Confession and Communion in Great Lent
Today, when the number of those who observe fast,increases year by year, there is a growing debate about whether it is necessary at this time to adhere to all the requirements of the Church or the restrictions in food is enough to cleanse the soul and body. Very many, according to the clergymen, making a decision to observe fasting, substitute concepts. For "lay people" fasting in most cases turns into a diet. Meanwhile, the introduction of restrictions in nutrition (although this process is undoubtedly useful for the body) is only one of the components of this post. Explaining the rules of its observance, the servants of the church say that fasting, in the religious sense, is only "pleasing to God" when the restrictions in eating are combined with prayer and repentance. The most significant elements of the post are confession and communion.
What is it?
Confession is the confession of one's sins, telling them about it to the priest as a sign that the decision was made not to sin in the future.
Repentance is repentance in perfect sins and a recognition of the desire to redeem them.
That is, a person consciously making a decisionTo observe fasting, according to the laws of the church, must purify at this period of its life not only the body (not the "fast") but also the soul, through the realization of the "unrighteousness" of one's actions and the development of a new model of behavior so as to "not sin" henceforth.
For the fasting, this is a very important stage. And to him, according to church laws, it is necessary not only to approach with all responsibility, but also to prepare in a special way.
How to prepare yourself for confession
First, in order to be admitted to the sacraments of confession and repentance, it is necessary to be a baptized Christian, because according to the canons only those who are baptized are admitted to God.
Secondly, when preparing to go to confession, it is necessaryremember (or even write down, in order not to forget anything and not to miss) all the unseemly deeds committed in life and realize that, no matter how good a goal is caused by this or that "sinful" act, the fault for it lies solely on who he did it. There are no "villains" and "insurmountable circumstances" that have prompted or forced to do so. The decision is made by the person himself and, therefore, is responsible for what he has done only himself.
Thirdly, having realized and "remembering" all the perfectsins, it is necessary even before going to confession, to try to "redeem" the guilt. For example, if someone has offended someone - ask for forgiveness, stole something - return it and so on.
And, fourthly, we must sincerely forgive all those who are guilty before you, "not to keep a stone in your bosom", not to save grievances. Only those who forgave their "enemies," the Scripture says, God forgives their sins.
How to prepare for the sacrament
The person who decided to go through the sacramentCommunion, should, the priests instruct, be prepared. Namely: observe a strict fast for at least three days, read the Bible and prayers. And before you go to the sacrament, be sure to attend the evening service in the church and confess.
And after the communion, having cleansed spiritually, to create a good deed.
