When we receive the Immaculate Mysteries, we should always make sure that the communion cloth is held carefully under our chin, that our head is slightly tilted back and that our mouth is opened well enough in advance for the Priest to place the Spoon in it easily. We then close our lips on the Spoon as the Priest communes us, and allow him to draw the Spoon out, with our lips closed, thus wiping the Spoon clean. We should never pull our heads away while the spoon is still in our mouths. We then carefully wipe our lips on the communion cloth and reverently withdraw from the Holy Chalice to take the Antidoron.
The most critical concern for us when we commune is to make certain that we do nothing that might accidentally tip or knock the Holy Chalice or Spoon from the Priest’s hand. As well, when we partake of the Antidoron, we should be very careful not to let any crumbs drop to the floor.
After the final blessing, the Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving are read by the Readers. If we have been accounted worthy to receive the Immaculate Mysteries, we stay quietly in the Church contemplating the Mysteries of God and His mercy, as the prayers exhort us to do. We should refrain from greeting friends and acquaintances until after we have left the Church proper. The Priest is still consuming the Mysteries which remained and is cleaning the Chalice. Our Lord is still present in the Altar. An atmosphere of quiet reverence, therefore, should always be maintained within the Church.
Many adults are already aware of these basic rules of piety however it is important that they also teach them to their children.
Disposing of Religious Refuse
As a general rule, things that are blessed or otherwise considered “holy” are never to be thrown away. They are to be disposed of properly and respectfully, usually by burning. The following is a brief summary of how various holy things should be properly disposed of.
Holy Communion: Any porous material that gets Holy Communion on it must be burned, including any clothing. Mothers and fathers should keep a cloth diaper or something similar over their shoulder in case their child spits up after Communion. The cloth is then be given to the Priest to be burned. Any non-porous material that gets Holy Communion on it should be given to the Priest to be carefully cleaned thrice with soap and water.
Other things that are to be burned: Old paper/wooden icons, wooden crosses, palms/pussy willows; Tissue/paper towel that has been used to wipe Holy Chrism, Holy Unction Oil, or anointing oil (from vigil); Tissue/paper towel that held Prosphora/Antidoron and has crumbs on it or which was used to trim/clean vigil lamps.
Note: Please do not keep items to be burned in a closed plastic bag. This holds in moisture and causes mold and decay. Also, some people have the practice of burning/burying remnant scraps of blessed Pascha food, cups/spoons use for kollyva, stems from blessed grapes, etc. This is not a church rule and need not be done.
Other: Holy water can be poured into potted houseplants or onto a garden or wooded area in a location that is not walked over; Antidoron crumbs or flowers from the chapel can likewise be put into a non-trodden area.
There is a small, brass can in the back of the chapel which is reserved for the items listed above. Feel free to place any of your religious refuse in to be burned and disposed of properly. Please do not use this can for any other refuse.