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Orthodox Doctrine (Summary of Christian Divinity)
Metropolitan Platon of Moscow, tr. Pinkerton, 1814
Part 2, Section 34: How to Prepare for Partaking of the Communion
“Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.” 1 Cor. xi. 28.
For such a mysterious spiritual communion, there ought to be a proper preparation; and this preparation, according to the apostolic doctrine, consists in self-examination, that is, in a trial of ourselves; how we spend our lives, whether we are careful about our salvation, and if we actually fulfil those duties which we engaged to perform at our baptism. Having found ourselves transgressors in many things, we ought to exercise heartfelt sorrow on account of it, and confessing ourselves worthy to suffer under the divine wrath, we ought in due time to make known our state to the servants of Christ, by confession. At the same time, in reflecting on the inexhaustible mercy of God towards sinners, we ought stedfastly to rely on the merits of Christ, and on the influence of his most precious death to wash us from our sins, and to preserve us from being excluded from the covenant of grace. This internal confession, joined to an open acknowledgment of our unworthiness, the church requireth of us, at the very moment of communicating, which we make in the following words. “I believe, O Lord, and confess, that thou art the true Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.” In consideration of this, Christians who live in the neglect of duty, as also evident workers of iniquity, and hardened sinners, ought not to be admitted to this mysterious communion. For the command of the gospel thus directs us, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet,” Matt. vii. 6. And if, notwithstanding all this, such persons approach to this mystery, they only thereby still more draw upon themselves the judgment of God, as despisers of the holiness of the Lord. “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
Here it is necessary to remember, that, in consequence of the important fruits of communion, and of the excellency of Christ’s benefits, every Christian ought frequently to communicate in this mystery. The Christians of the first churches partook of this spiritual food every week, and there was never a service without communicants. Afterwards, they approached to this ordinance, at least on every chief holiday. We ought to imitate their pious example, and to fear lest our very seldom communicating be not an indication of the coldness of our hearts towards Christ.