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Should I go to church during my period?translated

October 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Reader question:

Hello, father! I don’t know what to do: I read on the Internet about menstruation, and everyone writes that you can kiss shrines and enter the church. But the priest in the church where I go has a different opinion. Moreover, he did not speak about this openly; I communicate with his daughter, who told me this. His wife has the same opinion, I talk to her too. What should I do: not venerate shrines or calmly go to church during menstruation?

Ksenia

Priest's answer:

Priest Victor NIKISHOV

God bless you!

The position of the Russian Orthodox Church on this issue was approved at the Bishops' Conference in February 2015. The document “On the participation of the faithful in the Eucharist” says:

“The canons prohibit communion in a state of female impurity (2nd canon of St. Dionysius of Alexandria, 7th canon of Timothy of Alexandria). An exception may be made in case of mortal danger, as well as when bleeding continues for a long time due to a chronic or acute disease.”

Thus, the restriction applies only to participation in the Sacrament of Communion. As for everything else - coming to the church, lighting candles, kissing...

Source: Журнал ФОМА · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (2) 🌐 Show original

Борис Илиев

The article clearly states that the canons only prohibit Communion, not entering the church or kissing icons. My priest here in Burgas also told us - you can stand and pray, just don't take communion. Ksenia, better ask your father directly, instead of through his daughter, so you don't get even more confused.

Кирил Стоянов

I understand you, Boris, and I have heard the same from a familiar priest in Varna – you can stand and pray, but without communion. Except that Ksenia mentioned that his wife and daughter think otherwise, so it's really best to ask him personally, so as not to wander between different opinions.