The majority of questions asked by parents are about how to teach children to go to confession and pray, how often they should be brought to church and take Holy Communion, and how to prepare them for Holy Communion. There are no simple answers to all these questions. In the author’s opinion, the atmosphere within families is key to the successful religious upbringing of children nowadays. Archpriest Georgy Krylov’s differentiation of Orthodox families contributes to our understanding of the aforementioned atmosphere.

How often should an infant be admitted to Holy Communion? Can one force children to take Holy Communion? Why does a child refuse to receive Holy Communion? How should a child fast, if at all? In the present article, Archpriest Georgy Krylov, rector of the Church of New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia in Storgino (Moscow), offers some answers to these questions and tries to find solutions for difficult situations we often find ourselves in when dealing with children.

Archimandrite Vassilios Papavassiliou examines the nature of preparation for Holy Communion, both before the Divine Liturgy and during it. Are too many obstacles placed in front of ordinary believers that discourage them from receiving the Holy Gifts more frequently?