As often as you’re properly prepared and attending the Divine Liturgy. That’s the short answer. But if you’re coming from a Baptist or non-denominational background where you took communion quarterly or monthly, or from a Catholic parish where you went up every week without much thought about it, you’ll want to understand what “properly prepared” means and why Orthodox practice looks the way it does.
The early Christians received Communion constantly. Daily in some places. Every Sunday at minimum. The Synod of Antioch actually penalized people who showed up to Liturgy but left without communing. Think about that. The assumption was that if you’re there, you’re receiving. Anything else seemed strange.
Over the centuries that changed. By the Middle Ages, many Orthodox Christians were communing rarely, a few times a year, maybe once. Fear crept in. People worried so much about being worthy that they stayed away. The medicine became something to avoid rather than the source of healing.
In the last century or so, we’ve been recovering the earlier practice. Most Orthodox theologians and pastors now encourage frequent Communion. Metropolitan Kallistos Ware writes about this. So does Fr. Alexander Schmemann. The consensus is clear: if you’re prepared, you should receive.
What Does Preparation Look Like?
Here’s where it gets practical. Three things matter.
First, fasting. You fast from food and drink from midnight before Liturgy. Some parishes say from Vespers the night before. Your priest will tell you what’s expected. This isn’t about earning anything. It’s about approaching the Eucharist with intention, with your body and soul aligned in anticipation.
Second, prayer. The Church gives us a “Service Before Holy Communion”, a set of prayers you say Saturday evening or Sunday morning. You’ll find these in the back of most Orthodox prayer books. They’re beautiful. They’re also long if you’re not used to them. Don’t panic. Your priest can help you work up to the full rule. Start somewhere. Read the prayers. Mean them.
Third, confession. This is where things get individual. If you’ve got serious unconfessed sin, you need to go to confession before communing. If you’re at odds with someone in the parish, reconcile first. Beyond that, your priest will guide you. Some parishes expect confession before every Communion. Others have a more flexible approach. Ask.
The Antiochian Archdiocese provides pre-Communion prayers and expects your parish priest to give you specific guidance. That’s important. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Your spiritual father knows you. He knows where you are in your journey. Trust his direction.
The Practical Reality in Southeast Texas
Most Antiochian parishes here encourage you to receive every Sunday you attend, assuming you’re prepared. That means you fasted. You prayed. You’re not harboring grudges or living in open sin. You’ve been to confession recently enough that your conscience is clear.
If you work offshore on a two-weeks-on, two-weeks-off rotation, talk to your priest about how to maintain a rhythm of preparation and reception. If you’re traveling for work and miss Liturgy, don’t beat yourself up. The goal isn’t legalism. It’s communion with Christ.
Some converts get anxious about this. They want a rule. “Tell me exactly how often.” But the Church doesn’t work that way. We’re not Baptists with a quarterly schedule or Catholics with an obligation to go once a year. We’re being healed. You take medicine when you need it and when the doctor says you’re ready for it.
Your priest is that doctor. He might tell you to wait a bit longer between communions while you work on something. He might encourage you to come more often. Listen to him.
Why Frequency Matters
The Eucharist isn’t a reward for good behavior. It’s not a prize you earn by fasting hard enough or saying enough prayers. It’s Christ Himself, His actual Body and Blood, given for the life of the world. For your life.
When you stay away out of fear or false humility, you’re refusing the medicine. When you approach carelessly, without preparation, you’re treating the holy things as common. Both are problems.
St. Basil the Great communed multiple times a week. The early Church expected it. We should too, with the understanding that preparation matters and pastoral guidance matters.
If you’re new to Orthodoxy, start by talking with your priest this Sunday. Ask him what he expects. Tell him where you are spiritually. Let him help you establish a pattern that’s sustainable and healthy. You’ll probably find he’s more encouraging about frequent Communion than you expected, and more patient about your preparation than you feared.
The cup is there. Christ is there. Come prepared, and come often.
