Confession and Communion
A helpful article on how to execute both
As a rule, priests accept confessions in some enclosed spaces within the walls of the church (for example, in our church, a separate room, an office), to the entrances of which confessants line up. While waiting for their turn to see the priest, one should behave calmly and reverently, spending time reflecting on their sins and paying attention to the service being conducted in the church.
Before entering the room where the priest takes confessions, it is customary to make three prostrations before the icons with the prayer "God, be merciful…", and then, without making the sign of the cross, bow to the ground to the people standing in the church with the words: "Forgive me for Christ's sake". In response, they bow at the waist and say: "God will forgive." Upon entering the priest's presence, the confessor bows four times to the ground (prostrations) before the Holy Gospel and the Honorable Cross lying on the analogion, with the prayers: "God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me (bow), Thou hast created me, Lord, have mercy on me (bow), I have sinned immeasurably, Lord, have mercy and forgive me, a sinner (bow)," "Receive me, Lord, as I repent, and have mercy on me" (bow).
Here, let's recall a very important action of the confessor during the confession itself, which is almost completely forgotten and not practiced nowadays. When the confessor confesses his sins (or the spiritual father asks him), and if there is a sin committed, then the confessor bows to the ground (without the sign of the cross) to the Holy Gospel and the Honorable Cross for each sin, with heartfelt contrition addressing the spiritual father with the words: "I am a sinner (or 'sinful'), forgive me for Christ's sake, honorable father." However, if the answer to a question should truthfully be no, i.e., not sinned in that matter, then the confessor humbly standing responds: "By the grace of God have I been preserved." The use of this rite during Confession intensifies the effect of the Sacrament of Repentance, attracts God's grace to the confessor, allowing them to repent more wholeheartedly and completely of their sins. And in the future – after confession – to gain more resolve and strength to resist sin.
After talking with the priest (at the end of confession), the penitent again bows three times to the ground to the Holy Cross and the Gospel with the prayer "God, be merciful," and then asks the priest for a blessing to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
When a person repentant of sins leaves the priest, they perform the same waist bows as when they entered for confession. The people respond to the bow directed at them with: "With a pure repentance."
The next morning in the church, Communion hours, Ponovlenie, and a general conclusion of Confession with the reading of absolution prayers are performed for those going to receive Communion. In these services, all bows are at the waist, but there are also several prostrations (for example, after "It is truly meet"). Then the service begins.
Here, for the sake of salvation and edification, let us also mention the proper behavior when receiving Holy Communion (usually during Great Lent and other fasting periods). Faithful Christians who are deemed worthy (after Confession) to partake of the Holy Mysteries should recite the rule of Communion throughout the week. On the eve and on the day of Communion, it is necessary to pray the Rule for Holy Communion, which includes the Canon Rule, Communion Hours, the Communion Canon, and Prayers for Holy Communion, as well as the entire daily cycle of worship - Vespers, Compline, Midnight, Matins, Hours, and Divine Liturgy. During Midnight or Hours, and in some churches after the exclamation "Holy things for the holy," communicants venerate the icon of the Mother of God.
As the Royal Doors open, communicants approach the ambo and, after the exclamation "With the fear of God and with faith draw near," bow to the ground (without making the sign of the cross), listen to the Forgiveness read by the deacon (or the cantor), then rise and with their hands crossed over (fingers of both hands joined in two fingers, right hand over left), and attentively listen to the prayers read by the priest.
At the end of the prayers, the deacon or priest calls: "Prostrate to the Body and Blood of Christ," and all communicants, having made the sign of the cross, bow "to the ground" to the Holy Mysteries. They then approach the Holy Chalice in order: infants, boys, girls, maidens, men, and women (first the clergy, then the rest, in order, as they stand in the church during prayer).
Approaching the Chalice, the communicant makes the sign of the cross (without bowing) with the Jesus Prayer and again folds their hands crosswise. Having received with the fear of God the Most Holy Gifts – the Body and Blood of Christ – the communicant makes the sign of the cross with the Jesus Prayer and kisses the lower edge of the base (foot) of the holy Chalice.
After this, the communicant goes to a table, usually located behind the left choir, on which there is the vessel with warm water added to it and a dish with prosphora. By the table stands someone from the pious Christians with a clean towel, so the communicants can wipe their lips after partaking of the prosphora and warm water. This towel cannot be used for other purposes. After washing, its water should be poured into a secluded place or a church well, where the water from the baptismal font is drained.
At the end of the Liturgy, all communicants should listen with deep attention to the thanksgiving prayers.
"With the reception of the Holy Mysteries, for the body's health and the soul's salvation!" - the communicants are congratulated. They respond: "Christ save you." (Which is to say, “thank you” in the proper manner" -tr.)
On this day, the meal should be modest and moderate, preferably without alcoholic beverages. Every effort should be made on this day not to spit and to avoid involuntary emissions from the mouth until the communicant has slept. After receiving the Holy Mysteries, it is appropriate to remain more in silence, with grateful feelings and contemplative prayer.
