Tag Archives: Holy Communion

The Story of Righteous John the Hesychast of Romania

By Fr. Luke | Published: March 2, 2011

There have been people throughout history and across the world who have sustained themselves by God alone, having lived for years with neither food, shelter, nor clothing. We are far from the experience of such ascetics; however, stories of them reach us from time to time. The following account is a true story about an [...]

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The Orthodox Way of Life

By Fr. Luke | Published: October 4, 2010

Orthodoxy is not merely a ritual, or belief, or pattern of behavior, or anything else that a man may possess, thinking that he is thereby a Christian, and still being spiritually dead. It is rather an elemental reality or power which transforms a man and gives him the strength to live in the most difficult [...]

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Behavior During Divine Services

By Fr. Luke | Published: March 3, 2010

Q: “How should Christians stand in church during services, how should they pray, and what duties do they have when they go to church?” A: Christians should stand in church with faith, fear of God, and attention. They should force themselves as much as possible to pray without distraction and with feeling of heart. Also, [...]

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More on Church Attendance

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 24, 2009

Don’t be tempted to indulge yourself in not coming to church at the beginning of the service or leaving before it is over. Remember, each service is a complete unit and it can provide its full benefit only in its entirety. Just as food is tasty only when it is fully seasoned, so the service [...]

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Church Attendance

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 14, 2009

When the time comes, and especially the time put aside for God and His temple, a Feast Day or the hour of Divine Services, hurry to tear your self away from business and worldly cares and voluntarily and zealously offer yourself to God in His church. When you enter the church bring to mind the [...]

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The Virtue of Punctuality

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 5, 2009

The time to arrive for any Divine Service is before it is scheduled to begin. Sadly, it has become the custom of most Orthodox Christians to come to Church late. We are not speaking here, about occasional tardiness due to unforeseen circumstances, but the habitual practice of being late due to a lack of concern [...]

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Disposing of Religious Refuse

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 5, 2009

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 [...]

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Some Practical Reminders Concerning Holy Communion

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 4, 2009

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 [...]

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More Practical Reminders Concerning Holy Communion

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 3, 2009

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. ~Prayer of Saint Symeon the New Theologian If we approach Holy Communion with the above thoughts in mind, we will reap all of the spiritual blessings [...]

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