Communing on Feast Days

 

I know that many of us, because of the custom of doing so during the Feast, will approach the divine Table. You must, however, as I have said so many times not receive Communion just because of a certain Feast; but you must purify your conscience and then partake of the divine Table. For the sinner and unclean person is not worthy even durng a Feast to partake of that holy and dread flesh. But the one who has washed away his sins through true repentance is clean, both during the Feast and at all times, and he is always worthy to partake of the divine Mysteries and enjoy the gifts and graces of God. I do not know why, but many overlook this. Such people, even if they are full of many sins, when they see that a Feast has arrived, rush because of the particular day and receive the sacred Mysteries, which they are not worthy even to look upon. - St. John Chrysostom