ow does the Orthodox Christian Church view the Mysteria (ries) (Sacraments) specifically Holy Communion?

Some teach that Holy Communion or the Lord's Mystical ("Last") Supper (which Orthodox Christians call "the Eucharist") is only a sign or symbol. Most of Christendom, however, believes it is far more. The Orthodox Church has always believed that we, in a mystery, receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. What do Holy Scripture teach concerning Holy Communion?

During the reign of the impious Diocletian, who raised up a great persecution against the Christians, there lived in the city of Iconium a fair and noble maiden named Parasceva. Her parents, who were Orthodox, reared her well, instructing her in the holy faith and teaching her to keep the Lord's commandments. However, they reposed in the Lord while their blessed daughter was still very young, so she was left as their considerable estate.

The older I grew, the more I perceive the instability the vanity of earthly things. Oh, why do we trouble ourselves in vain? Our life is short--dust, ashes, a dream--and in a little while we shall taste corruption. Today you have your health, and tomorrow you lose it; today you are laughing, and tomorrow you are sullen. Now your eyes are shedding tears from an abundance of joy, and soon they will be shedding tears from pain and grief; today the economy is stable, and tomorrow misfortune strikes; today you receive good news, and in a little while bad news replaces it.

The feast day celebrates the appearance of the Theotokos, Mother of God at Vlachernae in the 10th Century. At the end of Saint Andrew of Constantinople, he, with his disciple Saint Epiphanius, and a group of the faithful, saw the Mother of God, Saint John the Baptist, and several other Saints and Angels during a vigil in the Church of Vlachernae, nearby the city gates. The Vlachernae Palace church was where several of her holy relics were kept. The holy relics were her robe, veil, and part of her belt that had been transferred from Palestine during the 5th century.

The holy great-martyr Demetrios was born in the city of Thessaloniki and was the son of noble and pious parents. His father was the Military Governor of Thessaloniki, and secretly believed in our Lord Jesus Christ and labored for Him. He did not dare, however, to confess the Lord's Most Holy Name openly, for at that time the impious emperors were tormentors of Christians and had raised up a great persecution against the faithful (believers). Since he feared the threats of the cruel and iniquitous rulers, he hid within himself the pearl of great price, the faith which is in Christ. But in his palace he secretly kept two holy icons, adorned with gold and precious stones, one of our Incarnate Savior Jesus Christ and the other of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Saint Luke the Evangelist mentions in the book of Acts of the Apostles: "She was devoted to good works and acts of charity" (9:36). She lived in the Palestinian town of Joppa, where she was a weaver by trade. She'd become a Christian and lived out her faith in her everyday life. Her heart over flowed with innocent love for those of her fellow-citizens who were in pain or poverty. For this reason she worked day and night making clothing which she then sold, giving the proceeds to those in need.