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The Holy Bible admonishes us from receiving Holy Communion unworthily. How should we then prepare ourselves for Holy Communion; and how often must one confess?

The meaning of "worthy to partake of the communion" is often inquired about. Many refrain from partaking of the Lord's Holy Body and Blood although they desire to do so. The words within St. Basil's Divine Liturgy ask, "O Lord, make us worthy to partake of Your Holies in purification for our souls, bodies, and spirits." Also the words said by the deacon immediately before partaking of the Holy Communion are, "Pray for the merit of partaking of these Holy, Pure, and Heavenly Sacraments." Therefore many often ask how does one merit partaking of the Holy Communion.

One of the basic principles of the Christian faith is that one does not become perfect by his own efforts and struggling. It is the righteousness of God, granted to us through the free gift of Divine Grace that makes us righteous.  St. Paul writes, "If righteousness comes by law, then Christ is dead in vain" (Galatians 2:21). If we do not proceed for Holy Communion but wait until we are righteous, then it is clear that we are striving  to become righteous through  our own efforts.

The true and right preparation for Communion is true repentance from the heart for all our past iniquities, and a determination to submit our lives to God, to live with Him in holiness and righteousness, and to get rid of any habits, words, actions and any weaknesses, that might hinder our relationship with God.
To be worthy of partaking of the Holy Communion means, to proceed in awe and fear and appreciation of that great Sacrament and with the feeling that we are not worthy of that GREAT HONOR.

St. Paul does indeed tell us, "He that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself not DISCERNING THE LORD'S BODY" (I Corinthians 11:29). He also said, "Let a man EXAMINE HIMSELF and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup" (I Corinthians 11:28). This is the most important point: to examine ourselves and see if we have made an honest confession.

St. John Chrysostom says, "Let no one proceed to the Holy Communion with laziness or negligence, but let all go to receive it with enthusiasm and preparation so that we may not be punished. Do not be guilty of His Body and Blood as those who crucified Him."

One should bathe or shower before going to church to partake of the Holy Communion and proceed with clean clothes.

How often should one confess? One should confess AT LEAST every forty days. The instruction given by the spiritual father in this matter is important too.

"And many that believed came and confessed and showed their deeds." (Acts 19:18)