How Often Should One Commune?

by Daniel Sysoev

Every Christian gives thought to the question of how oft en one should commune. In asking the advice of various priests, one may hear opinions that discourage frequent communion by the laity, or on the contrary one may be advised to approach the Holy Chalice as oft en as possible, especially on holy days. In certain churches it has been the practice since Soviet times not to commune parishioners on Pascha and Bright Week. But what does the Church say about this? What canons and rules exist to determine the frequency with which the faithful take part in the sacrament of Holy Communion? The is booklet explains the necessity of frequent communion, presenting the reader with detailed supporting arguments from the works of the Holy Fathers and the church canons.

Paperback

Published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[James Theuer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr Daniel and his co-author should have thoroughly presented the arguments of their detractors in a more comprehensive way - I suspect the patristic evidence they marshaled was more substantial than depicted here. I agree with the conclusion, but the essays would be more convincing if the opponents were "steel-manned."