ONLY Orthodox Christians may receive the communion in the Orthodox Church.
The Roman Catholics are told by their priest that they can... but that is not correct.
My nephew is a convert to Orthodoxy and he told me a story of a couple of Roman Catholic women who came into visit an Orthodox Church in a city in the Southern USA.. the Church is part of the Orthodox Church in America. They identified themselves to the deacon as Roman Catholics and were told by the priest, that ONLY confessed and fasting Orthodox Christians may recieve communion.
In fact, when we attended the lovely ceremony when my nephew was brought into the Orthodox Church... I saw that sentence written in a bulletin type paper that was given us.
It is not really OK to go to a church and assume that your own priest at your home Church, makes rules for the church you are visiting. Especially since you are a guest, not a member of the religion.
Perhaps the Pope did tell his members that. However, I cannot imagine he would say something that the Orthodox would NOT agree to.
Like your screen name by the way.
Maybe some misinform, but not mine. On Palm Sunday I went to confession and discussed attending a Divine Liturgy with my Priest. He informed me that it was fine, and seemed to encourage it in his tone of voice.
He did point out that I might not be able to receive the Eucharist, which I already knew. So, in reply to his attempt at diplomatically telling me what the score was, I told him that I knew they absolutely would not let me, and he laughed an approving laugh.
The good and holy Fr. Bonsignore would never lead one of his sheep astray. And of course, that's why I really like him!
"In fact, when we attended the lovely ceremony when my nephew was brought into the Orthodox Church... I saw that sentence written in a bulletin type paper that was given us"
For years we never saw a Roman Catholic present themselves for communion at our Orthodox Church but over the past 18 months it has happened several times, always with women and once one of the women made quite a scene when the priest explained, very quietly that he couldn't give her communion. Since that Sunday, the priest has had to announce before communion that only Orthodox Christians, properly prepared by fasting and confession and living their lives in accord with the teachings of the Church (which means among other things, if you are living with your paramour, don't come up) may receive.
Frankly we've all been very surprised that Romans would approach for communion since we certainly wouldn't in a Roman Church. Perhaps if the day ever comes that we are in communion we will, but before that its simply wrong to pretend we have a unity which just doesn't exist, however much we might wish it did. And of course, we're in America, not Lebanon! :)
I don't claim to be an expert in Church dogma. I'm just reiterating what our Orthodox Archbishop said. It is not meant to imply that just because you are a Catholic you can receive communion in an Orthodox church. I believe it means if there is NO Roman Catholic church available, for say, hundreds of miles, as a last resort, you may be able to receive communion in an Orthodox church.
I have always been told not to receive communion in a non-Orthodox church because, in effect, I would be excommunicating myself. I know Protestant churches generally welcome all "baptized Christians" to receive communion in their church.
My understanding is that it does not violate Roman Catholic rules if a Roman Catholic takes Communion in an Orthodox Church in an exceptional circumstance.