"Truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink." 

Today is Mid-Pentecost and a reminder that it is fully 25 days since I last attended the Divine Liturgy to take Holy Communion. This is not through choice of course, but circumstance. Being a foreigner, I am graciously allowed by the Russians to con-celebrate the Mystical Supper on their embassy’s ground at regular but all too infrequent occasions (Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost etc.)

However I am still blessed and must thank God. For the native Chinese, access to the Divine Liturgy is barred by their own Government. In the diocese of Rome’s case, a cardboard cut-out of bishops, priests, altars and pews is created by the Communists to lure the people through its false edifice. When the frontage falls away, like the cheap set of a 1950’s western, the lie is revealed: a Chinese church with all the moral paucity of the socialism it is pressured into preaching. There is no Real Presence here; though of course I have hope that God shows mercy and grace to the faithful who gather there to give heart-felt praise to His name.   

In the case of the Orthodox communion, the situation is clearer cut: the Chinese cannot take communion in Orthodox churches (not that there are any fully-functioning church buildings in China anyway). All activity or endeavor to allow the Chinese to partake in the Eucharist brings great risk, not least of all for the Chinese themselves.

So I am indeed blessed, and though I hunger for the next time I can approach the altar, at least I am able to freely and without fear of retribution from any other man. Until then I will continue to pray and do "the small things" that the saints have taught us. Most especially I will pray for those who are denied their right to sincerely approach the chalice and partake in Christ’s sacrifice to all mankind.

"In the middle of the feast, 0 Saviour, fill my thirsting soul with the
waters of godliness, as Thou didst cry unto all: If anyone is thirsty, let
him come to me and drink! 0 Christ God, Fountain of life, glory to Thee!"