St. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM: HOLY COMMUNION HOW AND WHEN



On coming near to communicate we say to ourselves: "Behold, I approach the Divine Communion. O Creator, let me not be burnt by communicating: For Thou art Fire, consuming the unworthy. But, rather, purify me of all impurity".
Our book deals with this “holy” issue with St John Chrysostom as our guide. May his words help us so that our participation in Holy Communion shall be for “the remission of sins and eternal life”. Amen.


CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

INTRODUCTION
1. Major sins & Holy Communion in the early Church
2. Summary of St. John's teaching

SECTION I
PREPARATION
1. Respect for the Sacrament
2. Prayer & Confession
3. Reconciling with our neighbour
4. Holy Communion on Easter Sunday

SECTION II
FASTING & HOLY COMMUNION
1. ”Consecrate yourselves”
2. Fasting & Holy Communion
3. The opposing views

SECTION III
UNWORTHY PARTICIPATION
1. Sin & Holy Communion
2. ”Crucifying the Son of God”
3. The Devil and Holy Communion
4. “For this reason”

SECTION IV
WORTHY PARTICIPATION
1. “We are celebrating Easter”
2. The benefits
3. After Holy Communion

SECTION V
HOW OFTEN?
1. “Not by scorning You”
2. How often?
3. Are we worthy?
4. Struggle & Holy Communion
5. The Priest's responsibility

END NOTES


INTRODUCTION
2. Summary of St. John's teaching (pg. 17-19)


(...) In order that we may understand precisely what he meant about this specific matter, we would need to read all his relevant teachings. Otherwise we would do him injustice and slander him. “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”

He would say to faithful: “When you are about to take Holy Communion, you need to thoroughly cleanse yourself for several days beforehand.” (P.G. 62:29). Should we conclude that St John was not in favor of regular Holy Communion? Elsewhere however, he says: “How can you attend the Divine Liturgy without taking Communion?” (P.G. 48:868)

Do we now conclude otherwise, that he was in favor of daily Communion?

His main and immovable position is that we first cut off our sins and afterwards we receive Holy Communion. “You should be willing to suffer everything and do everything in order to take Holy Communion without sin.” (P.G.49:322) (...)

He was not just counselling them unconsciously, but with a suffering of the soul. He cried from the depths of his soul (imagine his pain!). “I scream and shout, plead and beseech you...” (P.G. 49:229) (...)

Upon hearing him, the faithful would become indignant. St John’s response was: “I am neither frightening nor hindering you but endeavoring to make you more eager!” 1 “I am telling you this in order to protect you and not to scare you”. (P.G. 49:390) (...). And he would explain to them that when you prepare yourselves, you approach Holy Communion with greater joy, therefore “you must gladly accept and applaud what I am telling you, and not sulk!” (P.G. 50:655).

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