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Text Box: The Orthodox - Basilian Catechism Q. 900. Why do some Jurisdictions of the Church not give Holy Communion to the people as it does to the priest under the appearance of wine also? A. Some Jurisdictions of the Church do not give Holy Communion to the people as it does to the priest under the appearance of wine also, to avoid the danger of spilling the Precious Blood; to prevent the irreverence some might show if compelled to drink out of a chalice used by all, and lastly, to refute those who denied that Our Lord's blood is present under the appearance of bread also. These were problems which occurred mainly in the West, so Orthodox, being Eastern, as was most of the rest of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, from the beginning in Jerusalem, have not experienced these problems and thus usually receive the Precious Blood as well. Q. 901. What is necessary to make a good Communion? A. To make a good Communion it is necessary to be in the state of sanctifying grace and to fast according to the laws of the Church. Q. 902. What should a person do who, through forgetfulness or any other cause, has broken the fast necessary for Holy Communion? A. A person who through forgetfulness or any other cause has broken the fast necessary for Holy Communion, should again fast and receive Holy Communion the following morning if possible, without returning to confession. It is not a sin to break one's fast, but it would be a mortal sin to receive Holy Communion after knowingly breaking the fast necessary for it. One must also remember that the local Bishop can adjust the pre-communion fast, and often gives his Priests authority to also adjust the fast. Q. 903. Does he who receives Communion in mortal sin receive the

Text Box: body and blood of Christ? A. He who receives Communion in mortal sin receives the body and blood of Christ, but does not receive His grace, and he commits a great sacrilege. Q. 904. Is it enough to be free from mortal sin to receive plentifully the graces of Holy Communion? A. To receive plentifully the graces of Holy Communion it is not enough to be free from mortal sin, but we should be free from all affection to venial sin, and should make acts of lively faith, of firm hope, and ardent love. Q. 905. What is the fast necessary for Holy Communion? A. The fast necessary for Holy Communion in the Western Rite is the abstaining from food, alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks for one hour before Holy Communion. Water does not break the fast. In the Eastern Rite one abstains from food and alcoholic drinks from vespers of the preceeding day or from midnight, depending on the custom. Q. 906. Does medicine taken by necessity or food taken by accident break the fast for Holy Communion? A. Medicine does not break the fast; food taken by accident within the prescribed period before Communion breaks the fast. Q. 907. Is any one ever allowed to receive Holy Communion when not fasting? A. To protect the Blessed Sacrament from insult or injury, or when in danger of death, or when permitted by the Bishop, Holy Communion may be received without fasting. Q. 908. Is the Holy Communion called by any other name when given to one in danger of death? A. When the Holy Communion is given to one in danger of death, it is called Viaticum, and is given with its own form of prayer. In giving Holy Communion the priest says: "May the body of Our Lord Jesus Christ guard your soul to eternal life." In giving Holy Viaticum he says: "Receive, brother (or

Text Box: sister), the Viaticum of the body of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which will guard you from the wicked enemy and lead you into eternal life." Q. 909. When are we bound to receive Holy Communion? A. We are bound to receive Holy Communion, under pain of mortal sin, during Pascal Time (the Easter time) and when in danger of death. Q. 910. Is it well to receive Holy Communion often? A. It is well to receive Holy Communion often, as nothing is a greater aid to a holy life than often to receive the Author of all grace and the Source of all good. Q. 911. How shall we know how often we should receive Holy Communion? A. We shall know how often we shall receive Holy Communion only from the advice of our confessor, by whom we must be guided, and whom we must strictly obey in this as well as in all matters concerning the state of our soul. Q. 912. What is a spiritual Communion? A. A spiritual communion is an earnest desire to receive Communion in reality, by which desire we make all preparations and thanksgivings that we would make in case we really received the Holy Eucharist. Spiritual Communion is an act of devotion that must be pleasing to God and bring us blessings from Him. Q. 913. What should we do after Holy Communion? A. After Holy Communion we should spend some time in adoring Our Lord, in thanking Him for the grace we have received, and in asking Him for the blessings we need. Q. 914. What length of time should we spend in thanksgiving after Holy Communion? A. We should spend sufficient time in Thanksgiving after Holy Communion to show due reverence to the Blessed

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