament into his mouth, like an excavator), people take communion by taking the sacrament with their lips and touching a liar (spoon). I myself have been using the remaining Gifts for more than 30 years, and neither I nor any of the other priests have ever suffered from any infectious diseases after that. Going to the Cup, we must understand that this is a Sacrament, and not an ordinary plate of food from which many people eat. Communion is not ordinary food, it is the Body and Blood of Christ, which, in fact, cannot initially be sources of infection, just as icons and holy relics cannot be the same source.

My relative says that communion on the day of the feast of St. Sergius of Radonezh is equal to 40 communions. Can the Sacrament of Communion be stronger on one day than on another?

Communion at any Divine Liturgy has the same power and meaning. And in this case there can be no arithmetic. The one who receives the Mysteries of Christ should always be equally aware of his unworthiness and be grateful to God for allowing him to take communion.

An integral part of fasting is confession, that is, repentance. This is one of the Orthodox sacraments when a person tells a church minister about his sins that he committed during his life. It is important to know how to prepare for confession, because without this it will be impossible to proceed to the sacrament.

How to prepare for confession and communion?

There are several requirements that the clergy talk about to people who want to take communion.

1. The person must be an Orthodox Christian who has been baptized by a legitimate priest. In addition, it is important to believe and accept the Holy Scriptures. There are various books through which a person can learn about faith, such as the Catechism.
2. Understanding what you need to know before confession and communion, it is worth pointing out that it is necessary to remember evil deeds, starting from the age of seven or from the moment of baptism, if this happened in adulthood. It is important to point out that one should not mention other people's sins in order to justify one's own actions.
3. A believer must make a promise to the Lord that every effort will be made to make no more mistakes and do good.
4. In a situation where sin provoked damage to loved ones, then before confession it is important to make every possible effort to make amends for the committed act.
5. It is equally important to forgive the existing offenses to people yourself, otherwise you should not count on the Lord's indulgence.
6. It is recommended to develop a habit for yourself every day, for example, before going to bed, to analyze the past day, bringing repentance to the Lord.

Fasting before confession

There are no direct prohibitions regarding whether it is possible to eat food before the sacrament of confession, but it is recommended to refrain from eating for 6-8 hours. If you are interested in how to fast before confession and communion, then you must adhere to a three-day fast, so products include: vegetables and fruits, cereals, fish, pastries, dried fruits and nuts.

Prayers before confession

One of the important stages of preparation is the reading of prayer texts, and this can be done both at home and in church. With their help, a person conducts spiritual cleansing and prepares for an important event. Many Orthodox believers claim that in order to prepare for confession, it is important to read prayers, the text of which is understandable and known, thanks to which you can get rid of disturbing thoughts and gain understanding of the upcoming ritual. The clergy assure that you can even ask for your loved ones, who will have confession and communion.

How to write down sins before confession?

Many people misunderstand the need to list their own sins, even using "lists". As a result, confession turns into a formal enumeration of one's own mistakes. The clergy allow the use of records, but these should only be reminders and only if the person is really afraid of forgetting something. When figuring out how to prepare for confession, it is worth pointing out that it is important to understand the term “sin”, as it is an act that is contrary to the will of the Lord.

There are several tips on how to write sins before confession in order to fulfill everything according to the existing canons.

1. First, you need to remember the offenses that concern the Lord, for example, lack of faith, the use of superstition in life, turning to fortune-tellers and creating idols for yourself.
2. The rules before confession include an indication of the sins committed against oneself and other people. This group includes condemnation of others, neglect, bad habits, envy, and so on.
3. It is important when talking with the clergy to discuss only their own sins, without inventing a special church language.
4. When confessing, a person should talk about really serious things, and not about trifles.
5. Finding out how to properly prepare for confession and communion, it is worth pointing out that a believer should try to change his life before going to an individual conversation in church. In addition, you need to try to live in peace with the people around you.

Can I drink water before confession?

There are many prohibitions regarding such important and responsible events in the life of a believer as confession and. It is believed that as a preparation it is necessary to refrain from taking food and liquids for at least 6-8 hours. It is important to note that before confession, only people who need to drink medicines important for life are allowed to drink water. If a person drank water before communion, then the clergyman should be told about it.

Can I smoke before communion and confession?

On account of this topic, there are different opinions expressed by the clergy.

1. Some believe that if a person smokes for a long time, it will be difficult for him to quit a bad habit, and there are cases when this is dangerous. In their opinion, cigarette addiction cannot be a reason for refusing confession and communion.
2. Other clergy, answering the question regarding whether it is possible to smoke before confession and communion, are categorical, arguing that if it is difficult for a person to abstain from tobacco before this important event, then it is difficult to talk about the triumph of the spirit over the body.

Can I have sex before confession?

Many believing people misunderstand, considering it to be something dirty and sinful. In fact, sex is an integral part of the marital relationship. Many priests are of the opinion that husband and wife are free persons, and no one has the right to enter their bedroom with their advice. Sex before confession is not strictly forbidden, but if possible, abstinence will be useful to maintain purity of body and soul.

How to prepare for confession? what to talk about in confession?

Confession cleanses our heart and soul. But not everyone knows how to properly approach confession. We will talk about this further.

With what words to start confession, how does confession go?

Confession is a bath that washes the soul from sinful dirt. It is not enough to simply acknowledge your sin. You need to go to church and confess before God to repent.

If some do not understand why it is necessary to go to the temple, then one more example should be given. The church is like a hospital for the soul. But if we are ill with the body, then we visit the hospital? So it is with the soul, it is necessary to heal it in the church.

During confession, you come to the temple and listen to the words of the holy father, “Behold, child, Christ stands invisibly, receiving your confession…”. This is how the confession begins.
Further, you bow your head over the lectern, the holy father covers you with stole, and you can already express what is in your soul. At this time, the index and middle fingers must be placed on the Gospel or on the cross.

After your words, the priest can ask you some questions and also clarify whether you repent of this sin. After you have repented, the rector of the temple reads a permissive prayer. Next, you need to kiss the cross and the Gospel.

There are no formalities and obligations in preparing for confession. You don't have to say any specific words. In order to confess, you do not need to select a specific day or church holiday.

All you need is the call of the soul and the desire to be cleansed. Preparing for confession is the moment when you analyzed your life and actions and realized that you were doing something wrong.

After confession, you can take a blessing from the priest. To do this, put your right hand on top of your left and say: "Father, bless."

The priest makes the sign of the cross and places his hand on your palms. You need to kiss your father's hand. If after confession you plan to take communion, then also ask for this blessing.

How to prepare for confession for the first time?

Confession is perceived as reconciliation with the Lord. A priest is present as a witness, to whom you reveal your sins. And he, in turn, prays for the forgiveness of your sins.

Before confession, there are a few important rules to remember:

• Realize your sins and sincerely repent. If you decide to come to confession, then you understand that you are doing something wrong in your life. Therefore, you should reconsider all the moments that do not suit you, and which you regret. Sincerely ask God for forgiveness for all sins and ask to cleanse your soul and mind from filth.
• Don't write huge lists. In this case, you seem to be just reading the list without opening your soul. You can briefly sketch what you want to confess, so as not to forget. But writing the whole confession on paper is not worth it.
• Confess only your sins. Do not say that you did something sinful in response to the sinful deed of a neighbor, relative or colleague. These are their sins, for which you must not speak. Cleanse your soul and thoughts first.
• Do not invent some beautiful words and phrases for your speech. God accepts and loves us in any way. And he certainly knows about your sins. Do not be shy and the priest. Over the years of service, he listened to a lot, so you certainly won’t be surprised at your words.
• If you have not gone to church for many years, then you should first confess this sin and talk about serious sinful deeds and thoughts. About wearing short clothes or watching TV in the post can be said at the end. Since in the presence of more serious sins, it is not so important to mention the TV and clothes.
• Try to change your life before confession. Do not think that confession is an event after which you can continue to commit sinful acts. Change your life for the better. Let gradually and slowly, but surely.
• Forgive and you will be forgiven. If you ask the Lord for forgiveness, then be prepared to forgive the people you are offended by.

• Find out about the time of confession in the temple. If you have come for the first time, then it is better not to choose the days of big holidays. On such days, there are usually a lot of people who want to confess. It is better to choose a quieter day in order to be able to have a full-fledged unhurried confession.
• Read before confession prayers of repentance. They can be found in prayer books.
• It is desirable to confess at least once a month. Then you will feel in good physical and mental tone.

What prayers to read before confession and communion?

Before confession and communion, one should not only observe fasting, but also prepare with prayer. The prayer before confession is the prayer of Simeon the Theologian. Also in the prayer book, prayers of repentance are provided, which are also recommended for reading.

Before Communion:

• Keep fasting 3 days before Holy Communion. Avoid meat and dairy products.
• Before the day of communion, visit the temple during the evening service.
• Read the rules before Holy Communion.
• From midnight until communion, do not eat or drink water.
• Come to the beginning of the liturgy, and not to the time of confession. It is important to be in the temple during the entire service.

Communion is necessary for both children and adults

To begin Holy Communion in the evening it is necessary to read the canons:

• Repentant to Jesus Christ
• Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos
• Guardian Angel

Also find the troparia and songs for Holy Communion in the prayer book and read them.

Is it necessary to fast before confession, is it possible to eat before confession?

Fasting is not required before confession. Since you can confess at any time when the soul requires it, without thinking what you have eaten before.

But before communion, a three-day fast is necessary. These days you can use:

• Vegetables and fruits
• flour products
• Sweets (but don't overeat)
• Dried fruits and nuts

Confession - sins: enumeration for women and men

Sins have existed since the time of Adam and Eve. They are so diverse that perhaps some do not even know that they are sinning. We offer you a list of sins in which men and women can convict themselves:

• Violated (a) the rules of behavior in the temple.
• He complained (a) about his life and those around him.
• Did not diligently perform (a) prayers.
• She did not abstain from carnal pleasures during pregnancy, as well as on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. I was with my husband during Lent.
• Did not repent (as) of sin immediately.
• Commemorated (a) the deceased with alcohol.
• He condemned (a), doubted (as) his neighbors.
• Had (a) sinful dreams.
• Sinful (on) gluttony.
• Praised (a) people, not the Lord.
• I was lazy (as) to go to church on Sundays.
• Deceived (a), hypocritical (a), cowardly (a).
• He believed (a) signs and was (a) superstitious (on).
• Concealed (a) sins at confession.
• Wore (a) clothes that were not modest, looked (a) at someone else's nakedness.

• He was ashamed (as) to be baptized, took off (a) the cross when meeting people.
• He did not pray (as) before eating food, went to bed (as) without prayer.
• Condemned (a) priests.
• Advised (a) or had an abortion.
• Spent (a) money on entertainment, events.
• Spoiled (a) water while swimming in the river, in which they take water for drinking.
• Visited fortune tellers.
• Sold (a) and produced (a) alcoholic beverages.
• Being unclean, she went to the temple.
• Telling (a) sinful stories from the life of close friends or relatives.
• Sinned (a) fornication and masturbation.
• Took (a) contraceptives, contraceptives.
• Visited (a) wicked places.
• Had an intimacy with a person of the same sex.
• I was engaged in exercises in the morning, and did not read (a) prayers.
• On Sundays he went (a) not to the temple, but to the forest or to the river.
• Jealous of (a) wife (husband). Tried (as) to exterminate the opponent (tsu) with the help of healers.
• Dreamed of traveling.
• Acquired (a) lottery tickets, hoping to get rich.
• During breastfeeding, she had a relationship with her husband.
• Instead of praying, I read (a) magazines, watched (a) TV.
• She prayed with her head uncovered (for men - in a headdress).
• Took (a) a sinful relationship without being married.
• Had (a) Sodomy sin (connection with animals, with a relative by blood).

This is just a short list of sins. There are 472 of them listed on the pages of spiritual books. Some of them are repeated, or indicated with additional clarifications.

Teenage and children's sins in confession: a list

The child confesses from the age of seven. Until that time, communion without confession is allowed. For children and adolescents during confession, the following sins are supposed to be indicated (naturally, if any):

• I forgot (a) about reading prayers in the morning and evening, as well as before and after meals.
• Did not prepare (as) for confession.
• Rarely visited the temple.
• Did not know (a) the basic prayers: Our Father, Creed, Mother of God Virgin, rejoice.
• Did not obey (as) parents and teachers.
• He raised his voice to the elders.
• He fought (as), called (a) children.
• Did not teach (a) lessons.
• Played (a) gambling.
• Didn't go to confession after reaching the age of 7.
• Had fun (as) on fasting days.
• Inflicted (a) on the body of the tattoo.
• Did not accustom (a) younger relatives to the word of God.
• He did not respectfully treat his godmother or godfather.
• Stole (a) or took (a) without asking.
• Not skillfully, he tried (as) to draw icons.
• He lived (a) not according to Divine laws.
• Kuril (a).

How to say about masturbation in confession?

All people are sinners, everyone has his own. Masturbation is also a sin. And he needs to repent. But very often there is such a situation that people who spoke about such a sin at confession continued to do it.

It should be understood for oneself that one should get rid of the sin of masturbation. After the first confession about this sin, try not to succumb to temptation anymore. If the willpower is not yet strong enough, then it is necessary to go to the temple for confession after each masturbation.

Ask God to give you the strength to get rid of sin. Repent and talk to the priest. Do not be embarrassed, the servant of the temple will listen and support you, give advice.

Confession is a means of purifying the soul and an impetus to a new, correct life. If you feel spiritual heaviness or sorrows do not leave you, visit the temple. There you will find help and support for your soul. and at the same time you will find peace and good spirits.

Video: How does confession begin?

Many Orthodox believers ask the priests in person, via the Internet, or ask their relatives: is it possible to brush your teeth before communion? But this is far from the only thing that not only beginners can ask. A lot of questions arise from the church-goers. It is worth noting that there are a huge number of near-church myths and misconceptions.

This article summarizes the answers of experienced and pious priests, gives recommendations and useful tips for beginners.

What is Communion?

How does Christ speak in the Gospel about Communion? On the eve of a terrible death on the cross, He gathers His disciples together and prepares a meal. There is bread and wine on the table. Christ says that in memory of Him they will drink wine and eat bread, since these are symbols of His blood and body.

To this day, liturgy is celebrated in churches and Holy Communion is prepared using bread and wine. The priests pray together with the parishioners with the words "Let us pray to the Lord for the offered Honest Gifts."

What is actually meant by the bread and wine in the Holy Chalice? Prayers read before Communion at home are just as necessary for a Christian as church prayers. Why is prayer needed? Because the Lord unites with the very person who calls him to himself.

What is Communion?

There are several testimonies about how Communion is actually prepared and what is hidden from human eyes under it. One day a man entered the temple. The royal gates in the temple were open. The priests stood at the altar. Suddenly, a man who came in saw the priest pierce the baby with a spear. He shouted to the whole temple: “Why are you killing a baby?” All the people standing in the temple turned around. No one could understand what kind of baby they were talking about. In fact, the priest had a prosphora in his hands (a small bread made from wheat flour and water).

The Lord invisibly and endlessly sacrifices himself for the sake of people, but not materially, but spiritually. His crucifixion was actually seen almost 2,000 years ago at Golgotha ​​in Jerusalem.

Let's return to the Gospel and to those lines where the Lord is at the Last Supper. He said: "From now on you will drink my blood (wine) and eat my body (bread) in memory of Me." But how this would happen, even the apostles did not know. Moreover, it is not given to us to know. This is a divine secret. We can only take it seriously, and as it is, without a doubt. Therefore, the prayers read before Communion are very necessary, first of all for the one who takes communion.

Another living testimony:

In the city of Lanciano (Italy) to this day there is a true proof that the Eucharist is not just bread and wine. In the Catholic Church of Saint-Legotius in the 8th century, one priest doubted that Communion was a miracle. When he picked up a piece of bread, he saw something similar to muscle tissue. He looked into the Chalice and saw that instead of wine there was blood. The priest screamed in horror. Then he realized that there was no doubt. The Lord proved to him that everything was real. To this day, this miracle is in Lanciano. Many pilgrims come to pray near such a shrine.

What does a Christian need before Communion?

Of course, first of all, the belief that he will be given to taste not just bread and wine, but the body of Christ. Of course, such a meal is a miracle. The Lord gives a piece of himself to a sinful person. Therefore, Communion must be approached not only with fear, but also with faith. You can't just partake like that.

How to treat?

Above we have considered two testimonies of the miracle of God. It is worth noting that not only Jesus Christ is in the altar during the Liturgy, but also the Mother of God, the Archangels, and saints.

No wonder the holy fathers said that angels grieve because they do not receive communion. Because they have no body, no need. They are with God. And the Lord gave man such a great gift - to unite with Himself during Communion. Let it be invisible.

*canon repentant to the Savior;

* canon of the prayer of the Mother of God;

* canon to the Guardian Angel;

*Adherence to Holy Communion.

It is all these prayers, chants, kontakia that will help to prepare properly to receive the Holy Gifts as it should be.

Posts and confessions:

Priests say that you need to fast for at least 3 days. If a person is not churched, rarely visits the temple, sins, then he needs to prepare for almost a week. That is why the best option for such people is the Great, Christmas Lent, as well as Petrov and Uspensky. But that is why it is not necessary to choose periods of many days of fasting. After all, more important is reconciliation with God, and not convenience.

What to do before Communion to someone who rarely goes to church?

Firstly, Be sure to go to the priest for confession. When the priest receives the penitents, you can find out in the church that is closer to your home or which you want to visit. Be prepared for the fact that the priest after confession may not allow you to take Communion. There could be many reasons for this. Often, in order to be admitted to communion, you need to fast, repent, visit the temple many times. Be sure to ask the priest after confession whether he blesses the approach to the Holy Chalice or not. Often the priests themselves insist that the confessor take communion. You need to take this advice.

What is the post before communion?

If you are a beginner or have not been to the temple for a long time, then be sure to go to the priest for confession. Usually, during this sacrament, many spiritual issues are resolved. The priest will explain to you what to do, what to beware of, when you can take communion.

What is meant by post?

Meat, milk can not be eaten, eggs too. In addition, dishes, products, drinks that contain the above products are not consumed. Remember that fasting should be spiritual in nature. Eat little food. For example, for breakfast - tea with oatmeal cookies or oatmeal porridge on the water, for lunch - soup on vegetable broth, for dinner - vegetable salad and rice / potatoes.

Drinking before communion, as well as during fasting, alcoholic beverages are prohibited. It is also recommended to refuse coffee. After all, the body should be a temple of the soul, a calm "home", sober and vigorous. The food is modest (not fasting), coffee and alcohol cannot in any way set you up for prayers.

Spiritual side:

Let's continue our conversation about fasting. We've dealt with food. As for entertainment, watching movies, you need to postpone all this. Any unimportant things should be replaced with prayers to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, your Guardian Angel and the saints.

Let's talk about what to read before Communion. Above we mentioned the canons and the following to Holy Communion. In addition to them, it is advised to read the Gospel, the holy fathers. Beware of taking near-church literature or that which belongs to false Christian literature.

No need to fuss while fasting. If possible, postpone things for later. They can wait. After all, earthly life is fleeting, and a fasting person needs to think about eternity.

Why such restrictions?

During the Liturgy, before the removal of the Holy Chalice, the choir sings that we (the parishioners) are leaving all earthly fuss. Not every (especially modern) person understands that sooner or later earthly life will end and everything that he worked so hard for will go into oblivion. After all, he will not be able to take his passport or his favorite job, bank accounts or a computer with valuable information with him into the afterlife. He will appear before God with his conscience, with sins and virtues. The Lord will not ask if you were a CEO, He will ask you to answer for offending a client grandmother. God doesn't care if you had a Lexus. He will ask if you brought the weak, the weak, without taking money from them.

Why restrictions in fasting in relation to entertainment?

The time has come to sit down at the table or stand in front of the icons and think: what have you done wrong in your whole life, for this period.

Is the conscience clear?

It is more important for a Christian to know not about, for example, whether it is possible to brush one's teeth before Communion, but about what sins really are and what repentance is, how not to sin. The Lord is grieved when a person commits a sin even mentally. Just think: you are mentally angry, even your heart is numb. This is also a sin. You need to repent sincerely.

When is communion not allowed?

Do you know that you need to get rid of your sins? If you have repented, you should try to avoid transgressions. In order for the priest to allow Communion, you need to attend the evening service every Saturday, then in the morning at the Liturgy. The same should be done on major church holidays. It is necessary to read morning and evening prayers according to the Prayer Book at home. Of course, it takes 20-30 minutes. If you do not have time, then you can read the Seraphim's rule: three times "Our Father", three times "Theotokos ..." and once "The Creed". But at the same time, during the day, you need to silently pray to God, to the saints. These are the most important rules.

They may not be allowed to receive Communion in such cases, for example:

*murder, abortion; divination, divination, extrasensory perception, spiritualism, astrology;

*other faith, heretical views;

* cohabitation outside of marriage, debauchery, homosexuality, drug addiction and alcoholism, and so on.

The priest needs to tell the whole truth during confession, not to hide any sin. The Lord stands by invisibly, He knows everything, only awaits repentance of the heart. If you hide something, it will be an even greater sin. You need to completely cleanse your soul before Communion.

What do the holy fathers and priests say?

The human soul must be pure, bright, with the hope of correction and change of life for the better. You should not go to the Chalice if you are not sure that you want to live with God.

If the father blessed:

When a priest gives a blessing, one should take it seriously. You should read not only the canon to the Theotokos before Communion, but also the canons to the Savior, the Guardian Angel, as well as the Follow-up. All this is in the Orthodox prayer books.

The reading space is very large. Therefore, the canons can be read 2-3 days before communion, but the Follow-up is read only the night before, after coming from the church from the evening service.

You need to make sure that no one distracts you. If you take communion with your family, friends, pilgrims, then read in turn, pray.

Morning before Communion:

As you know, Orthodox Christians cannot eat anything in the morning before Communion. Even medicines are not allowed.

But can you brush your teeth before Communion?

There is no ban on this. If you are sure that you do not accidentally swallow water or paste, you can brush your teeth.

If the stomach is sick, it is not possible to wait a long time until noon, then it is better to go to the early service. In small towns and villages, the Liturgy is served early, and in megacities - at 7 in the morning or at 9-10 o'clock.

For the sake of union with God, you can endure. It is worth reading prayers to yourself.

The morning before Communion is always exciting. You need to mentally prepare. After reading the morning rule, go to the church at least half an hour before the Liturgy to calmly submit notes, light candles, and approach your favorite saints.

Before Communion itself:

At the service, you should carefully listen to prayers. When the priests prepare the Communion, pray that you will receive the Blood and Body of Christ worthily. At the same time, a pious person should sincerely consider himself unworthy of such a Gift.

Remember the Canon of the Theotokos before Communion: you need to pray that the Mother of God will intercede for us sinners. And what does the canon of Jesus Christ say? We repent to the Lord of our sins. Keep this in mind when you wait for Communion.

The very moment of Communion:

When the Royal Doors open and the priest comes out with the Chalice, you need to bow to the ground. Then stand in line with your arms crossed over your chest. When you approach the Chalice, you need to tell the priest your Orthodox name and open your mouth wide. The sacrament should be swallowed immediately so that the particle does not get stuck in the teeth. Accept warmth and prosphora. Many people ask: “Can I eat before Communion?” Do you know why the answer is no? Because the Lord must enter the body of a Christian first. After all, God is more important to us than food.

WHAT TO SAY IN CONFESSION?

Quite often, those who decide to go to church for this sacrament for the first time think about what they need to say in confession.

It is important to understand that confession is not just a sincere conversation with a priest, but a religious ceremony aimed primarily at repentance.

In confession, it is important to be completely determined to correct your life. The realization that it has become difficult for you to live because of the commission of some sin or even several is the first step towards correction. Only after this understanding is complete should one sign up for confession.

In some situations, not only repentance after committing a sin can be a reason to go to confession. If it is difficult for you to distinguish good from bad, or life seems useless and painful, you can also come to confession, because the church is always open for those who need it.

What sins to talk about in confession:

One of the main mistakes of people who come to confession is to list all their sins in their entire lives. It is extremely important to highlight exactly why you came. Sin is an act against the church, God. This is a kind of violation of morality - one's own, someone else's, public. In Christianity, there are eight deadly sins, the fulfillment of which has serious consequences for a person - anger, sadness, gluttony, fornication, despondency, vanity, pride and avarice. In addition, there are personal sins - these are various actions against conscience and God. As a rule, a person can determine some sins only by himself; they are not spelled out in any sacred book. A sin can be that act that in every possible way burdens your life.

It doesn't matter what you bring to church. In confession, the main thing is complete repentance and an inner understanding of the deed.

What to say to a priest in confession:

Confession in Orthodoxy, as in most other religions, is a conversation with God about your misdeeds, a request for help. The priest serves only as a witness to this conversation, God's helper on earth.

Therefore, in confession, it is important to be extremely frank and not hide anything about what is bothering you. It is especially important to tell what is most bothering you at the moment, not forgetting the small things and details of the offense for which you want to repent.

You can trust a priest with your biggest secrets, because he has no right to tell anyone about your confession. Remember that you do not need to be afraid of condemnation from the church, the very fact that you have come to repentance is already a worthy deed of a believer.

Important to remember that it is not necessary to speak at confession about a sin for which you have already confessed, if it has not been committed again. And, often, confession alone will not be enough. You need to ask God in prayers for forgiveness, come to church as soon as you feel like it, honor traditions and rituals.

The Church advises that confession, like communion, should be regular. Your confessor will be able to tell you about the frequency of confession. Remember that it is the clergyman who will be your main assistant in observing church rites.

As you can see, confession is a very complex sacrament. Not everyone is ready for it. If you decide to confess, then you need to weigh the pros and cons for yourself, and your soul will tell you what to say in confession. Remember that repentance and freeing yourself from the sin you have committed is a long process that will require a lot of strength and patience from you.

INTERNAL CONFESSION.

Diseases and other troubles do not fall on a person just like that. Man is a cosmic being and develops according to the laws of not only the material, but also the spiritual world. If he violates these laws, there is an illness or some tragic circumstances that endanger life.

It is enough to eliminate these violations, and everything in your life will return to normal. This is what inner confession helps to do.

The confession has two parts:

Part one: you must remember all the times when someone greatly offended or insulted you. After all, resentment is a source of continuous flow of negative psychic energy.

Calmly remember your past life from the age of 12 (it is from this age that a person begins to bear karmic responsibility for his actions). The offender (even if this person has died) must be mentally imagined, and then hugged and kissed tightly!

Sometimes resentment reaches such strength that hugging and kissing, even mentally, does not work. In such cases, the "enemy" can be imagined as an unintelligent child of 2-3 years old. But it is necessary to hug and kiss - this is an indispensable condition of the Rescue Mechanism!

The second part: not only do you have enemies, someone, perhaps, considers you their enemy. It is possible that you yourself were a violator of moral truths.

In this case, imagine that you are on the court, and the judge is your own heart. Kneel before him and tell all your bad deeds, mistakes, vices from the age of 12. Say everything you remember - giving an account that you will not do it again.

After all, by repenting, you remove all the negativity that has accumulated over the years. If the inner confession was carried out correctly and sincerely, then recovery and deliverance from troubles will come in a hundred cases out of a hundred, regardless of the severity of the illness or the scale of the misfortune that has fallen on you. It's only a matter of time.

After an inner confession, try not to repeat your previous mistakes - otherwise misfortunes will return in double volume.

The Unified Prayer, which any person can do, regardless of their religious beliefs, will help you avoid this. This prayer, as practice shows, is able to reduce the temperature in a matter of minutes, relieve any pain.

Prayer must be done in solitude, with a lit candle, kneeling:

"God! Good God!
May Your Name be hallowed in Heaven and on Earth.
From end to end of the universe!
God! Strengthen your strength in resisting the forces of darkness, so as not only to resist it, but also to cleanse Mother Earth from this garbage.
Teach me to separate good from evil and to remain in peace and firmness of spirit, in order to worthily do Thy Will among people.
Strengthen the strength of my brothers and sisters - both close and unknown to me.
May they see Your true glory and be filled with love in their hearts.
And they will overcome the dark barriers in the movement along the Path to the Light.
And let them stretch out their hands to each other and give the immeasurable warmth of the soul.
God! May Your Will be done! And there will be One People on Earth.
He who loves his Mother - Nature, reunited with You with his love and walking along the Path of True Spiritual Development, relying on Your Last Testament.

IN THE MORNING: “Bless, Lord, on the deeds of the coming day, and may its difficulties be met as it befits those who walk under Your Light.”

IN THE EVENING: "Fill up, Lord, the lost strength for the good, in order to prepare for the meeting of the day of the future."

“I go to bed, I have the Cross seal on me. Guardian Angels! Save my Soul from evening until midnight, and from midnight until morning.

And the prayer "Our Father" three times.

Prayer is the most powerful force in the universe! The Bible says:

"Whatever you ask in prayer WITH FAITH, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22)"ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH LET IT BE TO YOU" (Mat. 9:29).