In the Eastern Orthodox Church, only baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing are typically permitted to receive Holy Communion. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
* Baptized and Chrismated: Individuals must have been validly baptized in the Orthodox Church (or another church whose baptism is recognized by the Orthodox Church) and subsequently chrismated (confirmed). Chrismation is considered the completion of baptism, sealing the individual with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
* Orthodox Christians: The Eucharist is a sacrament of unity within the Orthodox Church. Therefore, it is reserved for those who are members of the Orthodox Church and who adhere to its teachings and practices.
* In Good Standing: This is a crucial aspect. To be in good standing generally means:
* Living an Orthodox Christian life: Striving to live according to the commandments of God and the teachings of the Church.
* Regularly participating in the life of the Church: Attending services, particularly the Divine Liturgy, regularly.
* Preparing through prayer, fasting, and confession: Usually, Orthodox Christians will have confessed their sins to a priest and received absolution before receiving communion. The specific fasting rules can vary depending on the time of year and the local custom, but generally involve abstaining from meat, dairy, eggs, and sometimes fish.
* Not being under any canonical impediments: This could include being excommunicated, being under a penance assigned by a priest, or living in a state of unrepentant sin.
Important Considerations:
* Intercommunion: The Orthodox Church generally does not practice open communion. That is, it does not typically offer communion to members of other Christian denominations. The reasons for this stem from differing understandings of the Eucharist, the Church, and the requirements for unity.
* Exceptions: While the above is the standard practice, there might be rare exceptions made in extraordinary circumstances. These would usually require the blessing of a bishop and would be very carefully considered. For example, in some cases a non-Orthodox person who is very close to death may be communed, provided they express faith in the Orthodox Church and its teachings.
* Children: Children are typically communed from infancy after they are baptized and chrismated. The age at which children begin to prepare for communion through confession varies depending on local custom and the priest's guidance.
In summary, receiving communion in the Eastern Orthodox Church is a serious matter that requires proper preparation and adherence to the teachings and practices of the Church. If you are not Orthodox but are interested in receiving communion, the first step is to inquire about becoming Orthodox through baptism and chrismation. It is always best to speak with an Orthodox priest for specific guidance and clarification.