Holy Communion

The consummation of the Liturgy: the litany and the Lord’s Prayer, the elevation “Holy Things for the holy,” the fraction and the zeon of warm water; then the communion of the clergy and the faithful from the spoon, the preparation that precedes it and the thanksgiving that follows, and the antidoron given to all.

Tradition: Pan-Orthodox

Overview

The gifts having been consecrated in the anaphora, the Liturgy moves to its purpose: the communion of the faithful in the Body and Blood of Christ. A litany and the Lord’s Prayer prepare the assembly; the priest elevates the Lamb with the cry “Holy Things are for the holy,” breaks it in the fraction, places a portion in the chalice, and adds the zeon, the warm water. The clergy commune within the sanctuary, and then the faithful receive both the Body and the Blood together from the spoon, having prepared by fasting, prayer, and confession, and giving thanks afterward. At the end the antidoron — blessed bread — is distributed to all. This section covers the communion rite from the Lord’s Prayer to the dismissal.

Files

File Description
the-preparation-and-the-lords-prayer.md The litany, the Lord’s Prayer, “Holy Things for the holy,” the fraction, and the zeon (warm water)
the-reception-and-thanksgiving.md The communion of clergy and faithful from the spoon; preparation (fasting, confession) and thanksgiving; the antidoron and dismissal

See Also