Saint Iakovos Tsalikis: “Most people come to the Mysteries without repentance…”

~ Around 1983, we found ourselves at the Holy Monastery of Saint David. I felt the need to confess, and so I stood before the holy elder, Saint Iakovos Tsalikis.

After reading the prayer of absolution for me, he suddenly began to speak — completely unexpectedly, without me asking him anything:

— “Andreas, my child, most people come to the Holy Mysteries without repentance.

In confession, of course, it is the spiritual father’s duty to help the faithful repent first, and then confess and receive absolution.

But in Holy Communion, they stand alone before Christ and must approach with contrition and repentance for their sins.

God has given me the gift to see those who come without repentance as dark, while those who have repented appear radiant.

Once, I saw a young man approaching for Holy Communion, completely dark. When he reached the Holy Chalice, I said to myself: ‘Who are you, Iakovos, to judge him?’

I made the mistake and gave him Communion! But as I placed the spoon in his mouth, I saw a flash of light leave the spoon and return to the Chalice.

I was stunned! The unrepentant man did not receive Communion!

God taught me that without repentance, neither should the faithful receive Communion, nor should the priest give it to them — if, of course, he knows.

The first responsibility of spiritual fathers is to teach repentance, and to offer the Mysteries of the forgiveness of sins and Holy Communion only to those who have truly repented.”