Two questions for the Orthodox

[Pope_Noah_I]

1. How much emphasis do the EO place on the Eucharist?
2. How much emphasis do the EO put on human reason?

 

[bogoljub]

1. How much emphasis do the EO place on the Eucharist?
2. How much emphasis do the EO put on human reason?

God bless !

The Eucharist, what should I tell u - it is the centre of our spiritual life. To eat Christs flesh and to drink his blood and to be united with him …it is the heart of orthodoxy, all the prayers and services are centered around the Divine Liturgy the Mystery of Mysteries ! We are very strict in preparing worthy to receive the Most Holy Communion, we have to fast and go to confession, we have to read all the prayers for communion and after, we should be pure and cleansed when we receive Christ, to become a cleansed Temple for him. What a blessing, what a mystery the Christians are eating their God !

In CHRIST

 

[paradoxy]

1. How much emphasis do the EO place on the Eucharist?

It is only the center of our lives. Bogoljub answered well. We prepare to receive with fear and trembling.

1. How much emphasis do the EO put on human reason?

Not all that much, actually. Our reason is part of our God-created being - a good and necessary part, but one that needs balancing with the other parts.

 

[Marina14]

1. How much emphasis do the EO place on the Eucharist?

It’s the center of our spiritual life. Before one can receive Holy Communion in an Orthodox Church one has to be prepared - each Church has different preparation guidelines - most common would be making an appointment with the priest of the Church and he may give 3 days of strict fast (or maybe a week or longer, depends on the priest) & Confession before one can receive in his Church. There are certain prayers (takes about an hour) before Orthros and Divine Liturgy as well as prayers one prays after Divine Liturgy (also about an hour). One has to maintain the “black” fast of no drink or water from Midnight the night before one receives. Also must obstain from sexual relations with their spouse for a day or so before and after reception. Many priests require Confession before each reception. When priest’s give the Holy Eucharist, they say, “The servant of the Lord, “Marina”, receives the Body and Blood…” - priest’s only give Holy Communion to those they personally know and they call us by name.

Receiving the Most Holy Eucharist is serious business and the monastics are constantly calling us laity into frequent reception of the Eucharist.

1. How much emphasis do the EO put on human reason?

Human reason can get people in trouble with their spiritual life although nothing that the Orthodox Church believes or teaches is against true human reason; however, more emphasis is placed on the actual spiritual experiences of the monastics. On Mount Athos today we have monks whose faces shine brightly with the uncreated light of God just as Moses face had to be covered to prevent blindness of his followers.

 

[bpbasilphx]

The issue of the Eucharist has been adequately taken care of by others.

Keep in mind that the Cult of the Eucharist (Benediction, et al) is not part of Orthodox piety.

As for the use of human reason, the writings of the Fathers are excellent examples of human reason enlightened by the Holy Spirit. But remember that human reason by itself goes only so far.

 

[bogoljub]

God bless !

Gregory the Theologian says:

When the most sacred body of Christ is received and eaten in a proper manner, it becomes a weapon against those who war against us, it returns to God those who had left Him, it strengthens the weak, it causes the healthy to be glad, it heals sicknesses, and it preserves health. Through it we become meek and more willing to accept correction, more longsuffering in our pains, more fervent in our love, more detailed in our knowledge, more willing to do obedience, and keener in the workings of the charismata of the Spirit. But all the opposite happens to those who do not receive Communion in a proper manner. [94]

From the canon for Holy Communion:

When Coming to Partake of Holy Communion say these verses of Symeon Metaphrastes:

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.

Then again say:

Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Thine enemies; nor will I give Thee a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief do I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom.

Furthermore, these lines:

Be awe-stricken, O mortal, beholding the deifying Blood;

For It is a fire that consumeth the unworthy.

The Divine Body both deifieth and nourisheth me.

It deifieth the spirit, and wondrously nourisheth the mind

Another Prayer of Chrysostom
I believe, O Lord and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Moreover, I believe that this is truly Thy most pure Body and this is truly Thine Own precious Blood; wherefore I pray thee: Have mercy on me and forgive me my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, whether in word or deed, in knowledge or in ignorance. And vouchsafe me to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries, unto the remission of sins and life everlasting. Amen.

If thou desirest, O man, to eat the Body of the Master,

Approach with fear, lest thou be burnt; for It is fire.

And when thou drinkest the Divine Blood unto communion,

First be reconciled to them that have grieved thee,

Then dare to eat the Mystical Food.

Before partaking of the Awesome Sacrifice

Of the life-creating Body of the Master,

After this manner pray with trembling.

IN CHRIST

 

[StMarina303ad]

1. How much emphasis do the EO place on the Eucharist?

The Most Holy Eucharist is central to life as Christians.