Is it possible to smoke before communion?

How to prepare for confession and communion?

There are several requirements that clergy speak about to people who want to confess and receive communion.

The person must be an Orthodox Christian who has been baptized by a legitimate priest. In addition, it is important to believe and accept the Holy Scriptures. There are various books through which a person can learn about faith, for example, the Catechism.
When figuring out what you need to know before confession and communion, it is worth pointing out that it is necessary to remember evil deeds starting from the age of seven or from the moment of baptism, if this happened in adulthood. It is important to point out that you cannot mention the sins of others to justify your own actions.
A believer must make a promise to the Lord that every effort will be made to no longer make mistakes and do good.
In a situation where sin has caused damage to loved ones, then before confession it is important to make every possible effort to make amends for the committed act.
It is equally important to forgive existing grievances to people yourself, otherwise you should not count on the Lord’s condescension.
It is recommended to develop a habit for yourself every day, for example, before going to bed, to analyze the past day, bringing repentance before the Lord.

Fasting before confession

There are no direct prohibitions regarding whether it is possible to eat food before the sacrament of confession, but it is recommended to abstain from food for 6-8 hours. If you are interested in how to fast before confession and communion, then you must adhere to a three-day fast, as permitted products include: vegetables and fruits, cereals, fish, baked goods, dried fruits and nuts.

Prayers before confession

One of the important stages of preparation is reading prayer texts, and this can be done both at home and in church. With their help, a person carries out spiritual cleansing and prepares for an important event. Many Orthodox believers assure that in order to prepare for confession, it is important to read prayers, the text of which is clear and known, thanks to which you can get rid of disturbing thoughts and gain understanding of the upcoming ritual. The clergy assure that you can even ask for your loved ones who are about to confess and receive communion.

How to write down sins before confession?

Many people misunderstand the need to list their own sins, even using “lists.” As a result, confession turns into a formal listing of one’s own mistakes. The clergy allow the use of notes, but these should only be reminders and only if a person is really afraid of forgetting something. When figuring out how to prepare for confession, it is worth pointing out that it is important to understand the term “sin” as an act that is contrary to the will of the Lord.

There are several tips on how to write sins before confession in order to fulfill everything according to the existing canons.

First, you need to remember the offenses that concern the Lord, for example, lack of faith, using superstitions in life, turning to fortune-tellers and creating idols for yourself.
Rules before confession include indicating sins committed against oneself and other people. This group includes condemnation of others, neglect, bad habits, envy, and so on.
It is important when talking with clergy to discuss only your own sins, without inventing special church language.
When confessing, a person should talk about really serious things, and not about trifles.
When figuring out how to properly prepare for confession and communion, it is worth pointing out that a believer should try to change his life before going to an individual conversation in church. In addition, you need to try to live in peace with the people around you.

Is it possible to drink water before confession?

There are many prohibitions regarding such important and responsible events in the life of a believer as confession and communion. It is believed that, as a preparation, it is necessary to refrain from taking food and liquid for at least 6-8 hours. It is important to note that before confession, only people who need to wash down medications important for life are allowed to drink water. If a person drank water before communion, he should tell the clergyman about it.

Is it possible to smoke before communion and confession?

There are different opinions expressed by clergy on this topic.

Some believe that if a person smokes for a long time, it will be difficult for him to quit the bad habit, and there are cases when this is dangerous. In their opinion, cigarette addiction cannot be a reason for denial of confession and communion.
Other clergy, answering the question regarding whether it is possible to smoke before confession and communion, are categorical, arguing that if it is difficult for a person to abstain from tobacco before this important event, then it is difficult to talk about the triumph of the spirit over the body.

Is it possible to have sex before confession?

Many religious people misperceive sexual relations, considering it something dirty and sinful. In fact, sex is an integral part of a marital relationship. Many priests are of the opinion that husband and wife are free individuals, and no one has the right to enter their bedroom with their advice. Sex before confession is not strictly prohibited, but if possible, abstinence will be useful to maintain the purity of body and soul.

Islam

Islam has fundamental differences from Christianity, but in terms of harmful addictions, religion takes a similar position.

Muslim attitude towards smoking

There is no direct mention of cigarettes and nicotine in the Koran, but there are indirect interrelated prohibitions:

It is said that God's messenger forbids bad and nasty things. Tobacco consumption, which is harmful to the body and others, is certainly included in this group.

The Prophet Muhammad urged not to cause loss or damage. This also means causing harm to one’s own health. This is contrary to the norms of Muslim morality.

The Koran says: “Do not kill yourselves, do not taint your insides with forbidden things, do not kill each other.” But nicotine slowly kills, destroying the body.

Spending material resources on things that are harmful is also prohibited by the Koran.

The Muslim community responds with a ban on whether it is possible to smoke cigarettes during fasting. However, opinions differ about the rest of the time. Some people think that smoking is makrooh, that is, a sin, but not a serious one. But still, the majority classify this as haram, a serious forbidden sin. During Lent, debates about smoking flare up especially hotly. And the arguments of the majority turn out to be more convincing.

Considering the passages from the Koran, tobacco consumption is certainly a sin. Smokers during Lent seriously violate the tenets of Holy Scripture.

Is it possible or not to smoke during Lent?

Muslims have stricter rules than Orthodox ones. During the day, those who fast are completely limited in food, water, intimacy, various pleasures, alcohol and smoking. Accordingly, on the question of whether it is possible to smoke while fasting, the clergy answer negatively.

Ramadan is the most important month for Muslims. This is one of the pillars on which Islam is founded.
Uraza takes place on any day. The strictest hours for Eid and Ramadan are from sunrise to sunset.

There are heated debates about whether it is possible for a smoker to fast. It has a beneficial effect on mental and physiological state. On the other hand, without renouncing sins it is impossible to fully cleanse yourself. You need to think about how to quit smoking before fasting in order to become a true Muslim.

Smokers during Lent commit a sin because they do not follow the commandments of the Prophet Muhammad.

According to Islamic teachings, the body does not belong to man, but is the property of the Creator - Allah. Accordingly, people are responsible for it before the Almighty. Any actions related to deliberate destruction will definitely have to be held accountable in the future.

Angels accompanying people suffer from the unpleasant smell of cigarettes. Tobacco can scare them away. And at the moment of death, the Angel will not be there; Satan will take advantage of the situation and take you to Hell.

In the article we told you why you should not smoke during Lent. Then the faithful must decide what to do next. According to the judgment of famous Russian clergy, smoking is haram. And opposing opinions are justified by weakness of will or are spread by tobacco manufacturers.

Sincerely, Amanda Harshman!

Is it possible for a smoker to receive communion?

I am a heavy smoker. I heard that smoking is not allowed after Holy Communion. I can’t quit myself, no matter how hard I try. Conscience torments and does not allow one to begin the Sacrament. What should I do? Help. Yuri

Archpriest Mikhail REZIN, rector of the Znamensky Cathedral in the city of Ardatov, Nizhny Novgorod region, confessor, answers:

Today, many come to church in adulthood, having serious sins behind them. Naturally, there are many smokers both in the juvenile colony, which I care for, and among the pupils of our center. In an antisocial environment it is difficult not to smoke. Many, having begun to confess and receive communion, want to quit. Sometimes, when I see that a person is already suffering morally from his smoking, I suggest that in confession he make a vow to God before the Cross and the Gospel not to smoke for six months. But this is a very big responsibility for a priest. After all, if a person, succumbing to emotions, makes a vow, and then breaks down, he may weaken in faith. It's my fault. That's why I don't often suggest that smokers take a vow, but only if I see the determination to stick to it. Some not only survived, but got a taste for it and quit completely. But, I repeat, a vow to God is too serious to advise every smoker. As a rule, I advise during evening confession not to smoke before the morning service and for at least an hour or two (if it turns out to be more - great!) after communion. You are right about one thing - lighting a cigarette immediately after communion is wild and strange. But can't you last even an hour? Leave your cigarettes at home in the morning, and after the service, try to take a walk in a quiet place (it’s good if there is a forest or park nearby), and think about the eternal while walking. Most likely, at this time you will not have the desire to smoke - the grace of God will work. And maybe over time, with God’s help, you will be able to get rid of this bad habit. But the fact that you, having the desire and need to receive communion, do not receive communion is wrong. I guess that you don’t even confess, otherwise the priest would have explained this to you during confession. Therefore, I wish you to prepare and come to confession as quickly as possible. Only a priest can excommunicate a person from communion for some time and assign penance. A layman’s unauthorized excommunication of himself from communion is unacceptable.

Is it possible to smoke during fasting?

Smoking tobacco, as well as drinking alcoholic beverages in significant quantities, is a riotous activity that is unacceptable during fasting.

Smoking tobacco, among other things, is equated with acts pleasing to the devil, and therefore is actually prohibited, regardless of the presence of fasting.

Thus, the answer to the question whether it is possible to smoke during Lent, and even more so, whether it is possible to smoke during Lent, will be clearly negative. After all, Lent is one of the strictest of the year.

Is it possible to smoke during Lent before communion?

Before taking communion, it is also practiced to refuse a number of types of foods, that is, to fast. It is worth knowing that the main essence of any such abstinence is not the replacement of some products with others, but the renunciation of worldly joys for the sake of spiritual good. Therefore, the question of whether it is possible to smoke during Lent before communion is, to say the least, illogical. If a person is unable to give up tobacco for the period of abstinence before communion, then one can hardly speak of the triumph of the spirit over the body.

It is worth noting that at the moment, most priests, when asked whether it is possible to smoke during Lent, recommend, if not completely, then at least partially giving up this bad habit during Lent, thereby demonstrating a desire to limit oneself from sinful aspirations.

Taking into account the above information, the answers to the questions whether it is possible to smoke during Lent and whether it is possible to smoke during Lent before communion will be negative. Taking into account the softening of modern morals, even if there is information regarding the violation of this prohibition, the priest will not prevent the violator from participating in the sacraments, but for a person striving to live in accordance with the Commandments, giving up smoking and alcohol should be one of the first steps.

The article was written based on materials from the sites: www.orthedu.ru, www.pravmir.ru, krugznaniy.ru.
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Christianity

Mentions of smoking herbs and the topic of smoking during Lent can be found in ancient scriptures. The concepts were called there by different words, but their meaning was unambiguous - negative.

Christianity's attitude towards smoking

Saint John of Kronstadt compared the decay of a cigarette with the burning of hellish fire. He called for giving up the habit before leaving this life, so that sin would not prevent one from entering the Kingdom of God. There are words in the sacred scriptures that tobacco smoke takes up space in the soul, displacing God’s grace from there.

The clergy of our generation are no longer so clear about whether it is possible to smoke during Lent. Of course, most of them talk about the impossibility of smoking while fasting, about the inevitability of punishment. But there are also those who do not see this as a particular problem, citing Greece as an example. Orthodoxy is practiced there, close to traditional, but smoking is allowed during Lent. There are even smoking areas on the church grounds.

Parable: “Rev. A merchant once offered Silouan a cigarette. He refused. The merchant insisted, saying that it helps to take a break from work and relax. Silouan advised him to pray every time before lighting a cigarette. To which the merchant was surprised: “Prayer before smoking is not appropriate.” “It is better not to do any matter in front of which prayer comes with embarrassment,” answered Silouan.”

Is smoking a sin or not?

Almost all ministers consider cigarettes during Lent a major offense. They say that this sinful pleasure has a destructive effect on the body, destroying it from the inside.

It is said in scripture that man is the temple of God, the destruction and ruin of which will certainly be punished by the Almighty.

Opinions of current church ministers:

Prot. P. Gumerov: “It is not advisable to celebrate the Sacrament of Communion if you are allowed to smoke while fasting. This is a big sin. Tobacco is contraindicated before Communion, before Baptism, and confession. You can get rid of harmful influences with God's help. Faith will definitely help those who want to get rid of the “infection.”

Priest V. Dukhanin: “Nicotine destroys, torments, causes illness, and harms others. How can one not consider it a sin after this?! This is a sin against oneself."

Priest D. Shishkin: “I confess that I suffered from smoking in my youth. He threw it, but some kind of passion was looking for the moment, forcing him to smoke again. This is a real sin."

Is it possible or not to smoke during Lent?

What should smokers do during Lent? Is it possible to smoke during Lent if you have your intentions, but have not yet managed to get rid of the habit?

Great Lent has the greatest significance in the life of a Christian. In 2021, it will begin on March 11 and end on April 27. In 2021 it ended on April 7, before Easter.
Peter's Fast begins a week after Trinity and ends on St. apostles Peter and Paul. The duration is different in each year.
The Dormition Fast is as strict as the Great Fast. Relaxations are allowed only on weekends. Lasts 2 weeks.
The Nativity fast is not strict, except for the last week before Christmas. Lasts 40 days.

Church abstinence is intended to cleanse the soul and body. You need to pray often and confess your wrongdoings. During fasting, smoking is prohibited; you also need to give up food of animal origin, limit your consumption of sugar and fried foods. But this is not only diets, but also spiritual cleansing.

Therefore it is prohibited:

argue;
celebrate noisily, have fun;
dance, sing;
drinking alcohol;
fulfill marital duty.

Smoking is not permitted during fasting. The use of marijuana, other smokable herbs, hookah and anything else related to sinful inclinations is also prohibited. It is not recommended to indulge in sinful passions on Forgiveness Sunday, as well as on the eve of major holidays, and the night before fasting.

Why can't you smoke during Lent?

During Lent, smoking is regarded as an action pleasing to evil forces. If you can’t quit smoking during Lent, the church attributes this to the machinations of evil, which prevents the triumph of the spirit over the body.

There has always been a lot of talk about smoking in this post. Previously, priests could punish for this:

force you to read the Canon of Repentance or other prayers repeatedly;
prescribe care for the sick or elderly;
help in the improvement or repair of the temple.

These are different times. However, it is recommended to go to confession to a priest and ask for help.

Should a smoker fast?

Modern secular society is quite loyal to smoking. Of course, sales restrictions and smoking bans in public places are being introduced. When asked whether it is possible to smoke while fasting, the priests respond negatively. But they cannot ban it completely. No one forbids fasting, and the doors of the church will never be closed to smokers. Unless, of course, they smoke on the temple grounds.

Abstinence helps cleanse the soul and body. One of the stages is quitting smoking.

Weak citizens, due to insurmountable psychological and physiological dependence, cannot quit smoking before Lent. Do not forget that this is a sin, and you will have to pay with your own health, and in the future you will have to answer to the Creator. It is recommended to at least limit the amount of tobacco as much as possible.

How to quit smoking during Lent?

The easiest time to quit smoking is on the day of Lent. Then there will be the strongest motivation. For a true believer, it is more effective than medications and well-known methods.

If you can quit smoking during Lent, then this is a real feat, the main step towards spiritual and physical cleansing. Sincere prayer before the image of Christ can help at a difficult moment.

There are many ways to quit smoking during Lent, but they boil down to one thing - ask God for help, be confident in His actions.

Video taken from channel: propovedi.su

Some people, in order not to smoke during Lent, smoke a few cigarettes the day before, and leave the pack empty the next morning. The next morning you need to ask the saints in front of the icon to give you enough strength to overcome your deadly addiction. It will be hard at first, but the results will be worth it.

Conclusion

Smoking is, of course, prohibited during Lent. Especially those who consider themselves true Christians. Now many citizens fast based on opportunities, employment, and health. They do not know whether it is possible to smoke during Lent or not, and are not interested in other restrictions. We do not condemn them, but it is also difficult to call them truly believers.