The Quarterly Journal of St. Philaret’s Institute

This article provides an analysis of the details involved in preparation for Holy Communion in the Serbian Orthodox Church from the 13th to the 17th centuries, focusing on both private (individual) and communal aspects of this process. The study aims to reconstruct an authentic picture of the preparation for the sacrament of the Eucharist in the Serbian Orthodox Church within its historical and cultural context.  
The Serbian Orthodox Church, which developed in close tandem with the Russian Orthodox Church, formed a unique liturgical tradition which is distinct from the Russian tradition. Special attention is given to the liturgical ethos of the Serbian people and its emphasis on the communal aspect of worship; this ethos is key to understanding influences on the tradition of preparation for Holy Communion. For a deeper understanding of these features, research draws not only on analysis of liturgical texts, but also on sources such as hagiographical literature, poetic works, and folk songs. While analysis of liturgical texts helps determine the structure of rites and identify key elements of preparation for communion, extra-liturgical sources like hagiographical literature, poetry, and folk songs allow us to trace how the particular Serbian liturgical ethos influenced the people’s spiritual perception of the Eucharist. 
The focus on private aspects of preparation for communion in this study explore believers’ self-awareness and spiritual aspirations. This research also delves into the communal aspect of preparation for communion, which is based on Serbian Christians’ sense of common destiny and spiritual kinship. This study provides invaluable insights into the depth of the Orthodox tradition and its significance for modern man.