You’re ready when you’ve examined your heart, confessed your sins, and approached the cup with both longing and reverence. That’s the short answer. The longer answer is that readiness for Communion isn’t about achieving perfection, it’s about being honest with God and yourself.
First, the basics. You must be an Orthodox Christian, received into the Church through baptism and chrismation. Communion isn’t open to visitors or inquirers, no matter how sincere. This isn’t about being exclusive or unwelcoming. It’s that the Eucharist is the fullness of union with Christ and His Body, the Church. You can’t be in full communion with something you haven’t yet joined.
Beyond that, readiness is less about checking boxes and more about the state of your soul.
The Heart of the Matter
St. Paul writes that anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the Lord’s body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That’s serious. So we examine ourselves. Are you harboring unforgiven grudges? Living in unrepented sin? Treating the Liturgy like a weekly routine instead of standing before the living God? These things matter.
Regular confession is part of this. How regular depends on your priest’s guidance and your own spiritual state, but if your conscience is troubled, go to confession before communing. Some people confess weekly. Others monthly. The point isn’t a rigid schedule but an honest relationship with your spiritual father and with God.
You should also be keeping the fast. That means nothing to eat or drink from midnight if Liturgy is in the morning. If you’re working night shift at one of the plants and you get off at six in the morning, talk to your priest. Health issues, pregnancy, nursing, these all affect fasting, and your priest can guide you. The Church is a hospital, not a courtroom.
The Practical Stuff
The night before or the morning of Communion, pray the pre-communion prayers. You’ll find them in most Orthodox prayer books. They’re prayers of repentance and longing, asking God to make you worthy to receive Him. They help focus your heart.
Arrive at Liturgy on time. If you walk in after the Gospel reading without good reason, you probably shouldn’t commune that day. The Liturgy isn’t something you drop in on for the last fifteen minutes. You’re preparing to receive Christ, that takes participation in the whole service.
And reconcile with people. If you’ve got ongoing conflict with your spouse, your kids, your coworker, you need to address it. You can’t approach the cup while nursing anger or refusing to forgive. Jesus is pretty clear about that.
When You’re Not Sure
Sometimes you just don’t know if you’re ready. Your conscience nags at you, or you feel distant from God, or you’re struggling with something you can’t seem to shake. Talk to your priest. That’s what he’s there for. He might tell you to commune anyway, trusting in God’s mercy. He might suggest waiting and coming to confession first. He knows you and can help you discern.
There’s no shame in not communing on a given Sunday. Better to step back and prepare properly than to approach carelessly. St. John Chrysostom says we should come with fear and trembling, because we’re receiving fire. Fire sanctifies the worthy and burns the unworthy.
But don’t let fear keep you away indefinitely. Some people get so worried about being worthy that they never commune. That’s not humility, that’s pride in reverse. None of us is worthy. We come because Christ invites us and because we need Him. The thief on the cross wasn’t worthy either, but Christ promised him paradise that very day.
Communion isn’t a reward for good behavior. It’s medicine for sick souls. If you’re repentant, if you’re trying (even if you keep failing), if you long for Christ and are willing to be honest about your sins, then come. Bring your broken heart and your empty hands. That’s what He wants.
Talk to your priest about your specific situation. He’ll help you establish a rhythm of confession and communion that fits your life and your spiritual state. And remember, preparation for Communion isn’t just what you do Saturday night. It’s how you’re living Monday through Friday, whether you’re praying at home or dealing with traffic on I-10 or trying to love difficult people. The whole Christian life is preparation for union with God.
