Q&A Home > C > Holy Communion

Since Holy Communion is a very great and blessed spiritual gift from our Lord Jesus Christ that is required for our forgiveness of sins, salvation, and for spiritual growth and unity with God,why is it necessary to partake of Holy Communion so often? Does this mean that Holy Communion, and thus, the spirit of God wears off from our bodies? Also, what is the true significance of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ when it enters into our bodies?

The effect of Holy Communion is everlasting, and does not wear off like regular food. Our Lord had instituted this Mystery saying, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" (1 Cor 11:24-26), so He asked us to do this often to remember Him. In the Divine Liturgy, the priest prays "For every time you eat of this bread and drink of this cup, you proclaim My Death, confess My Resurrection, and remember Me till I come".

The Early Church celebrated this Sacrament at least once a week. "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house" (Acts 2:46), "Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread" (Acts 20:7).