Holy Communion

[سليمان]

How Often Should We Partake of Holy Communion

by Hieromonk (Staretz) Arsenius

About the Author: The Elder Arsenios of Mt. Athos was born in Russia into a merchant family. He wandered as a pilgrim for several years before entering the monastic life in Moldavia. After the death of his elder, he journeyed together with another Russian monk to the "desert" of Athos where, living a life of strict poverty, he acquired a great reputation as an ascetic and experienced spiritual guide. Towards the end of his life, he took up residence near the Monastery of Stavronikita, continuing to direct thousands of Russian monks. He reposed 24 March 1846

He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me and I in him John 6:56

What can be loftier and more desirable than these most comforting words of our Saviour in which He expresses all His love, all the boundless abyss of His compassion which is given to man in the Mystery of Communion! With what can we compare the state of a man who is united with the Lord Himself! This is the Mystery of Mysteries, so exalted that it can only be grasped in part by man's limited mind. It is sufficient for us to know that in the Mystery of Communion we are vouchsafed the greatest of God's gifts, and therefore we must by all means try to live in such a way that we may more often approach this most Holy Mystery, which the ancient Christians were vouchsafed daily

Holy Communion, strengthening our spiritual and bodily powers, also serves as an invincible weapon for us in defeating the invisible enemy of our salvation - the devil. This enemy is extremely dangerous for us. How many snares he sets out for our ruination, in which he tries with all his power to entrap us; wherever we go, at almost every step this evil spirit tries to wound us, ever trying to deceive and tempt us. We want to do good, but he lures us into evil; we want to pray, but he brings upon us foul thoughts, laziness, heaviness and so forth, taking advantage of our weaknesses and our inclination towards sin. How much care, attention to self, and self-discipline is required of us, lest this cruel spirit of malice prevail over us! He is so much the more dangerous in that he is invisible to us and is exceedingly cunning and evil. Against such a dangerous foe we must use a mighty weapon; but what can be more powerful than the most holy Mystery of Communion? In itself it is an almighty power, for in partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ we receive the Master of heaven and earth, Whose might is infinite. On the other hand, it contains within itself all the power of our great redemption which was accomplished for us by our Saviour, the fruit of which was victorious triumph over the dark kingdom of the devil

He that rarely approaches this saving Mystery is estranging himself from salvation. Even common sense can grasp the truth of this. He who receives Holy Communion often, also cleanses his conscience often in the Mystery of Confession, and in reliving his grief and contrition over the sins he has committed, he sets the saving fear of God as seal on his soul, keeping him from sin. To attain this, he must arm himself more often with good thoughts and good works which keep him from sin and draw him nearer to God. Then, according to the frequency of Communion, good dispositions and virtues acquire great power and become essential to the sol. Each of us knows from experience that frequent repetition of any thing forms a habit in us. He that repeats a sin often makes himself a slave to sin; he that strives for virtue becomes a struggler of piety. Thus, the person who partakes of Communion often necessarily acquires the disposition to serve the Lord with fervor, for he truly believes in the power of this Divine Mystery; he praises God with gladness and hope, for he truly trusts that the Lord is his helper and defender; he submits to Him with humility and love, because he truly loves the Lord Who has loved him and bestowed upon him every heavenly gift

Present-day Christians, for the most part, approach the saving Mysteries of Confession and Holy Communion once a year (in mid 19th-century Russia, and many still today) but Christians of the first centuries were vouchsafed this gift daily. From this it is evident how piety has decreased in our days, and that it will do so further in the future. One can sometimes hear people say that they avoid approaching the Holy Mysteries because they consider themselves unworthy. But who is worthy of it? No one on earth is worthy of it, but whoever confesses his sins with heartfelt contrition and approaches the Chalice of Christ with consciousness of his unworthiness the Lord will not reject, in accordance with His words, Him that cometh to Me I shall in no wise cast out (John 6:37). Others are so caught up in the vanity of the world that they find no time to prepare for Communion, or only prepare haphazardly for this most holy Christian duty. What carelessness concerning such a lofty gift of God, what negligence concerning the salvation of one's soul! Throughout the whole year they cannot set aside even a few days for the salvation of their soul, when before their eyes there are almost daily examples of sudden death. And we will not remain silent about the person who indeed approaches the Chalice of Christ unworthily. Of such people the word of God says: He that eateth and drinketh uworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body (I Cor. 11:29). Approaching this awesome mystery, we say, "Neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss." Who is it that gives the Lord the kiss of Judas? Without a doubt, it is those who, not having cleansed their consciences by heartfelt repentance, not having grieved over their sins, approach the Chalice of Christ without the fear of God, or those who, having been joined to the Lord, having been sanctified by His most holy gift and freely cleansed of their innumerable transgressions, the spawn of the spirit of malice, return again to their foul deeds, again become enslaved to Satan. Woe, eternal woe, to such people

Let us conclude our discourse on the communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ by pointing out some of the innumerable blessings which it bestows upon those who receive Communion worthily. According to the teaching of the Church (cf. the Order before and after Communion), this most Holy Mystery of the Body and Blood gives to those partaking of it worthily strengthening of joints and bones, healing of divers infirmities, health, strength, preservation, salvation and sanctification of soul and body, estrangement and cleansing of a defiled soul, preservation from every soul-corrupting deed and word, protection from every action of the devil, a rampart and aid in dispersing the enemy (i.e., evil spirits); the driving away of every fantasy, evil act and work of the devil acting mentally in our members; the burning up and utter destruction of wicked thoughts and undertakings, and of nocturnal fantasies of the dark and evil spirits; correction of life and confirmation in holiness of life, keeping of the commandments, increase in virtue and perfection, enlightenment of the senses, peace of the powers of the soul, unashamed faith, fullness of wisdom, enlightenment of the eyes of the heart, boldness and love towards God, the gift of the Holy Spirit, an increase of divine grace; the abiding in our soul of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; strengthening of life, an earnest of the future life and kingdom, provision for eternal life, a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, and communion of heavenly blessings. With a conscience cleansed by the Mystery of Confession and with a sincere desire to correct our life, let us more and more often come to partake of the Heavenly Meal given us in the Mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ, that by worthy reception of this lofty gift, we may also receive those innumerable gifts which are bestowed upon us through this great Mystery, that worthily tasting this most Holy Bread here on earth, we may be vouchsafed to partake of Christ more completely in heaven as well, and remain eternally in communion with and in the face to face vision of Jesus Christ, our Creator, Master and Redeemer, of which may we all be deemed worthy through His good pleasure and beneficence. [/b]

Translated from Athonite Leaflets, No. 105, 8th ed., St Panteleimon's Monastery, 1905

[سليمان]

How Often Should We Partake of Holy Communion

by Archpriest +++ Gregory Naumenko





This is a very important question often asked by Orthodox Christians. In considering our answer, let us turn to the words of the Elder Arsenius of the Holy Mount Athos. Elder Arsenius was born in Russia and later journeyed and stayed on the Holy Mountain in Greece where he became the director of the spiritual lives of thousands of Russian monks, having acquired a great reputation as an ascetic and an experienced spiritual guide. He reposed in the Lord on March 24, 1846. Here is what this holy man has to say about our question at hand

He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in
Me, and I in him John 6:56


What can be loftier and more desirable than these most comforting words of our Savior in which He expresses all His love, all the boundless abyss of His compassion which is given to man in the Mystery of Communion! With what can we compare the state of a man who is united with the Lord Himself! This is the Mystery of Mysteries, so exalted that it can only be grasped in part by man's limited mind. It is sufficient for us to know that in the Mystery of Communion we are vouchsafed the greatest of God's gifts, and therefore we must by all means try to live in such a way that we may more often approach this most Holy mystery, which the ancient Christians were vouchsafed daily
Holy Communion, strengthening our spiritual and bodily powers, also serves as an invincible weapon for us in defeating the invisible enemy of our salvation - the devil. This enemy is extremely dangerous for us. How many snares he sets out for our ruination, in which he tries with all his power to entrap us; wherever we go, at almost every step this evil spirit tries to wound us, ever trying to deceive and tempt us. We want to do good, but he lures us into evil; we wont to pray, but he brings upon us foul thoughts, laziness, heaviness, and so forth, taking advantage of our weaknesses and our inclination towards sin. How much care, attention to self, and self-discipline is required of us, lest this cruel spirit of malice prevail over us! He is so much the more dangerous in that he is invisible to us and is exceedingly cunning and evil. Against such a dangerous foe we must use a mighty weapon; but what can be more powerful than the most holy Mystery of Communion? In itself is is an almighty power, for in partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ we receive the Master of heaven and earth, Whose might is infinite. On the other hand, it contains within itself all the power of our great redemption which was accomplished for us by our Savior, the fruit of which was victorious triumph over the dark
kingdom of the devil

He that rarely approaches this saving Mystery is estranging himself from salvation. Even common sense can grasp the truth of this. He who receives Holy Communion often, also cleanses his conscience often in the Mystery of Penance; and in renewing his grief and contrition over the sins he has committed, he sets the saving fear of God as a seal on his soul, keeping him from sin. To attain this, he must arm himself more often with good thoughts and good works which keep him from sin and draw him nearer to God. Then, according to the frequency of Communion, good dispositions and virtues acquire great power and become essential to the soul. Each of us knows from experience that frequent repetition of any thing forms a habit in us. He that repeats a sin often makes himself a slave to sin; he that strives for virtue progresses in piety. Thus, the person who partakes of Communion often necessarily acquires the disposition to serve the Lord with fervor, for he truly believes in the power of this Divine Mystery; he praises God with gladness and hope, for he truly trusts that the Lord is his helper and defender; he submits to Him with humility and love, because he truly loves the Lord Who has loved him and bestowed upon him every heavenly gift. Present-day Christians, for the most part, approach the saving Mysteries of Confession and Holy Communion once a year, but Christians of the first centuries were vouchsafed this gift daily

From this it is evident how piety has decreased in our days, and that it will do so further in the future. One can sometimes hear people say that they avoid approaching the Holy Mystery because they consider themselves unworthy. But who is worthy of it? No one on earth is worthy of it, by whoever confesses his sins with heartfelt contrition and approaches the Chalice of Christ with consciousness of his unworthiness the Lord will not reject, in accordance with His words: "Him that cometh to Me I shall in no wise cast out" (John 6:37). Others are so caught up in the vanity of the world that they find no time to prepare for Communion, or only prepare haphazardly for this most holy Christian duty. What carelessness concerning such a lofty gift of God, what negligence concerning the salvation of one's soul! Throughout the whole year they cannot set aside even a few days for the salvation of their souls, when before their eyes there are almost daily examples of sudden death. . . And we will not remain silent about the person who indeed approaches the Chalice of Christ unworthily; of such people the word of God says: "He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body" (I Corinthians 11:29). Approaching this awesome mystery, we say: "Neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss." Who is it that gives the Lord the kiss of Judas? Without a doubt, it is those who, not having cleansed their consciences by heartfelt repentance, not having grieved over their sins, approach the Chalice of Christ without the fear of God, or those who, having been joined to the Lord, having been sanctified by His most holy gift and freely cleansed of their innumerable transgressions, cleansed of the spawn of the spirit of malice, return again to their foul deeds, again become enslaved to Satan. Woe, eternal woe, to such people! Let us conclude our discourse on the communion of the holy Mysteries of Christ by pointing out some of the innumerable blessings which it bestows upon those who receive Communion worthily. According to the teaching of the Church (cf. the Prayers before and after Holy Communion), this most Holy Mystery of the Body and Blood gives to those partaking of it worthily strengthening of joints and bones, healing of various infirmities, health, strength, preservation, salvation and sanctification of soul and body, the dispelling of sorrow. It gives joy and gladness, remission of sins, mortification of passions, enlightenment and cleansing of a a defiled soul, preservation from every soul-corrupting deed and word, protection from every action of the devil, a rampart and aid in dispersing the enemy (i.e. evil spirits), driving away of fantasies, evil acts and work of the devil acting in our members, the burning up and utter destruction of wicked thoughts and undertakings, and of nocturnal fantasies of the dark and evil spirits, correction of life and confirmation in holiness of life, keeping of the commandments, increase in virtue and perfection, enlightenment of the senses, peace of the powers of the soul, unashamed faith, fullness of wisdom, enlightenment of the eyes of the heart, boldness and love towards God, the gift of the Holy Spirit, an increase of divine grace, the abiding in our soul of God the Father, God the Son, and God the
Holy Spirit, strengthening of life, a pledge of the future life and kingdom, provision for eternal life, a good defense at the last judgment, and communion of heavenly blessings. With a conscience cleansed by the Mystery of Holy Penance and with a sincere desire to correct our life, let us more and more often come to partake of the Heavenly Meal given us in the Mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ, that by worthy reception of this lofty gift, we may also receive those innumerable gifts which are bestowed upon us through this great mystery, that worthily tasting this most Holy Bread here on earth, we may be vouchsafed to partake of Christ more completely in heaven as well, and remain eternally in communion with and being ever close to Jesus Christ, our Creator, Master and Redeemer, of which we may all be deemed worthy through His good pleasure and beneficence

From the words of the +++Elder Arsenius, it becomes clear that to ask how often one must partake of Holy Communion is a little like asking how often one must breath the air. The answer simply put is: as often as possible - given that we prepare properly for this Holy Mystery. There are, however, times during the Church year that we should make an extra effort to prepare and partake of Holy Communion

Days That Parishioners of any Parish Should Make Every Attempt To Worthily Partake Of Holy Communion

Feast of the NATIVITY OF THE MOST HOLY LADY THE
THEOTOKOS

Feast of the EXALTATION OF THE PRECIOUS AND
LIFE-GIVING CROSS

Feast of the PROTECTION OF Your Chrurch's Saint
your Parish's feast

On the Sundays when Metropolitan of your Parish
visits the Church

Feast of The ENTRY OF

THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE

At least one time during the
Nativity Fast; starts in November

Feast of the NATIVITY OF
THE LORD - CHRISTMAS

Feast of the
THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD, January

Feast of the
MEETING OF OUR LORD

Feast of the
ANNUNCIATION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

At least once during Great Lent

PALM SUNDAY

GREAT THURSDAY and GREAT SATURDAY
during Passion Week

Absolutely everybody, NO exceptions, on
PASCHA - EASTER

Feast of the
ASCENSION OF OUR LORD, 40 days after Pascha

HOLY TRINITY DAY
PENTECOST, 50 days after Pascha

At least once during the
Apostles Fast; begins one week after Pentecost

Feast of the
All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul

At least once during
the Dormition Fast

Feast of the
DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

On one's Names day
the day of your Saint or the nearest

Sunday to this day
-------------------------------------------------------------

The preceding are my own opinions and should never be taken at any time for any reason as actual advice or intelligent conversation. I am an idiot. When in doubt seek advice from a spiritual father, Thank you for understanding


In service of Christ
brother
Sulieman

[سليمان]

Frequent Reception of the Holy Mysteries is Beneficial
and Salvific

Part 1 of 2

Part II, Chapter 2 from Concerning Frequent Communion

by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite

What follows is the second of three chapters in Part II, "Concerning Frequent Communion." Take note of the other two chapter titles: "Is is necessary for the Orthodox to Partake frequently of the Divine body and blood of our Lord," and Infrequent Communion causes great harm

Both the soul and the body of the Christian receive great benefit from the divine Mysteries—before he communes, when he communes, and after he communes. Before one communes, he must perform the necessary preparation, namely, confess to his Spiritual Father, have contrition, amend his ways, have compunction, learn to watch over himself carefully, and keep himself from passionate thoughts (as much as possible) and from every evil. The more the Christian practices self-control, prays, and keeps vigil, the more pious he becomes and the more he performs every other good work, contemplating what a fearful King he will receive inside of himself. This is even more true when he considers that he will receive grace from Holy Communion in proportion to his preparation. The more often someone prepares himself, the more benefit he receives. p93
When a Christian partakes of Communion, who can comprehend the gifts and the charismata he receives? Or how can our inept tongue enumerate them? For this reason, let us again bring forward one by one the sacred teachers of the Church to tell us about these gifts, with their eloquent and God-inspired mouths.

Gregory the Theologian says

When the most sacred body of Christ is received and eaten in a proper manner, it becomes a weapon against those who war against us, it returns to God those who had left Him, it strengthens the weak, it causes the healthy to be glad, it heals sicknesses, and it preserves health. Through it we become meek and more willing to accept correction, more longsuffering in our pains, more fervent in our love, more detailed in our knowledge, more willing to do obedience, and keener in the workings of the charismata of the Spirit. But all the opposite happens to those who do not receive Communion in a proper manner. p94
Those who do not receive Communion frequently suffer totally opposite things, because they are not sealed with the precious blood of our Lord, as the same Gregory the Theologian says: “Then the Lamb is slain, and with the precious blood are sealed action and reason, that is, habit and mental activity, the sideposts of our doors. I mean, of course, by ‘doors,’ the movements and notions of the intellect, which are opened and
closed correctly through spiritual vision.” p95

St. Ephraim the Syrian writes

Brothers, let us practice stillness, fasting, prayer, and tears; gather together in the Church; work with our hands; speak about the Holy Fathers; be obedient to the truth; and listen to the divine Scriptures; so that our minds do not become barren (and sprout the thorns of evil thoughts). And let us certainly make ourselves worthy of partaking of the divine and immaculate Mysteries, so that our soul may be purified from thoughts of unbelief and impurity, and so that the Lord will
dwell within us and deliver us from the evil one

The divine Cyril of Alexandria says

That, because of divine Communion, those noetic thieves the demons find no opportunity to enter into our souls through the senses

You must consider your senses as the door to a house. Through the senses all images of things enter into the heart, and, through the senses, the innumerable multitude of lusts pour into it. The Prophet Joel calls the senses windows, saying: “They shall enter in at our windows like a thief” (Jl. 2:9), because these windows have not been marked with the precious blood of Christ. Moreover, the Law commanded that, after the slaughter (of the lamb), the Israelites were to smear the doorposts and the lintels of their houses with its blood, showing by this that the precious blood of Christ protects our own earthly dwelling-place, which is to say, our body, and that the death brought about by the transgression is repelled through our enjoyment of the partaking of life (that is, of life-giving Communion). Further, through our sealing (with the blood of Christ) we distance from ourselves the destroyer. p 96
The same divine Cyril says in another place that, through Communion, we are cleansed from every impurity of soul and receive eagerness and fervor to do good: “The precious blood of Christ not only frees us from every corruption, but it also cleanses us from every impurity lying hidden within us, and it does not allow us to grow cold on account of sloth, but rather
makes us fervent in the Spirit.” p97

St. Theodore the Studite wondrously

Describes the benefit one receives from frequent Communion
Tears and contrition have great power. But the Communion of the sanctified Gifts, above all, has especially great power and benefit, and, seeing that you are so indifferent towards it and do not frequently receive it, I am in wonder and great amazement. For I see that you only receive Communion on Sundays, but, if there is a Liturgy on any other day, you do not commune, though when I was in the monastery each one of you had permission to commune every day, if you so desired. But now the Liturgy is less frequently celebrated, and you still do not commune. I say these things to you, not because I wish for you simply to commune—haphazardly, without preparation (for it is written: ”But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the Bread, and drink of the Cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body and blood” [1 Cor. 11:28–29]). No, I am not saying this. God forbid! I say that we should, out of our desire for Communion, purify ourselves as much as possible and make ourselves worthy of the Gift. For the Bread which came down from heaven is participation in life: ”If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (Jn. 6:51). Again He says: ”He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him” John 6:58
Do you see the ineffable gift? He not only died for us, but He also gives Himself to us as food. What could show more love than this? What is more salvific to the soul? Moreover, no one fails to partake every day of the food and drink of the common table. And, if it happens that someone does not eat, he becomes greatly dismayed. And we are not speaking here about ordinary bread, but about the Bread of life; not about an ordinary cup, but about the Cup of immortality. And do we consider Communion an indifferent matter, entirely unnecessary? How is this thought not irrational and foolish? If this is how it has been up until now, my children, I ask that we henceforth take heed to ourselves, and, knowing the power of the Gift, let us purify ourselves as much as possible and partake of the sanctified Things. And if it happens that we are occupied with a handicraft, as soon as we hear the sounding-board calling us to Church, let us put our work aside and go partake of the Gift with great desire. And this (that is, frequent Communion) will certainly benefit us, for we keep ourselves pure through our preparation for Communion. If we do not commune frequently, it is impossible for us not to become subject to the passions. Frequent Communion will become for us a companion unto eternal life. p98
So, my brothers, if we practice what the divine Fathers have ordered and frequently commune, we not only will have the support and help of divine grace in this short life, but also will have the angels of God as helpers, and the very Master of the angels Himself. Furthermore, the inimical demons will be greatly distanced from us,

asthe divine Chrysostom says
Let us then return from that Table like lions breathing fire, having become fearsome to the devil, thinking about our Head (Christ) and the love He has shown for us…. This blood causes the image of our King to be fresh within us, it produces unspeakable beauty, and, watering and nourishing our soul frequently, it does not permit its nobility to waste away…. This blood, worthily received, drives away demons and keeps them far from us, while it calls to us the angels and the Master of angels. For wherever they see the Master’s blood, devils flee and angels run to gather together…. This blood is the salvation of our souls. By it the soul is washed, is made beautiful, and is inflamed; and it causes our intellect to be brighter than fire and makes the soul gleam more than gold....Those who partake of this blood stand with the angels and the powers that are above, clothed in the kingly robe itself, armed with spiritual weapons. But I have not yet said anything great by this: for they are clothed even with the King Himself. p99
Do you see, my beloved brother, how many wonderful charismata you receive if you frequently commune? Do you see that with frequent Communion the intellect is illumined, the mind is made to shine, and all of the powers of the soul are purified? If you also desire to kill the passions of the flesh, go to Communion frequently and you will succeed. Cyril of Alexandria confirms this for us: “Receive Holy Communion believing that it liberates us not only from death, but also from every illness. And this is because, when Christ dwells within us through frequent Communion, He pacifies and calms the fierce war of the flesh, ignites piety toward God, and deadens the passions.” p100

Thus, without frequent Communion we cannot be freed from the passions and ascend to the heights of dispassion; just as the Israelites, if they had not eaten the passover in Egypt, would not have been able to be freed. For “Egypt” means an impassioned life, and if we do not frequently receive the precious body and blood of our Lord (every day if it be possible), we will not be able to be freed from the noetic Pharaonians -- that is, the passions and the demons

According to Cyril of Alexandria, As long as those of Israel were slaves to the Egyptians, they slaughtered the lamb and ate the passover. This shows that the soul of man cannot be freed from the tyranny of the devil by any other means except the partaking of Christ. For He Himself says: ”If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John. 8:36). p101
Again St. Cyril says, “They had to sacrifice the lamb, being that it was a type of Christ, for they could not have been freed by any other means.” p102

So if we also desire to flee Egypt, namely, dark and oppressive sin, and to flee Pharaoh, that is, the noetic tyrant (according to Gregory the Theologian), [103] and inherit the land of the heart and the promise, we must have as our general (as the Israelites had Joshua [Jesus] the son of Nun as their general) our Lord Jesus Christ through the frequent reception of Communion. This way we will be able to conquer the Canaanites and the strangers, which are the disruptive passions of the flesh, and the Gibeonites, which are deceptive thoughts, in order that we may be able to remain in Jerusalem, which is interpreted “sacred peace” (as opposed to the peace of the world), as our Lord says: “My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (Jn. 14:27). That is to say, My own peace I give to you, O my disciples, the sacred and holy peace, not the peace which is of the world, which oftentimes looks also to wickedness

Remaining in that sacred peace, we will be deemed worthy to receive inside our heart the promise of the Spirit, just as the Apostles remained and waited in Jerusalem, according to the command of the Lord, and received the perfection and grace of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. And peace is a charisma which attracts all of the other divine charismata; and the Lord dwells in peace, as the Prophet Elias says, for God was neither in the powerful and strong wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but in the gentle and peaceful breeze. p104

However, without the other virtues, one cannot acquire peace. And virtue cannot be achieved without keeping the commandments. And no commandment is perfected without love, and love is not renewed without divine Communion. Wherefore, without divine Communion, we labor in vain

Many obtain a variety of virtues on their own, thinking that they can be saved by these without frequent Communion, which is however fundamentally impossible. For they do not want to be obedient to the will of God and commune frequently, according to the norm of the Church, when they come together
at every festive Liturgy

To such people, God says through the Prophet Jeremiah: “They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water” (Jer. 2:13). That is to say, ”They left Me, God, Who is the fount of the life-giving water, namely, the virtue and charismata of the Holy Spirit, and they dug out for themselves wells full of holes, which cannot hold water.” He again says through the Prophet Isaiah

Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and Thou seest not? Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and Thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness. Ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? Is. 58:2–5

That is, ”They sought Me daily and desired to learn the wisdom of My providence, as if they were some righteous people which kept the ordinances of God. And they say: ‘Lord, why did You not see us when we fasted? Why do You not want to know that we underwent such hardship?’” And God answers: I do not hear you. For whenever you fast, you continue to do your wicked will. I do not want such a fast, nor such hardship. And even if you were to spread sackcloth and ashes on the ground beneath you like a bed, still I would not accept such a fast

However, when labors and virtues are done according to the will of God, then are they acceptable to Him and beneficial. The will of God is that we do whatever our Lord commands, Who says to us: “Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life” (John. 6:54). This is not only a commandment, but the chief of all of the commandments, for it is constitutive of
and perfects the rest of the commandments

To be continued in Part 2 of 2