An Orthodox source…but others will know more about the Orthodox Churches and thus will certainly be able to further elucidate
.
pravmir.com/article_660.html
Extract:
"In 601, St. Augustine of Canterbury, the “Apostle of England,” (@604) wrote to St. Gregory and asked whether menstruating women should be allowed to go to church and receive Communion. I shall cite St. Gregory’s response at length:
A woman should not be forbidden to go to church. After all, she suffers this involuntarily. She cannot be blamed for that superfluous matter that nature excretes…She is also not to be forbidden to receive Holy Communion at this time. If, however, a woman does not dare to receive, for great trepidation, she should be praised. But if she does receive she should not be judged. Pious people see sin even there, where there is none. Now one often performs innocently that which originates in a sin: when we feel hunger, this occurs innocently. Yet the fact that we experience hunger is the fault of the first man. The menstrual period is no sin; it is, in fact, a purely natural process. But the fact that nature is thus disturbed, that it appears stained even against human will – this is the result of a sin…So if a pious woman reflects upon these things and wishes not to approach communion, she is to be praised. But again, if she wants to live religiously and receive communion out of love, one should not stop her.[61[/COLOR]]"
Any woman who is Orthodox, for their own peace of mind, can speak to their priest regarding the question.
In any case, Cristy, you are free to receive Communion in the Roman Catholic Church whether or not you have your monthlies. (Goodness, if not, my own country’s first Saint would hardly ever have been able to receive Communion as the poor woman had heavy periods every fortnight until the blessed relief of menopause!)
). She studied closely with the great liturgical scholar Fr. Archimandrite Robert F Taft. Her scholarship, and his, is always amazing.