11. Holy Communion

So now we are in the house of our Heavenly Father. What is the most important thing here? Why have we come?

To pray? Yes! according to our Lord’s words, it is a house of prayer.

To learn the word of God?—Yes!

To worship with other Orthodox Christians?—Yes!

But what is the most important thing that happens in church? Besides being a place for readers, singers, and people praying, why is our attention always drawn to the altar? What happens there? Now we will tell you—in the altar is celebrated the most wonderful service of our Church, the Holy Liturgy, where the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Lord says: “He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him.” (John 6:56) What more could we want than to abide in the Lord, and to have Him abide in us?

Then let us approach this Holy Mystery! The Lord also says: “Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:54) Don’t we all long for eternal life? This is how we receive it—by cleansing our conscience through the sacrament of Confession, and then reverendy partaking of Christs Holy Body and Blood in Holy Communion.

When we attend church with reverence, attention and faith, the wealth of grace we receive will protect us in our daily lives, as we try to keep aflame those holy feelings which we have received from the services.