Евхаристия

The Eucharist is the Sacrament in which the true Body and true Blood of Christ our God is given to us under the appearance of bread and wine, in which Jesus Christ is truly and sovereignly present... Question. “What must be observed in this Sacrament?” 1. The priest must be legally consecrated, for no one can perform this Sacrament except a bishop or a priest. 2. There must be things appropriate for this Sacrament, that is, wheat bread, leavened bread, pure, not mixed with other flour; Likewise, the wine must be natural and unfeigned and not mixed with anything, but pure in itself, neither turned into vinegar nor moldy. A little water should be poured into it at the proskomedia, according to the order set out in the Service Books. 3. The throne on which the Bloodless Sacrifice is offered must be consecrated by the bishop himself; or instead of the throne there should at least be an antimension consecrated by the bishop. For no one can consecrate the throne or antimension except the bishop. 4. During the consecration of the Gifts, the priest must have the thought and intention that the essence of bread and wine will change into the essence of the Body and Blood of Christ through the action of the Holy Spirit. Scripture declares that in the most holy Eucharist the true Body of Christ is and the true Blood of Christ is, and their Christians partake. Truly it is so. This is how the entire Holy Church believes and confesses. Be sure and affirm that there truly is the Body of Christ and His Blood in the most holy Eucharist - and this conviction will teach you with what fear, reverence and reverence you should approach this great Sacrament. People come to the royal meal with fear and preparation and reverence - will you not tremble when approaching this divine meal? Then you will not say much in prayer, but you will repeat one thing: “Lord, have mercy, cleanse, Lord, that I may not be scorched by fire, like dry hay.” For the Holy Mysteries are given to the saints, as the priest proclaims at the Liturgy: “Holy to the saints.” And here you will be amazed at the goodness of God, that the Body of Christ and His Most Holy Blood are given to us, mortal and unworthy, as spiritual food, and from your heart you will bless and thank Him for this great Sacrament of Him, and, remembering this, you will behave more correctly in your life, you will not want to defile your conscience and soul with sins, but you will try in every possible way to live as a Christian deserves. This alone will turn you away from all sin and move you towards all good. Christians approach the most holy Eucharist of the Body and Blood of Christ; This shrine is taught to the pious and saints, as the priest proclaims: “Holy to saints.” How are you approaching this great Sacrament? With what faith and conscience? Do you remember what the apostle wrote: let a man examine himself, and in this way let him eat of this bread and drink of this cup (1 Cor. 11:28)? Pay attention to yourself. It’s scary for someone who doesn’t work to start, and it’s scary to leave!