How Do You Receive Communion In The Orthodox Church?

Orthodox Christians believe that the bread and wine consecrated during Communion transforms into the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. Here's how to properly receive Communion in the Orthodox Church. Approach the priest to receive Communion only if you are a baptized Orthodox Christian. The Orthodox church does not allow Christians baptized in other denominations to receive Communion. Ask a priest about converting to Orthodoxy if you want to receive Communion in the church and actively participate in parish life. To convert, you must become a catechumen and attend classes on church history, dogma and theology. You will learn the significance of the sacrament of the Eucharist and how to properly participate. Confess your sins to a priest or bishop. After your confession, the priest will instruct you about prayer and repentance. A priest can temporarily restrain a communicant from the chalice, in essence suspending Communion privileges. This is not meant as a punishment, but as an ...  more