What is the Orthodox Process for Denying One the Eucharist?

[vanshan]

I just saw a news story on PBS yesterday about a controversy in the Catholic Church about some more conservative bishops in American denying the Eucharist to politicians who are pro-abortion. It seems the Vatican is reviewing this action and is requesting that the bishops avoid making the Eucharist a political battleground.

What is the Orthodox process for denying someone communion? Can the priest alone make that decision, or would someone's bishop have to make that declaration? I know for a fact that there are pro-choice Orthoodox politicians serving in Congress right now. If I sin, I thought my priest could deny me the Eucharist anytime he felt it would be spiritually helpful, is that correct?

Basil

 

[Philip]

What is the Orthodox process for denying someone communion? Can the priest alone make that decision, or would someone's bishop have to make that declaration?

A priest can decide to not serve an individual.

 

[The Prokeimenon!]

A priest can decide to not serve an individual.

This is correct. Priests don't deny the Eucharist as a punishment for breaking the rules. It is withheld as an act of love, for the safety of the communicant and the Priest. Partaking unworthily can make you sick or kill you, so it's not doing anybody any favors to give it to them if they're not ready.

Moses

 

[Momzilla]

Moses, you mean the priest doesn't just shout "No eucharist for you!" when someone approaches the chalice?

 

[Philip]

Moses, you mean the priest doesn't just shout "No eucharist for you!" when someone approaches the chalice?

It depends on the jurisdiction. Many priests simply shout 'Is outrage' when the person approaches.

 

[Nickolai]

oh no, not The Communion Nazi!!!

 

[vanshan]

Moses, you mean the priest doesn't just shout "No eucharist for you!" when someone approaches the chalice?

I hope I don't think of this next Sunday while approaching the Eucharist!

 

[MariaRegina]

This is correct. Priests don't deny the Eucharist as a punishment for breaking the rules. It is withheld as an act of love, for the safety of the communicant and the Priest. Partaking unworthily can make you sick or kill you, so it's not doing anybody any favors to give it to them if they're not ready.

Moses

My priest will ask a person if they are Orthodox Christians and to name their Bishop and Confessor. If the person is not Orthodox or not prepared to receive Holy Communion, then he will let them kiss the Chalice if they wish in lieu of receiving Holy Communion.

Other Orthodox Priests will proclaim loudly just before serving Holy Communion that if a person is not Baptized, Chrismated and Married (if married) in the Holy Orthodox Church, and hasn't prepared by prayer, fasting and recent reception of Holy Confession, then they are not to approach. They also stress that if a person has had breakfast or committed any serious sin, then they are not to receive.

Justification for denying Holy Communion is taken straight from the Bible: St. Paul's warning in Corinthians that many are sick and have died from partaking of the Holy Eucharist unworthily.

Thank goodness I am Orthodox!

I just saw a news story on PBS yesterday about a controversy in the Catholic Church about some more conservative bishops in American denying the Eucharist to politicians who are pro-abortion. It seems the Vatican is reviewing this action and is requesting that the bishops avoid making the Eucharist a political battleground.

 

[countrymousenc]

I know for a fact that there are pro-choice Orthoodox politicians serving in Congress right now.

I thought that the OC was pro-choice about everything.

(No, I'm not pro-abortion, and that's official!)

 

[MariaRegina]

I thought that the OC was pro-choice about everything. ...

 

[Matrona]

I thought that the OC was pro-choice about everything.

(No, I'm not pro-abortion, and that's official!)

The "OC"?

Well, that could be one way to win new converts... "Hey! You know that TV show on FOX? Well, we're the O.C., too!..."

 

[MariaRegina]

I'm lost - what are you guys talking about?

I'm really thankful that our Orthodox Priests and Bishops can say "no" to someone who is unworthy to approach Holy Communion - whether they are divorced and not reconciled to the Orthodoc Church, or whether they have sinned privately or publicly.

The Biblical instructions of St. Paul to the Corinthians are followed. This is why I am so glad that I am an Orthodox Christian. As our hymn goes, "We have found the true faith."

 

[MariaRegina]

Looks like the invaders of the ark.

 

[Philip]

Closed of moderator review.