Is it possible to go to church during menstruation? Confess in a Christian temple during menstruation

Oh, how many times a day does a priest serving in a church have to deal with this topic!.. Parishioners are afraid to enter the church, venerate the cross, they call in panic: “What should I do, I was preparing so much, I was preparing to take communion for the holiday and now...”

Many Internet forums have published perplexed questions from women to the clergy, on what theological basis at crucial periods in their lives they are excommunicated from communion, and often even simply from going to Church. There is quite a bit of debate on this issue. Times change, so do views.

It seems, how can the natural processes of the body separate us from God? And educated girls and women themselves understand this, but there are church canons that prohibit visiting church in certain days…

How to solve this issue? There is no comprehensive answer. The origin of the prohibitions about “uncleanness” after expirations lies in the Old Testament era, but in Orthodoxy no one introduced these prohibitions - they simply were not abolished. Moreover, they found their confirmation in the canons of the Orthodox Church, although no one gave a theological explanation or justification.

Menstruation is the cleansing of the uterus from dead tissue, cleansing the uterus for a new round of expectation, hope for new life, for conception. Every shedding of blood is a specter of death, for in blood is life (in Old Testament even more - “the soul of a man is in his blood”). But menstrual blood, this is doubly death, because it is not only blood, but also dead tissue of the uterus. Freeing herself from them, a woman becomes cleansed. This is the origin of the concept of impurity of women's periods. It is clear that this is not a personal sin of women, but a sin affecting all of humanity.

Let's turn to the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament there are many instructions regarding the purity and impurity of a person. Uncleanness is, first of all, a dead body, some diseases, discharges from the genital organs of men and women (there are other “unclean” things for a Jew: some food, animals, etc., but the main uncleanness is exactly that I indicated).

Where did these ideas come from among the Jews? The easiest way to draw parallels is with pagan cultures, which also had similar regulations about uncleanness, but the biblical understanding of uncleanness is much deeper than it seems at first glance.

Of course, there was the influence of pagan culture, but for a person of the Old Testament Jewish culture, the idea of ​​external impurity was rethought; it symbolized some deep theological truths. Which? In the Old Testament, uncleanness is associated with the theme of death, which took hold of humanity after the fall of Adam and Eve. It is not difficult to see that death, and illness, and the flow of blood and semen as the destruction of the germs of life - all this reminds of human mortality, of some deep-seated damage to human nature.

A person, in moments of manifestation, discovery of this mortality and sinfulness, must tactfully stand aside from God, Who is Life Itself!

This is how he treated “uncleanness” this kind Old Testament.

Christianity, in connection with its teaching about victory over death and the rejection of the Old Testament man, also rejects the Old Testament teaching about impurity. Christ declares all these prescriptions to be human. The past has passed, now everyone who is with Him, even if he dies, will come to life, especially since all the other impurities have no meaning. Christ is the incarnate Life itself (John 14:6).

The Savior touches the dead - let us remember how He touched the bed on which they were carrying to bury the son of the widow of Nain; how He allowed a bleeding woman to touch Him... We will not find a moment in the New Testament when Christ observed the instructions about purity or impurity. Even when he is faced with the embarrassment of a woman who has clearly violated the etiquette of ritual impurity and touched Him, He tells her things that contradict conventional wisdom: “Courage, daughter!” (Matt. 9:22).

The apostles taught the same. " “I know and am confident in the Lord Jesus,” says St. Paul - that there is nothing unclean in itself; Only to him who regards anything as unclean, it is unclean for him” (Rom. 14:14). He: “For every creation of God is good, and nothing is reprehensible if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer"(1 Tim. 4:4).

Here the apostle says about food uncleanliness. The Jews considered a number of products unclean, but the apostle says that everything created by God is holy and pure. But ap. Paul says nothing about uncleanness physiological processes. We do not find specific instructions on whether a woman during her period should be considered unclean, either from him or from the other apostles. In any case, we have no information about this; on the contrary, we know that the ancient Christians gathered in their houses weekly, even under the threat of death, served the Liturgy and received communion. If there were exceptions to this rule, for example for women in famous period, then ancient church monuments would have mentioned this. They don't say anything about it.

But this was the question. And in the middle of the 3rd century the answer was given by St. Clement of Rome in the work “Apostolic Constitutions”:

« If anyone observes and performs Jewish rites regarding the ejaculation of semen, the flow of semen, legal intercourse, let them tell us whether, in those hours and days when they are exposed to something like this, they stop praying, or touching the Bible, or communing with the Eucharist? If they say that they stop, then it is obvious that they do not have the Holy Spirit in them, Who always abides with believers... Indeed, if you, a woman, think that during the seven days when you have your period, you do not have it in you. Holy Spirit; then it follows that if you die suddenly, you will leave without the Holy Spirit and boldness and hope in God. But the Holy Spirit, of course, is inherent in you... For neither legal copulation, nor childbirth, nor the flow of blood, nor the flow of semen in a dream can defile the nature of man or separate the Holy Spirit from him; only wickedness and lawless activity separate him from [the Spirit].

So, woman, if, as you say, during the days of menstruation you do not have the Holy Spirit in you, then you must be filled with an unclean spirit. For when you don’t pray and don’t read the Bible, you unwittingly call him to you...

Therefore, woman, refrain from empty speech and always remember the One who created you, and pray to him... without observing anything - neither natural cleansing, nor legal copulation, nor childbirth, nor miscarriages, nor physical defects. These observations are empty and meaningless inventions of stupid people.

...Marriage is honorable and honest, and the birth of children is pure... and natural cleansing is not abominable before God, Who wisely arranged for it to happen to women... But even according to the Gospel, when the bleeding woman touched the saving edge of the Lord’s robe in order to get well, the Lord did not reproach her , but said: your faith has saved you».

In the 6th century he writes on the same topic St. Grigory Dvoeslov(it is he who authored the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, which is served in weekdays Great Lent). He answers a question asked about this to Archbishop Augustine of the Angles, saying that a woman can enter the temple and begin the sacraments at any time - both immediately after the birth of a child and during menstruation:

« A woman should not be prohibited from entering church during her menstruation, for she cannot be blamed for what is given by nature, and from which a woman suffers against her will. After all, we know that a woman suffering from bleeding came up to the Lord from behind and touched the hem of His garment, and immediately the illness left her. Why, if she, while bleeding, could touch the Lord’s garment and receive healing, a woman during her period cannot enter the Church of the Lord?..

It is impossible at such a time to forbid a woman to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. If she does not dare to accept it out of great respect, this is commendable, but by accepting it, she will not commit a sin... And menstruation in women is not sinful, for it comes from their nature...

Leave women to their own understanding, and if during menstruation they do not dare to approach the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of the Lord, they should be praised for their piety. If they... want to accept this Sacrament, they should not, as we said, be prevented from doing so.”.

That is in the West, and both fathers were Roman bishops, this topic received the most authoritative and final disclosure. Today, no Western Christian would think of asking questions that confuse us, the heirs of Eastern Christian culture. There, a woman can approach the shrine at any time, despite any female ailments.

In the East, there was no consensus on this issue.

An ancient Syrian Christian document from the 3rd century (Didascalia) says that a Christian woman should not observe any days and can always receive communion.

St. Dionysius of Alexandria, at the same time, in the middle of the 3rd century, writes another:

“I don’t think that they [that is, women on certain days], if they are faithful and pious, being in such a state, would dare either to begin the Holy Table, or to touch the Body and Blood of Christ . For even the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years did not touch Him for healing, but only the hem of her garment. Praying, no matter what state someone is in and no matter how disposed they are, remembering the Lord and asking for His help is not forbidden. But let him who is not entirely pure in soul and body be prohibited from approaching what is the Holy of Holies.».

A hundred years later he writes on the topic of natural processes of the body St. Athanasius of Alexandria. He says that all of God's creation is “good and pure.” " Tell me, beloved and most reverent, what is sinful or unclean about any natural eruption, such as, for example, if someone wanted to blame the discharge of phlegm from the nostrils and saliva from the mouth? We can talk about more, about the eruptions of the womb, which are necessary for the life of a living creature. If, according to Divine Scripture, we believe that man is the work of God’s hands, then how could a bad creation come from pure power? And if we remember that we are the race of God (Acts 17:28), then we have nothing unclean in ourselves. For then only we become defiled when we commit sin, the worst stench of all».

According to St. Athanasius, thoughts about the pure and the unclean are offered to us by “the tricks of the devil” in order to distract us from spiritual life.

And thirty years later, the successor of St. Afanasy by department St. Timothy of Alexandria I spoke differently on the same topic. When asked whether it was possible to baptize or allow a woman to receive Communion if “the usual thing happened to women,” he answered: “ Must put it aside until it is cleared».

This last opinion, with different variations, existed in the East until recently. Only some fathers and canonists were more rigoristic - a woman should not visit the temple these days at all, others said that You can pray and visit church, but you can’t just take communion.

If we turn from canonical and patristic monuments to more modern monuments (XVI-XVIII centuries), we will see that they are more favorable to the Old Testament view of tribal life than to the New Testament one. For example, in the Great Trebnik we find a whole series prayers for deliverance from the defilement associated with birth phenomena.

But still - why not? We do not receive a clear answer to this question. As an example, I will cite the words of the great Athonite ascetic and polymath of the 18th century Rev. Nicodemus the Holy Mountain. To the question: why not only in the Old Testament, but also according to the Christian holy fathers a woman's monthly cleansing is considered unclean, the monk replies that there are three reasons for this:

1. Because of popular perception, because all people consider unclean what is expelled from the body through some organs as unnecessary or superfluous, such as discharge from the ear, nose, phlegm when coughing, etc.

2. All this is called unclean, for God teaches through the physical about the spiritual, that is, the moral. If the body is unclean, something that happens without human will, then how unclean are the sins that we commit of our own free will.

3. God calls the monthly purification of women unclean in order to prohibit men from intercourse with them... mainly and primarily because of concern for offspring, children.

This is how the famous theologian answers this question.

Due to the relevance of this issue, I studied it modern theologian Patriarch of Serbia Pavel. About this, he wrote an article, republished many times, with a characteristic title: “Can a woman come to church for prayer, kiss icons and receive communion when she is “unclean” (during menstruation)”?

His Holiness Patriarch writes: " The monthly cleansing of a woman does not make her ritually, prayerfully unclean. This uncleanness is only physical, bodily, as well as discharge from other organs. Moreover, since modern hygienic means can effectively prevent the accidental bleeding of blood from making the temple unclean... we believe that on this side there is no doubt that a woman during her monthly cleansing, with the necessary caution and taking hygienic measures, can come to church, kiss icons, take antidor and blessed water, as well as participate in singing. She would not have been able to receive communion in this state, or if she was unbaptized, she would not have been able to be baptized. But in fatal disease can both receive communion and be baptized.”

We see that Patriarch Paul comes to the conclusion: You can go to church, but you still can’t take communion.

But, it should be noted that in the Orthodox Church there is no definition on the issue of women's hygiene adopted at the Council. There are only very authoritative opinions of the holy fathers (we mentioned them (these are Saints Dionysius, Athanasius and Timothy of Alexandria), included in Book of Rules of the Orthodox Church. The opinions of individual fathers, even very authoritative ones, are not the canons of the Church.

To summarize, I can say that most modern Orthodox priests Still, they do not recommend that a woman receive communion during her period.

Other priests say that all this is just historical misunderstandings and that one should not pay attention to any natural processes of the body - only sin defiles a person.

Based on the article by priest Konstantin Parkhomenko “On the so-called female “impurity”

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APPLICATION

Can a woman come to church for prayer, kiss icons and receive communion when she is “unclean” (during her period)? (Patriarch of Serbia Pavel (Stojcevic))

“Even in the 3rd century, a similar question was asked of Saint Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria (†265), and he replied that he did not think that women in such a state, “if they were faithful and pious, dared either to begin the Holy Table, or touch the body and blood of Christ,” for, When accepting the Shrine, you need to be pure in soul and body. At the same time, he gives the example of the bleeding woman who did not dare to touch the body of Christ, but only the hem of His garment (Matthew 9:20-22). In further explanation, Saint Dionysius says that praying, in whatever condition, is always permitted. A hundred years later, to the question: can a woman who “happened to the usual wives” receive communion, Timothy, also Bishop of Alexandria (†385), answers and says that she cannot until this period passes and she is cleansed . Saint John the Faster (VI century) also adhered to the same point of view, defining penance in case a woman in such a state nevertheless “received the Holy Mysteries.”

All these three answers show essentially the same thing, i.e. that women in this condition cannot receive communion. The words of Saint Dionysius that they then cannot “start the Holy Meal” actually mean to take communion, because they started the Holy Meal only for this purpose...”

Answers from Deacon Andrei Kuraev and Father Dmitry Smirnov.

Answer o. Dimitry (Smirnov):

Answer from Deacon Andrei Kuraev:

Critical days are an integral companion of a woman from the moment of puberty until the onset of menopause. Cyclic bleeding indicate health reproductive system, and the entire woman’s body. But can this manifestation of bodily well-being affect her spiritual life? How, from a religious point of view, is it interpreted? female cycle? Is it possible to read namaz during menstruation? Is it permissible to go to church while menstruating? Let's try to understand these issues, relying on the Holy Scriptures and the opinions of the Holy Fathers of the Church.

How does the church view menstruation according to the Old Testament?

To answer the question of whether it is possible to go to church with menstruation, it is necessary to understand the view of the Orthodox Church on this matter. physiological phenomenon.

Sin of Eve and Adam

According to the Old Testament, menstruation is a punishment to the human race for the Fall, to which Eve pushed Adam. Having tasted the fruit of the forbidden tree on the advice of the Tempter Serpent, the first of people, seeing their corporeality, lost their angelic spirituality. The woman, showing weakness of spirit, doomed the human race to eternal suffering.

In the third chapter of Genesis of the Old Testament, after Adam and Eve saw their nakedness and confessed to God what they had done, the Creator said to the Woman: “I will make your pregnancy painful, you will give birth to children in pain.”

Later, many biblical scholars of antiquity were inclined to believe that not only the hardships of pregnancy and soreness labor activity became a punishment female half the human race for the sin of disobedience, but menstruation is also a monthly reminder of the loss of the former angelic nature.

Answering the question: “Is it possible to go to church while on your period?” from the point of view of Old Testament theologians, we can confidently say: “No!” Moreover, any of the daughters of Eve who neglects this prohibition defiles holy place and plunges his family into the abyss of sin.

Symbol of death

Many theologians tend to personify period blood not with the sacrament of birth, but with a systematic reminder to the human race of its mortality. The body is a temporary vessel filled with the Holy Spirit. Only by constantly remembering the imminent death of “matter” can you tirelessly improve spirituality.

The ban on visiting the temple on menstruation days is closely related to the processes that give rise to the appearance of spotting. During menstruation, the body rejects an unfertilized egg. This process, quite physiological from a medical point of view, in religion borders on the death of a potential fetus, and therefore the soul, in the womb. According to the religious dogmas of Old Testament times, a dead body defiles the Church, recalling lost immortality.

Christianity does not prohibit praying at home, but, according to orthodox theologians, a woman is prohibited from visiting the House of God.

Hygiene

Another reason forbidding a woman to cross the threshold of the Holy House during menstruation is concern for hygiene. Pads, tampons and menstrual cups appeared relatively recently. Means of “protection” from effusion uterine discharge outside were quite primitive in the past. Speaking about the date of origin of this ban, we must remember that the church was then the place of the largest gathering of people. Especially during festive, significant services.

The appearance of a woman during menstruation in such a place endangered not only her health, but also the health of those around her. There were, and still are, many diseases transmitted through substances rejected by the body.

Summing up the first results of the search for an answer to the question: “Why can’t you go to church during your period,” we will highlight several reasons for this ban from the perspective of Old Testament theologians:

1. Hygienic.
2. Menstruation is a tangible reminder to descendants of Eve's fall from grace.
3. From a religious point of view, a rejected egg is equivalent to a fetus that died as a result of a miscarriage.
4. Equating bloody discharge to a symbol of the mortality of all things.

Menstruation according to the New Testament

Christianity of the New Testament era looks more kindly at a woman’s opportunity to participate in church life V critical days. Changes in views, and therefore theological interpretations, are associated with a new concept of human essence. Having accepted suffering for human sins on the Cross, Jesus Christ freed humanity from the mortal shackles of the body. Only spirituality and purity, strength of spirit are paramount from now on. A woman who bleeds from month to month is what God intended, which means there is nothing unnatural about menstruation. After all, the carnal cannot interfere with a pure and sincere desire for communication with God.

IN in this case It is appropriate to remember the Apostle Paul. He argued that every creation of God is beautiful and there cannot be anything in it that could defile the Creator. New Testament does not give a clear answer to the question of whether it is possible to visit holy places during menstruation. This position gave rise to disagreements between the Holy Fathers. Some were sure that prohibiting a girl from attending Church meant going against the very teachings of Christianity. To support their words, theologians who adhere to this opinion cite the biblical parable of Jesus and the woman bleeding long time.

Touching the hem of the Savior’s robe healed her, and the Son of Man not only did not push away the sufferer, but said to her: “Be brave, daughter!” Many women ask whether it is possible to read prayers during menstruation at home. Wouldn't this be a deviation from accepted canons? Christianity is loyal to this issue and does not consider critical days an obstacle to communication with God.

Is it possible to go to church on “unclean” days?

There is no clear answer from the priest about whether it is possible to enter the church during menstruation. It is necessary to seek the blessing of the priest-rector of the church that the woman wants to visit.

Remember that spiritual matters are purely individual. In case of extreme need or spiritual turmoil, the priest will not refuse to confess a woman. Bodily “uncleanness” will not be a hindrance. The doors of the Lord's House are always open to those who suffer. There is no strict canon about how to behave correctly or incorrectly in matters of Faith. For God, both a woman and a man are a beloved child who will always find refuge in his loving arms.

If there is a ban on visiting the cathedral, then the question naturally arises as to what to do if it is not possible to reschedule the event. Follow the link to get answers to these questions.

Standards of behavior in church on menstruation days

The opinion has taken root that a woman during menstruation can visit the Temple, but she should adhere to certain rules, the observance of which will avoid desecration of the holy place.

During menstruation, a woman cannot take part in any church Sacraments.

Is it possible to confess

Many of the women looking for an answer from a priest on the forums ask whether it is possible to go to confession during menstruation. The answer is quite categorical: no! You cannot confess, receive communion, get married, or take part in baptism on these days. Exceptions are serious illnesses, due to which bleeding is prolonged.

If menstruation is the result of an illness, it is necessary to ask for a blessing from the priest, and only then take part in the Sacraments of the Church and eat the Body and Blood of Christ.

Is it possible to drink holy water during menstruation?

There is no exact answer to this question in the Bible, but when studying the regulations of a church service, you can stumble upon a ban on this action. Regardless of whether this happens at home or in the temple, it is better to wait until the end of the critical days. IN modern Christianity You can find a ban on the use of prosphora and consecrated Cahors on critical days.

Is it possible to kiss icons during menstruation?

Turning to the works of New Testament theologians, it becomes clear that venerating icons or iconostasis is strictly prohibited. Such behavior desecrates a holy place.

During your period you can go to services, but it is better to take a place for the “catechumens” or next to the church bench.

The New Testament says that the Temple is where the name of Christ is remembered. Do strict prohibitions also apply to home prayer? The works of theologians say that turning to God in prayer, both at home and in the Church, is not prohibited in any state of body and spirit.

Is it possible to receive communion during menstruation?

Those who seek the priest's answer to this question receive a categorical refusal. The democratic approach of the modern church and a number of concessions for women during critical days do not concern the Holy Mysteries. You should abstain from confession, communion and confirmation until after your period. The only exception is in cases of severe illness. Bloody discharge, caused by a long-term illness, cannot become an obstacle even for Unction with previous preparation for communion.

Please note that before taking part in the Holy Sacraments, even in a state of illness, you must take a blessing from Father.

Many stories on thematic forums telling that a woman was confessed and allowed to venerate shrines during her period are associated precisely with the illness of the one about whom we're talking about.

It is worth noting that girls who come to church services on critical days are allowed to submit prayer notes for the health and repose of their loved ones.

Is it possible to go to a monastery while on your period?

Many girls are concerned not only about the possibility home prayer and visits during the regulation of the House of God. Women attending religious forums are keenly interested in the question of whether it is possible to come to the monastery during menstruation. Sister Vassa answers this question in detail and vividly in her materials.

Summarizing the information presented in her materials, we come to the conclusion that no one will kick a woman out of the monastery just because she arrived on “unclean” days.

Restrictions may be imposed on attendance at services, the keel way of life, or restrictions on obedience. The nuns continue to carry out their obedience in accordance with the rules of the particular monastery. You can find out about the restrictions imposed on a novice or sister during menstruation from the Mother Superior of the monastery where the fair sex arrived.

Is it possible to venerate relics during menstruation?

Many of the women visit the monastery in order to touch the remains of the Saint, buried on the territory of a particular monastery. Connected with this desire is the desire to receive an answer from the priest to the question of whether it is possible to venerate relics during menstruation. There is no clear answer to this question. It is unlikely that there will be those for whom this action is of an idle nature.

Before the trip, regardless of whether it coincides with the regulations or not, it is necessary to ask for the blessing of the Priest of the parish in which the woman leads church life. In this conversation, it is advisable for the girl to state her motives and warn her about the possibility of menstruation. Having weighed all the pros and cons, the priest will be able to give a definite answer.

Is it possible to pray at home during menstruation?

Orthodoxy

Offering prayer to the Lord during menstruation at home is not prohibited.

Islam

In Islam, it is widely believed that a woman on such days is in a state of ritual defilement. Such a view of menstruation entails a prohibition for the fair sex to perform prayer before the end of menstruation.

Haid means natural monthly bleeding, and istihadah means bleeding that goes beyond the cycle or postpartum discharge.

The opinions of Islamic theologians vary regarding the possibility of prayer, but, in most cases, it is recommended to refrain from praying and touching the Holy Quran on Arabic.

When can you attend church after giving birth?

Returning to the review of the opinions of the Church Fathers, it is worth noting those who, without insisting on a strict prohibition, put forward a number of rules regulating the presence of the fair sex in the church during menstrual periods and after the birth of a child. Looking ahead, it is worth noting that this religious view has taken root and exists to this day.

One thing is certain: despite the many opinions of theologians and the variety of interpretations Holy Scripture, in order to answer for yourself the question of whether it is possible to go to church during menstruation and when it is worth returning to church life after childbirth, you need to find out the answer of the priest of the parish to which the woman “belongs”.

Olga Fedoriv

Archpriest Igor Ryabko answers:

Very often priests are asked the following question: “Why can’t you go to church while on your period?” But its very formulation contains an error. On critical days, women are not allowed to receive communion in church, but they can enter the church and attend the service.

But to make it clearer why, let's take a short excursion into history.

Precepts regarding what is “pure” and what is not are found in the Old Testament. If we look carefully at everything related to human ritual uncleanliness, we will see that this is in one way or another connected with hygiene standards. Impurity is a dead body, various discharges, some diseases.

In the New Testament, God Himself, who became Man, says that the place from which “uncleanness” comes is located significantly above the waist. Our heart, damaged by sin, generates that impurity that defiles a person. And everything that relates to our physiology cannot be unclean. The Savior not only speaks about this in words, but also shows it through his actions, breaking many “taboos” that the Jews sacredly observed.

He touches the dead (healing the son of the widow of Nain), allows the bleeding woman to touch him, and despite the fact that she technically broke the law by touching him in uncleanness, Jesus tells her: “Be of good cheer, daughter.”

The Apostle Paul gave a lot of explanations about what is “pure” and what is not. But he doesn't have a word about the so-called " female impurity" We know for sure that Christians received communion at services on every first day of the week, and we do not know of a single historical monument of that time that would have prohibited women from doing this during their periods. If such a rule existed then, church authors would certainly have mentioned it.

However, over time, mention of critical women's days appears, but only in the middle of the third century.

Saint Clement of Rome in his essay “Apostolic Constitutions” writes harshly about this issue: “ Woman, refrain from empty speeches... without observing anything - neither natural cleansing... nor bodily vice. These observations are empty and meaningless inventions of stupid people... and natural cleansing is not abominable before God, who wisely arranged everything».

In the sixth century, already Saint Gregory Dvoeslov wrote to Archbishop Augustine: “ A woman should not be prohibited from entering church during her menstruation, for she cannot be blamed for what is given to her by nature.”

He also writes that : “It is impossible at such a time to forbid a woman to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. If she does not dare to accept him out of great respect, this is commendable, but by accepting him she will not commit a sin" This point of view has become predominant in the West, where issues with women's critical days were never on the agenda at all.

In the East, the following point of view nevertheless began to prevail: for the sake of reverence and fear of God before the great Sacrament, it is still better for a woman to refrain from partaking of the Holy Mysteries of Christ on these days. Saint Dionysius of Alexandria and some other holy Fathers write about this. Although it must be said that not everyone agreed with them. For example, Saint Athanasius of Alexandria polemicizes on this matter: “ Tell me, beloved and reverent, what is sinful or unclean that comes out naturally? How, for example, if someone wanted to blame the discharge of phlegm from the nostrils and saliva from the mouth? We are only defiled when we commit every sin, the worst stench».

But thirty years later, Athanasius’s successor in the department, Saint Timothy of Alexandria, spoke differently on the same topic. When asked whether it is possible to baptize or give communion to a woman who “has had the usual thing happen to women,” he answered: “It must be postponed until she is cleansed.”

As we see, controversial issue There is only one - to take communion or not? Everything else - going to church, venerating shrines, kissing the Gospel - is not even discussed. Of course you can.

His Holiness Patriarch Paul of Serbia summed up the controversy on this issue in his article: “Can a woman come to church for prayer, kiss icons and receive communion when she is “unclean” (during menstruation)?”

His Holiness the Patriarch writes: “ The monthly cleansing of a woman does not make her ritually, prayerfully unclean. This uncleanness is only physical, bodily, as well as discharge from other organs. In addition, since modern hygienic means can effectively prevent the accidental flow of blood from making the temple unclean... we believe that from this side there is no doubt that a woman during her monthly cleansing, with the necessary caution and taking hygienic measures, can come to church , kiss icons, take antidor and blessed water, as well as participate in singing. She would not have been able to receive communion in this state, or if she was unbaptized, to be baptized. But in a mortal illness he can both receive communion and be baptized».

At first glance, the conclusion You can’t take communion in this state"contradicts the entire previous text - " this uncleanness is only physical, bodily“But, on the other hand, we can conclude why it’s not possible. There is only one reason - a reverent attitude towards the sacrament.

Therefore, I would like to advise women to listen to the authoritative opinion of the entire church and draw the right conclusions. Menstruation is not an “impurity” that needs to be dealt with. Fear that impurity that actually separates you from God - the impurity of our fallen soul.

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I would like to clarify what women can and cannot do during their periods. You wrote that according to the canons you cannot only take communion, but you can venerate icons, is it possible to do the same?

— to venerate the cross, the gospel?

There are no canons prohibiting touching or kissing the cross or the Gospel during menstruation.

—Is it possible to approach anointing at the evening service?

There are no canons prohibiting receiving anointing with oil (consecrated oil) during menstruation.

- light candles?

Yes, you can.

— give the child communion?

Yes, you can.

-take holy water, if not, is it possible to pour it for someone?

There are no church canons prohibiting drinking holy water or being sprinkled with it during menstruation.

—Is it possible to eat holy prosphora? Is it possible to finish eating after a child?

Prosphora is directly related to Communion. This is the liturgical bread from which the particles are taken out and transformed into the Body of Christ. In addition, the pieces of prosphora distributed at the end of the service are like “Communion” for those who have not received communion (“antidor” - from the Greek άντί - “instead of” and δωρον - “gift”, i.e. “instead of the Gift”, “instead of the Communion”). Therefore, it seems to me that it makes sense to refrain from eating prosphora during menstruation. However, those who, for example, have not observed liturgical fasting or are under prohibition or excommunication from Communion, should not eat the antidoron.

—Is it possible to be in any part of the temple? Or is it better to stand in the vestibule?

There is a very ancient and well-established tradition according to which women during menstruation not only did not enter the temple, but generally avoided visiting public places. This was due to the fact that modern hygiene products appeared relatively recently, and before their appearance there was high probability that blood would flow out onto the floor. Besides the fact that leaving behind bloody traces is in itself not very decent, in religious consciousness the shedding of blood is associated with desecration. For example, if blood is shed in a church (menstrual or any other blood, for example, from a cut on a man’s hand), then the church needs to be re-consecrated.

A woman using modern hygiene products, nothing prevents you from being in public places, including in church. If a woman stands in the vestibule during her period, that’s her own business; There are no church canons that would require her to be there. If she goes forward and prays with everyone, there is nothing wrong with that. In this regard, it is worth noting that if a woman uses her period as an excuse to skip prayer and church service, and instead, on Sunday morning, start, for example, doing laundry or going shopping, then this is undoubtedly a sinful disrespect for the Lord’s Day, and not at all observing some “pious” tradition.

—Is it a sin to wear earrings in your ears?

No, it's not a sin. Holiness (and sinfulness) depends not so much on what is in your ears, but on what is in your heart. Look, for example, at the photograph of the holy martyr Elizaveta Feodorovna Romanova—earrings in her ears and holiness in her eyes. Her life and death are an amazing example of holiness! So, “wearing earrings” in itself is not a sin. If someone doesn’t like it, don’t let them wear it, it’s a matter of their taste. If you like it, wear it, there is no sin in it. But if a person is too carried away by different trinkets, hairstyles and fashionable outfits, if a girl is difficult to tear away from the mirror, if the only thing on her mind is how she looks, this may be a symptom of either spiritual emptiness or sinful passion which needs to be fought. But this question is no longer for the Internet, but for a personal conversation with a confessor.

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—Is it a sin to wear a nose ring?

No, it's not a sin. Foremother Rebekah, the wife of forefather Isaac, for example, wore a ring in her nose (Gen. 24:28, 47). Also, through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord says: “[I] gave you a ring for your nose and earrings for your ears...” (16:12) Of course, this is a figurative description of how God cared for His people. But it is obvious that the image of a nose ring is positive.

–Is it a sin for women to shave their leg hair?

No, it's not a sin. Shaving under the arms is also not a sin.

–Is it possible for a woman to touch icons during her period?

Can. Church canons only say that women should not receive communion during their periods. There are no prohibitions on touching icons in the canons.

ATTENTION! Questions can be asked

Many Orthodox girls and women are concerned about whether it is possible to go to church while on their period, take communion and confess, whether this is a violation of the canons. Sometimes there are situations when you really need to visit a temple, an important ritual for the family is scheduled, on Easter or another significant holiday.

What to do in such a situation? Skip the service or still not pay attention to critical days. Christian women and clergy have been asking this question for many centuries. They often look for the answer on their own in the Bible or the sayings of saints.

In those distant times, women, along with people with the plague, were put on the same level. These days, according to the worshipers, they were unclean. In order not to become on the same level with them, one should not touch them. Hence, visiting a girl during her period in a church building was strictly prohibited, and even more so it was impossible to perform any rituals.

After giving birth, you also couldn’t come to church right away. The period of abstinence from visits depended on the sex of the infant. If it was a boy, then within a month, and if a girl was born, then longer - 3 months. In general, they indicated a period of about 40 days. In those days they said that while a woman postpartum is underway purification, she cannot be at the service. The same applied to the condition of a woman after a miscarriage. Today this tradition is hardly observed.

According to the New Testament: is it possible to attend church during menstruation?

In subsequent centuries, views changed, but were not unambiguous. For example, the Apostle said that everything created by God is light and beautiful. Woman is also His creation, and menstrual cycle- not any of her fault, but just natural phenomenon, therefore there should be no ban on visiting church during menstruation.

To support his words, he cited a parable about a parishioner who had been ill for a long time. She was bleeding, and there was no way for the doctors to help her. Having learned about the Son of God passing by, she went to meet him halfway with a prayer, touching his clothes lightly and with trepidation with her pale hand. The Lord healed her, saying with approval that it was the sick woman’s faith that helped her. So, the bleeding woman was not pushed away by Christ himself, which means that visiting the temple is possible for her.

Dionysius of Alexandria was not against a woman visiting the temple on critical days, but her actions should be limited:

• Just pray and be baptized.
• Prohibition of communion.
• Prohibition on touching holy relics.

Is it possible for a woman to confess and receive communion during menstruation?

If in our time you ask priests with a similar question, you will get several different answers. Someone points out that on critical days women can do everything that is customary in church, but they cannot touch temple shrines. Others are against parishioners taking part in the Sacraments these days. What should I do? First of all, you need to know the rules that exist in this temple and follow them. This issue can be resolved by talking with the priest.

If a trip to holy places is planned, then the woman needs a blessing, as well as advice from a confessor. Some ministers of the Russian Orthodox Church have a negative attitude towards visiting church by a menstruating woman.

Main reasons for the ban

• The main thing is that according to beliefs, no one should shed blood in the temple. Even if someone in ancient times managed to get hurt in the temple, he had to leave it in order to stop it outside the church walls. This applied to both ordinary townspeople and clergy. If it did happen that blood sprinkled the floor or the icon, it needed to be re-consecrated.
• In the old days, women's clothing was different, and the risk of menstrual blood getting on the floor was very high. For this reason they were not allowed inside. Today this is impossible, since there are many useful means hygiene.
• Another version is the death of the egg, which some consider to be a spontaneous abortion. Allegedly, given to a woman by nature, painful bleeding is a punishment for Eve’s fall into heaven.

Communion and Baptism

The first rite symbolizes unity common man with the Son of God, who, before the sufferings that would come to him, as his own flesh and blood, shared bread and wine with the disciples. Communion is a beautiful sacrament, which is strictly prohibited during menstruation. The only thing is that if a woman seriously suffers from an illness associated with heavy bleeding, which happens with tumors, fibroids, etc., then she is allowed, but must be physically as clean as possible given her serious condition.

Those suffering must definitely warn the priest about their situation. The first prayer will always be for health. Before her, the sick confess and receive communion.

If the onset of menstruation unexpectedly occurs earlier than usual, then it is better to postpone a planned event, such as baptism. If this happened to the mother, she is not allowed into the temple, but the baby is still baptized.

Conclusion

Based on the above, you can draw the following useful conclusions for yourself.

• Visit Orthodox Church During menstruation, only the priest can allow it.
• Confess and receive communion healthy woman on critical days it is impossible.
• The priest will not refuse confession and communion to a woman with bleeding if she is seriously ill and prays for healing.

The rest of us have to wait unfavorable days and pray at home.