Pre-communion fasting

[OrthoCanuck]

I cannot believe I didn't ask my priest the following questions but perhaps someone can answer them for me:

1. Does the pre-communion fast start when one goes to bed or at a particular time (eg. midnight)?

2. Can one have water if really thirsty?

3. Can one take prescription medication in the morning before communion?


We may have discussed this during my catechumenate. However, I was a catechumen for a year and a half. I may have forgotten a thing or two.



Peace.

[Khaleas]

You can definitely take prescription meds in the morning. Eat/drink whatever you have to take them safely. If you get by on a toast and water, don't have a bacon and egg dish. You get my drift...
As for the rest, it's kinda AYP. I start fasting at midnight but it tends to vary a tiny bit with jurisdiction. You should definitely be ok starting at midnight. As for water, technically no except for what you have with meds. And yes, you can brush your teeth (which we all hope you do :P)...
Never do anything that could harm your health. You're not supposed to end up hooked up on an IV after services just because you held off water... I've seen that too.

[Khaleas]

Also, even if it's a fast free week you still fast before communion.
I had the same questions as you do after I was chrismated so you're definitely not alone.

[Dewi Sant]

I don't think you should take anything written here, either by myself or others as authoratative. You must seek your Priest in due time.

In my church, people fast from midnight and abstain from all foods and water.

Naturally, if one is on medicine which is essential to be taken pre-communion, post-nightfall, then it must be taken.


The dating of the fast starting from midnight is very common.
Myself, as I celebrate the end of the old day and start of the new at nightfall, I would fast from nightfall (but that is myself, and I would talk to my Priest when my time to partake comes).

I've heard that some Orthodox fast all day Saturday, mainly Russians. This is wonderful devotion, but, if it hinders your spiritual life, it is not good.

Again, go speak to your Priest.

[Mary of Bethany]

I generally begin the Communion fast either at bedtime or 12 hours before receiving - which would be about 11pm for me.

And I have to take 2 small pills every morning when I get up. I take them with a little water.

(Being in choir, we have instructions from our Priest to drink plenty of water on Saturday, and even as we need it on Sunday mornings, so as not to dehydrate, and keep our voices in good shape.)

Mary

[Photios]

For myself, I abstain starting at midnight, but I have to have some juice in the morning, just cause I can get faint while driving down there. I'm not diabetic, but I do need a little something over that long a period without anything else.

[Lotar]

I cannot believe I didn't ask my priest the following questions but perhaps someone can answer them for me:

1. Does the pre-communion fast start when one goes to bed or at a particular time (eg. midnight)?

Midnight. You are also supposed to fast from sex after 6.


2. Can one have water if really thirsty?

No.


3. Can one take prescription medication in the morning before communion?

Yes, and if it is supposed to be taken with food, you can have a piece of toast or something.

[Akathist]

It is midnight or bedtime whichever is first according to what I have always been told. About what to do about medication please check with your Priest.

For a long time, I didn't take my normal medication until after DL on Sunday's as the exact time it needed to be taken was not so important.

But, I had trouble attending services due to incredible pain for a while. I was stubborn and didn't want to go to services if I could not receive the Eucharist and knew I could not endure the pain without medication. I was also stupid and didn't talk to my Priest about it.

After missing several services, I just had to get back so I took the pain medication and went only to get sick during the service and nearly pass out because the medicine I take needs food with it! (Again... I was being stubborn and stupid!)

So, please, learn from my bad episode and talk to your Priest.

Now, when I need the pain medication I take it and take it with a bit of food so I can get through the service without being sick. But I feel better doing this because my Priest and I talked about it.

Talk to your Priest.