www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Litiya and Communion Fast

I am wondering, is it licit to receive Communion in a Divine Liturgy following Vespers with Litiya (whereby one consumes the blessed bread and blessed wine).

I know that it is objectively food and objectively wine, but in this case being part of the Office, does it still break the Communion fast?

No. In the old books, dinner was assumed to always occur after Vespers, which is why there is a Small Vespers on days of Vigil-dinner would be after Small Vespers. In that case, Litija is basically still functioned as a communal meal-each person received a loaf of bread and a flask of wine and ate during a reading in church or the narthex, and Matins just started after that. I think it is better to think the communion fast as starting with Compline, or at the conclusion of dinner (no bedtime snack!). At any rate, artoklasia is meant to give you strength to fulfill the Vigil.

Thank you, but I was wondering in this case, if it were literally right after, that is, not even the minimum one hour from the reception of the blessed bread and wine and the conclusion of the Liturgy.

It would not, but there is no way there wouldn’t be an hour between Litija and Communion anyway. And quit the scrupulosity. It isn’t healthy.

Fr. Deacon Lance is absolutely correct. I would just add that in early Church, the Eucharistic Sacrifice took place like all other sacrifices (Israelite or Pagan) in the context of a meal along with other foods that were not directly involved in the sacrifice. We still have remnants of the practice (Agape Meal) at the end of the Roman Canon. So, partaking of food near the time of reception of holy communion is not in of itself an obstacle to worthily receiving the mysteries. The communion fast is for preparation. And Litia is a worthy preparation for those receiving the holy mysteries. Also, the pastor would not be offering Litia beforehand if he thought it would interfere with the reception of Holy Communion.