How often...

[Father H]

See here we go...people, ethnic, geographic,tradition, i belive do it diffrently.

Fasting for me (personaly) lasts a week, with varying degrees as sunday approaches.

For example:
Mon - wed = NO MEAT
Thur = NO FISH (and no meat)
Fri = NO EGG & DAIRY (and no fish or meat)
Sat = NO OIL (and no dairy, egg, meat, of fish) -this is the hardest day for me.
BTW: Sat night 6 p.m. until receiving, nothing goes in your stomach. I understand others do this at midnight,

I would be very interested to find out how others fast for communion?

Our priest told us that the above regime is the yiayia fasting protocol that was (past tense) followed during the days of the Ottman Empire. It is definitely more strict than the Mt. Athos fasting protocol.

WHAT!!!

Are you all saying what im doing is not necessary?

ok so i understand correctly, then when you guys say that you fast from midnight, you mean that you eat no food from mid night Saturday until you receive comunion?

So basically the fast is from saturday midnight until you go to church and receive comunion on sunday morning.

If thats the case~THEN~~~I demand a refund/credit for what i have been doing all my life!

Waaaaaa

It is forbidden to do xerophagic fast (from oil) on all saturdays except Great Saturday.  There is one exception--penitents.  If you have been abstaining regularly from Communion for the most part, then you are by definition of the canons in the category of epitimia, so you need no refund.   This whole subject has been dealt with on other threads.   But of course, we have to tread over the same territory over and over and over and over again.        

[Schultz]

this is so enlightening.

We/I just cant get over the fact that the "Greek orthodox archdioces of america" recommends on its web site...

and i qote "On the morning before going to the Divine Liturgy to receive Communion we do not eat or drink anything"

So all nowa days that is asked it to "not eat breakfast"!<<<<--This is not fasting!

Thats like going to the docdor to have a blood test?!?!?!?

Its very sad actually.

I think i hijacked this thread too much, sorry. i will start a new one after i read the link to another thread provided by Irish hermit.

Just cant get over how our church had deteriorated.

I would imagine that this is based on the American diet of Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner and then nothing after that last meal and going to sleep before midnight. 

If you assume your congregation is following this very popular diet/sleep schedule, reminding people to not eat breakfast before coming to DL is basically saying, "Don't eat after midnight the night before."

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

I try to recieve every Sunday.

I am not worthy, every Sunday.  I'm never worthy of recieving Christ.    When I receive Holy Communion, I can feel a change in myself.  It's very hard to explain, but I feel Him in my heart. 

When I don't receive communion, I feel absolutely offal.  I feel more tired, I get sick, and I start to get an attitude where I really don't care about anything.  I don't know how people can go without Him for more than a few weeks, I would literally die.

EDIT: I once stayed at a monastery where there was liturgy everyday, as well as confession.  I only spent three days there, but to be able to confess and receive Christ every day was absolutely wonderful.

[Achronos]

I try to recieve every Sunday.

I am not worthy, every Sunday.  I'm never worthy of recieving Christ.    When I receive Holy Communion, I can feel a change in myself.  It's very hard to explain, but I feel Him in my heart. 

When I don't receive communion, I feel absolutely offal.  I feel more tired, I get sick, and I start to get an attitude where I really don't care about anything.  I don't know how people can go without Him for more than a few weeks, I would literally die.

EDIT: I once stayed at a monastery where there was liturgy everyday, as well as confession.  I only spent three days there, but to be able to confess and receive Christ every day was absolutely wonderful.

Which monastery were you at?

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

I try to recieve every Sunday.

I am not worthy, every Sunday.  I'm never worthy of recieving Christ.    When I receive Holy Communion, I can feel a change in myself.  It's very hard to explain, but I feel Him in my heart. 

When I don't receive communion, I feel absolutely offal.  I feel more tired, I get sick, and I start to get an attitude where I really don't care about anything.  I don't know how people can go without Him for more than a few weeks, I would literally die.

EDIT: I once stayed at a monastery where there was liturgy everyday, as well as confession.  I only spent three days there, but to be able to confess and receive Christ every day was absolutely wonderful.

Which monastery were you at?

The one up in Lake George with only one nun.  My old Spiritual Father used to be the chaplain, and he took me with him when he served there once a month.  It was a great experience.

It's not too far from you.  You should go if you have a chance, you'll love Mother Cassiana.

[Dominika]

For me it's obvious to receive Holy Communion on the Great Feasts and very frequently during fasts and on some "usual" Sundays. Of course it would be very beneficious and proper to receive every Sunday (if you fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays and you prepare yourself by the canon before Communion and fasting from midnight), but in my case, I've just began the journey to the salvation in Orthodoxy, so I know I have to work on my patience and not to do everything at once. I have to wait more time to be able (well, maybe it's not proper word) to receive every Sunday during non-fasting periods.

 
When I don't receive communion, I feel absolutely offal.  I feel more tired, I get sick, and I start to get an attitude where I really don't care about anything.  I don't know how people can go without Him for more than a few weeks, I would literally die.

I have similar feelings... After receiving the Eucharist, I really experience the grace of God and I'm more able to see my sins and fight with them. And I realize then I'm the part of the Church which is the Body of Christ.

[mabsoota]

hi james rottnek, the fast of ninevah (or jonah) was started by the syriac orthodox church (i think in the 300's) and then taken on by other orthodox churches. it commemorates how the people of ninevah fasted for 3 days following the preaching of jonah. the story is found in the book of jonah in the old testament.
we also fast and pray, asking God to forgive our sins. it comes about 2 weeks before the start of great lent.
 

[Hamartolos]

I try to recieve every Sunday.

I am not worthy, every Sunday.  I'm never worthy of recieving Christ.    When I receive Holy Communion, I can feel a change in myself.  It's very hard to explain, but I feel Him in my heart. 

When I don't receive communion, I feel absolutely offal.  I feel more tired, I get sick, and I start to get an attitude where I really don't care about anything.  I don't know how people can go without Him for more than a few weeks, I would literally die.

EDIT: I once stayed at a monastery where there was liturgy everyday, as well as confession.  I only spent three days there, but to be able to confess and receive Christ every day was absolutely wonderful.

I too have noticed this myself.  It is much easier to fall into complacency and sin when not having the strength of Christ within us.

[Orthodox11]

...do you participate in the Holy Eucharist?
In the first centuries, the Eucharist was in the center of life of every christian. It was a manner on which every of them confirmed that he is a member of the Body of Christ.

At every liturgy I attend, provided I've been able to prepare myself properly.

[JamesRottnek]

hi james rottnek, the fast of ninevah (or jonah) was started by the syriac orthodox church (i think in the 300's) and then taken on by other orthodox churches. it commemorates how the people of ninevah fasted for 3 days following the preaching of jonah. the story is found in the book of jonah in the old testament.
we also fast and pray, asking God to forgive our sins. it comes about 2 weeks before the start of great lent.
 

Thank you.

[Tags:]

OrthodoxChristianity.net > Moderated Forums > Liturgy (Moderator: arimethea) > Topic: How often...