A child’s first communion is a big event in the life of not only the baby himself, but also his parents. And, of course, this is a reason for questions, doubts and, in a sense, anxiety. After all, it is a well-known fact that people take communion in church with red wine.
Of course, many parents feel nervous about this, because few people would want to give alcohol, even in small quantities, to their own child. Particularly strong doubts plague those who plan to baptize an infant and, accordingly, take part in the sacrament of communion.
Parents are often plagued by questions related to the hygiene of the procedure. The sacrament of communion does not imply the use of individual utensils, even for the smallest ones. No less often, questions arise about whether it is necessary for children to participate in the Eucharist after the baptismal rite? Are these sacraments inextricably linked?
What is baptism? Is it possible to give communion to unbaptized children?
Baptism is the very first, main and main rite in the life of a Christian. Only after its completion do other sacraments become available for participation and, first of all, of course, the Eucharist. Accordingly, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to give communion to a baby without baptism will be negative. Of course, adults who have not gone through this ritual are not allowed to take communion. This rule is very categorical and there are no exceptions to it.
Questions about whether it is possible to give communion to unbaptized infants often arise among people who know little about Christian traditions, but who try to visit churches. They are usually justified by the thesis that children are sinless, and accordingly, they can be admitted to church sacraments. However, it is not. For a person who has not gone through the rite of baptism, regardless of his age, there is not the slightest sense in communion. In other words, for a baby who has not been baptized, the Eucharist will become just a swallowed spoonful of wine.
The meaning of the ritual is not only that a person considers himself a Christian, but also in his spiritual rebirth. During this sacrament, all previously committed sins are washed away with water. It is as if a person dies to his former existence and is reborn by the Holy Spirit for a new, righteous life.
In this regard, modern parents, who, as a rule, were not raised in Christian traditions, often have questions about the advisability of baptizing newborns. In the Orthodox tradition, there are no age restrictions for performing this ritual. There is a special meaning attached to the baptism of infants - it is a sign that the parents will raise and raise the child in the Christian tradition.
Communion of children is the concern of parents
Communion of children is the most important part of spiritual life and raising a child as an Orthodox Christian.
Christ said: “Let the children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such is the Kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it. And he embraced them, laid his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:14 – 16)
Orthodox parents try as often as possible to bring their child to the Savior through Communion. The participation of children in church sacraments also creates a strong moral foundation for the individual. In the future, this will serve as a strong support for the formation of moral values and spiritual development of children.
What is the sacrament?
The Eucharist or communion is one of the most important Christian sacraments. It consists of eating pre-blessed bread and drinking wine. Accordingly, the bread symbolizes the body of the Lord, and the wine symbolizes the blood of Jesus.
The meaning of this sacred rite is that those who participate in it are united with God in Christ. Communion is necessary for a Christian to save his soul and gain eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
This sacrament was established not by the clergy, but by Jesus himself during the Last Supper. This is described in all the Gospels, which, as we know, were written by Christ’s disciples, the apostles. The background to the establishment of this sacrament, according to the Gospel written by John, was the miracle of the multiplication of loaves.
In theology, the Eucharist is given the following meaning: man was expelled from Paradise and became mortal through food, and by participating in the sacrament, he atones for this original sin. In other words, through the sacrament a Christian receives eternal life.
Communion occupies a central place among the sacraments of the Church because it expresses union with God and allows believers to share in the great sacrifice of Jesus.
What is Communion
Communion (Eucharist) is the main Sacrament in Orthodoxy, during which a person, through partaking of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, is united with God. “Body and Blood” is not a figurative expression.
“Eucharistic bread is the medicine of immortality, the guarantee of non-dying in eternal life in Jesus Christ” (Eph. 20).
According to the dogmas of the Orthodox faith, bread and wine are in an incomprehensible way to the human mind into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. For a Christian, spiritual life without the Eucharist is unthinkable. Therefore, every Orthodox parent tries to unite their children with Christ through Communion.
For a person far from the teachings of the Church, this seems incomprehensible and impossible. However, this is not a matter of rational knowledge and factual evidence. This is a matter of faith, it is through the eyes of faith that this Great Sacrament is revealed. The Sacrament of Communion was established by Jesus Christ himself at the Last Supper. The Lord took the bread, blessed it and, distributing it to the apostles, said: “Take, eat: this is My Body.” Then he took a cup of wine and, giving it to the apostles, said: “Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Communion of a child
"Substances of the Sacrament." What is communion given in church?
For many modern parents who were not raised in Christian traditions, the question of what they give their babies communion with is extremely relevant. The composition of what is in the communion cup worries many of them much more than the spiritual meaning of the sacrament being performed.
Traditionally, bread and wine are used for the sacrament, as Jesus himself established during the Last Supper. In Orthodox Orthodox churches, special bread – leavened bread – is used as a symbolic body of the Lord. It is called "prosphora".
Wine, symbolizing the blood of the Lord, is diluted with hot or warm water in Orthodox churches. But this is not done everywhere. For example, in Armenian churches wine is not diluted with water.
What wine is used when performing the sacrament?
Often, when parents ask questions about how babies are given communion in church, there is an interest in the type of wine. This is really important, since this drink, even when diluted, can cause an allergic reaction in a newborn.
As a rule, in most Russian churches, fortified dessert wines made from red grape varieties, for example, Cahors, are used to celebrate the sacrament of communion. However, the use of just such wines is not at all an unshakable rule.
Each locality has its own traditions of what wine will symbolize the blood of the Lord during the sacred rite. For example, in Greek churches they often give communion to parishioners with white wines or a mixture of them with red ones, while in Georgia “Zedashe” is traditionally used.
Accordingly, those parents who, for some personal reason, need to know what communion is given to babies in church should talk with the priest serving in the church where they plan to share the sacrament with their baby. There is no need to be shy about asking questions to clergy, especially if they are dictated not by idle curiosity, but by fears or doubts.
How children receive communion in church
The first time the baby is brought to communion is 2 weeks after the baptism ceremony. Such mothers with babies are allowed to the sacrament first. If the baby is too capricious or is tormented by gas, it is permissible not to stand in the church throughout the liturgy, but to come directly to receive the bread and wine.
Children before they turn 7 years old receive communion without going through confession, from the age of 7 - only after a conversation with a priest, so that the sacrament does not turn into a formal procedure. Wine and bread are taken on an empty stomach, so children over 3 years old should exclude breakfast, but only if the baby is completely healthy. After the child reaches the age of 7 years, you can refuse dinner on the eve of communion.
As a rule, the sacrament occurs at liturgies, so parents need to know the schedule in advance so that the baby does not suffer for a long time waiting, since it is difficult for children with their energy to stand in one place for a long time. The communion itself in the temple occurs as follows:
- The priest brings out the Cup of wine and prays over it.
- The parishioners also say the same prayer, asking the Lord to bless the wine.
- Small children are held in their arms, older ones stand near their parents.
- The priest approaches each baby in turn and says the words: “The servant of God is receiving communion (the child or godparents say the baby’s name).
- Very young children are given holy water instead of Cahors, and older children - on the tip of a teaspoon of wine.
How soon after baptism do children receive communion?
In Orthodoxy, there are no rules prescribing when and how infants receive communion after baptism. There is not even a single tradition accepted among the people. In Rus', christenings were held both on the 8th day after birth and on the 40th. The baby could have been baptized on any other day.
After completing the rite of baptism, a person, regardless of his age, is allowed to participate in the sacrament of the Eucharist. There is no schedule regulating the number of participles or the intervals between them. Accordingly, if adults are guided by the dictates of the soul or the instructions of the priests before participating in the Eucharist, then in matters of when and how infants receive communion, the final word remains with their parents.
Is it necessary to give communion to children? At what age should this be done?
There is a very widespread misconception that baptized babies must be given communion. This is not true at all. The sacrament of baptism does not impose an obligation on the parents of the child to bring him to the Eucharist. There are no regulations or decrees regulating the age at which infants receive communion in church. The decision on the participation of a newborn in the sacrament is made by the parents of the child. The priest can only explain to them the meaning of the rite of communion and tell them why they need to participate in it. A clergyman cannot force a person to take the Eucharist.
In pre-revolutionary times, when religion was an integral part of the life of every Russian, questions about when and how infants received communion after baptism and whether this should be done were not relevant. People came to church services, of course, young mothers had children in their arms. At the end of the prayers, all parishioners lined up for communion. Accordingly, the priest gave communion to both the child and his mother, as well as other people present in the temple.
That is, questions about the age at which infants receive communion did not arise, because the Eucharist was a traditional, integral and natural part of life. Newborn children who had been baptized received communion together with their mothers. Of course, there was no schedule for the frequency of participles either. At least once a week, on Sundays, newborns participated in the Eucharist, of course, if their parents attended the service.
In modern conditions, not all parents can afford to attend Sunday services every week. Not everyone understands why infants should receive communion. Church ministers do not oblige parents of newborns to participate in the sacrament. Even if the baby is in the arms of his father or mother, only adults can receive communion. Moreover, you don’t have to get up for communion at all. But when refusing to participate in the Eucharist with a child, we should not forget that a person’s habits are formed in his earliest childhood, when he is just beginning to learn about the world.
Why is Children Communion necessary?
Among baptized but unchurched parents there is a widespread belief that a child should be given communion “so that he doesn’t get sick,” “for healing,” “from the evil eye,” “so that everything is fine.” This is a deep misconception. Of course, God preserves and protects his beloved children, but Communion is a great Sacrament. By receiving communion, a child unites with God and is filled with joy, which in turn leads a person to true happiness. The sacrament can be seen as medicine and vital food. But medicine and food are not only for the body, but primarily for the soul. Communion is the unity of a person with God; it is vital for the spiritual healing of a person and the salvation of the soul.
“May the Lord forgive you your sins, just do not refuse to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ more often - this is the great help and mercy of God.” (Reverend Ambrose of Optina).
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Are there any differences between communion for children and adults?
Often parents believe that the way infants receive communion after baptism is not hygienic. It is better to take care of the baby and bring it to the Eucharist at an older age. Many are also confused by the fact that the blood of Christ symbolizes an alcoholic drink.
Indeed, no special conditions are provided for the participation in the sacrament of newborns, as well as older children. That is, the baby will be given communion with the same spoon and the same drink as other parishioners.
The only difference between participation in the Eucharist for adults and children is that children are not given the body of the Lord, since babies will not be able to eat the bread that symbolizes it. The prosphora is given to the mother or father of the baby, the child himself receives only a spoonful of the Lord’s blood.
Of course, the place in line for the body and blood of the Lord plays a big role in how infants are given communion in church. Parents with babies in their arms are always allowed to participate in the sacrament first.
A family, even in the most difficult times, is a “small Church” if at least a spark of desire for good, for truth, for peace and love remains in it, in other words, for God; if it has at least one witness of the faith, its confessor. There have been cases in the history of the Church when only one single saint defended the truth of Christian teaching. And in family life there are periods when only one person remains a witness and confessor of the Christian faith, a Christian attitude to life. The times are gone when one could hope that church life and the traditions of folk life could instill faith and piety in children. It is not within our power to recreate the general church way of life. But it is now that we, believing parents, have the responsibility to educate our children in a personal, independent faith.
The communion of infants, who cannot yet have any understanding of the Sacrament, is very closely related to the attitude towards infants, the example of which Christ gave us: “... children were brought to Him, so that He would lay His hands on them and pray; the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said: Let the little children come and do not hinder them from coming to Me, for to such is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:13-14).
In other words, Jesus Christ showed that physical communication, physical closeness to Him is just as real as mental, intellectual communication, and that infants’ lack of understanding of the “truths about God” does not in any way hinder their real closeness “with God.” And for centuries, Orthodox mothers brought their babies to church and gave them communion, and no one was embarrassed when the squeaks and cries of babies were heard in the church.
There comes a time, around the age of two, when a child, especially if he is not used to receiving communion, must somehow be explained what Communion is and what they will do with him in church. It seems to me that there is no need to be clever here, but it is enough to say: “Father will give you communion...” And gradually, from the attitude of the adults towards the child who is a communicant, due to the fact that on this day they try to dress him in a festive way, the child begins to understand that communion is a joyful, solemn, holy event.
By the age of three or four, you can and should begin to clearly explain to children the meaning of the sacrament of Communion. You can tell children about Jesus Christ, about His Nativity, about how He healed the sick and fed the hungry. And so, when He knew that he would soon die, He wanted to gather with his disciple friends for the last time and have dinner with them. And when they were at the table, He took the bread, broke it and gave it to them, saying: “This bread is I myself, and when you eat this bread, I will be with you.” Then He took the cup of wine and said to them: “In this cup I give myself to you, and when you drink from it, I will be with you.” This is how Jesus Christ gave communion to people for the first time and said that all who love Him should also receive communion this way.
As children grow up, we need to explain to them not only the gospel events with which the sacrament of Communion is associated, but also what it means in our lives for us, now. What does it mean in the life of a Christian to partake of the Holy Mysteries? During the Liturgy we bring our gifts to God - bread and wine. Bread and wine are our food and drink. A person cannot live without food and drink, and our, so simple, gifts mean that we offer God our very life as a gift, in gratitude. When explaining to children the meaning of the sacrament of Holy Communion, you can tell how the priest prepares our gifts; cuts out particles from the brought prosphora bread, one particle - “Lamb” - for communion, another in honor of the Mother of God, particles in honor of all the saints and in memory of the dead and living, for whom he is asked to pray.
We all - both children and adults - are brought up in understanding the meaning of the Liturgy as we delve more and more into every exclamation, every action of the service, every chant. This is our best school, one that lasts our entire lives, and our task as parents is to develop in children an interest in the meaning of what they see and hear in church.
We have a responsibility to teach children how to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. Of course, we must distinguish the most essential from the less essential. We, parents, must teach our children how to approach Communion: folding their hands on their chest, not crossing themselves when approaching the cup, so as not to accidentally push it. You need to tell the priest your name. All these are external rules, and they cannot be confused with the meaning and meaning of the Sacrament, but decent behavior in church is of great importance, and children especially love to feel in solemn moments that they “know how to behave” like big ones. “I give myself to Christ, and Christ comes into my life. His life lives in me,” this is the meaning of Holy Communion, and this is the meaning of our life, and the purpose of our life is revealed to us in this sense.
Based on the book by S.S. Kulomzina “Family is a small Church” prepared by Natalia Serova
How often should you take communion?
There is no consensus on how often a baby should be given communion after baptism. The decision on how long the time intervals between Eucharists will be made by the child’s parents. Of course, clergy have recommendations regarding the participation of children and their parents in the sacrament.
On the question of how often a baby should be given communion, most priests agree that this should be done weekly. Adults are recommended to participate in the sacrament at least once a month. However, a person who has been baptized can participate in the Eucharist at any time, even after each church service he has attended, if he experiences such a spiritual need.
Of course, the most logical solution to the questions of how infants are given communion and how often it should be done would be for the child to simply follow his parents. This means that if the mother or father of the baby stands in line for the Holy Gifts, then you need to take the child in your arms and not exclude him from participation in the sacrament. This is how people behaved in the old days, it makes sense to follow the custom.
Preparation for Communion after 7 years
How to prepare a child for Communion after 7 years? The age of 7 is the starting point, after which parents must explain to the child what confession is, what sins exist, what repentance is, what the meaning of fasting is and help prepare for it. Do not forget that a child at this age must take responsibility for his actions, and should not prepare a list of sins instead.
It is important to note that each child is individual. If he is not ready to confess at the age of 7, you should not force him. The same applies to the rule of prayer and fasting. By forcing a child to mechanically follow the rules, there is a chance for a long time to discourage him from any desire to participate in the Sacraments and worship. A fragile young soul requires a softer and more tactful approach. Whether children can eat before Communion after reaching the age of 7 should be checked with the priest. There is no single rule for all cases in this matter.
The main thing that parents and the adults around him must do is set a worthy example of Christian life. If you regularly bring your child to Communion, then you yourself must lead a meaningful church and spiritual life, regularly participate in the Sacraments and, first of all, receive communion.
How does children receive communion in church? There is an unspoken rule that children receive communion without waiting in line. Parents carry babies to the Chalice in their arms. Older children, folding their arms crosswise across their chests, walk on their own. Parents should explain that in line before Communion, the child should try not to talk, not push, and approach the Sacrament with reverence.
Do people receive communion during Lent? What is the time of fasting for a Christian?
The question of how babies are given communion during Lent arises among parents no less often than others. This is due to the reluctance of people to break any of the church rules, which they simply do not know about.
What is Lent? Without a doubt, everyone, even those far from religion, knows that this is a time of giving up certain types of food and abstaining from entertainment. However, the time of fasting is not at all a period of following a peculiar diet and not the so-called “fasting days”.
Restrictions in food and lifestyle practiced during this period have only one goal - to focus the Christian on spiritual needs and problems. This time should be devoted to thoughts about the eternal, about the needs of the soul, about what is not given enough attention in the everyday bustle and everyday worries. During Lent, believers pay especially much attention to prayer and, of course, visit churches more often. And, of course, the sacrament of communion is celebrated on these days.
How do infants receive communion during Lent? Traditionally this is done after Saturday and Sunday church services. In general, the sacrament can be taken not only on weekends, but also on Friday and Wednesday. The sacrament itself performed during this period has no differences from the Eucharist celebrated on other dates.
How to prepare for communion?
In addition to questions about how many months a baby can be given communion and how the sacrament occurs, many parents are also concerned about how to prepare for participation in the Eucharist. In the Orthodox tradition, it is customary to pray, fast and confess before communion. Of course, this applies to adult Christians.
In the way infants are given communion, there can be no talk of any fasting, confession or preliminary prayers, because the child cannot help but eat, and he is not yet able to talk. But does this mean that there is no need to prepare for the sacrament? Not at all. Parents of a newborn prepare for communion, both for themselves and for the baby.
Quite a lot of questions arise in connection with the need for confession. Often parents of children do not understand why it is needed if they have not sinned. Indeed, those caring for newborn children have no time left for sins, but does this mean that they really did not happen? Sin is not only any action, but also thoughts and emotions. Irritation, anger, grumbling, despondency are sins. Confession is a way of repentance and cleansing of the soul. It is repentance that prepares the soul of a Christian to accept the grace that the sacrament of communion carries. Therefore, confession is a prerequisite for admission to the Eucharist.
As for immediate actions, for example, when to feed babies before the upcoming communion, neither the church nor the parents have a consensus on this matter. The process of preparing newborns for the sacrament is individual. The main thing is that the baby and his parents feel comfortable during the service and when receiving the Holy Gifts.
Often, young parents, focusing their attention on the questions of whether babies receive communion, when and how it is done, which is part of the process of preparing newborns to receive the sacrament, completely forget that there are other people in the church. If the baby is hot or cold, wants to eat or drink, needs to change the diaper, the child will start crying and screaming. The hysterical screams of children are not the best sound accompaniment for prayer; almost all believers present in the church hall are distracted by them. Therefore, it is extremely important before visiting the temple with a newborn in your arms to determine the optimal period of time between feedings, dress the baby in accordance with the temperature conditions and take a bottle of water and a pacifier with you.
Children traditionally begin to fast and confess at the age of seven. However, gradually accustoming children to restrictions should begin at an earlier age. If the family observes fasting and the parents themselves regularly receive communion, no special effort is needed.
How to properly prepare a child for the sacrament
Preparing a child for the sacrament is carried out differently than an adult, and depends on the age of the child.
baby
Preparing a baby for the sacrament of Communion does not imply restrictions on food, since such abstinence will negatively affect his well-being. Before visiting the temple, it is necessary not only to dress the child, but also to calculate his diet so that he does not become capricious in the church and does not disturb the rest of the parishioners.
If you feed a baby immediately before leaving the house, he may vomit food, and at communion - the Holy Gifts. And if you give him the breast too early, then in church the baby will feel hungry and start crying.
It’s good if both parents are believers, in which case one can stay outside with the stroller during the service and bring the child into the church just before the sacrament begins.
Preparing children under 7 years old
Starting from the age of 3, it is necessary to conduct classes with the child, telling him about the meaning of the sacrament. To do this, they use a game form, Christian children's books. This time is very convenient for instilling true values in a child and leading him to God, since his consciousness, like a sponge, absorbs all new information. Until the age of 7, there are no special food restrictions for a child before communion. The only thing you can persuade him to give up sweets a day before the sacrament, explaining that in this way humility is cultivated.
After 7 years
If before this age the child has not taken part in the sacrament, he needs to be clearly explained the importance of this event, as well as preparation for it. From this moment on, the child can prepare to accept wine and bread on an equal basis with adults, avoiding strict fasts.
At this age, the child must not only receive communion, but also confess his sins before the sacrament. Parents should explain to the child what is meant by sin and how important it is to repent for bad deeds.
Confession before communion should take place without the presence of parents; the child must decide for himself why he should ask forgiveness from the Lord. Also, after this action is over, adults should not ask the child what questions the priest asked and what they talked about.
In terms of food restriction, it is worth consulting with a priest and a doctor. If the child is completely healthy, then fasting is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- Three days before the sacrament of Communion, people refuse sweets - sweets, cakes.
- Two days before taking bread and wine, meat dishes are excluded from the diet.
- The day before the sacrament, they refrain from eating fish and dairy products.
Such a fast can be carried out only after the doctor’s permission and if the child does not have any chronic diseases. Prayers are considered another stage in preparing a child for communion. It is necessary to teach your child to praise the Creator every day in the morning and evening. It is very good if parents show a prayer life by their own example, and not just force their son or daughter to do it.
