In some parts of the Russian church, there is a custom before receiving holy communion that, in addition to reading the evening and morning prayers and attending vespers the night before, reading three devotional canons and an akathist. The canons are usually to Christ, the Theotokos and the guardian angel. There is a custom, among those who have the liturgical resources, to chant the following canons according to the day of the week: On a Monday: Canon to the Lord, the Theotokos, the Archangels, and if he so desire, the Guardian Angel On a Tuesday: Canon to Lord, the Theotokos, the Forerunner, and the Guardian Angel On a Wednesday: Canon to the cross, the Theotokos, and the Guardian Angel On a Thursday: Canon to the Lord, the Theotokos, the Guardian Angel, the Apostles and, if he so desire, Saint Nicholas On a Friday: Canon to the cross, the Theotokos, and the Guardian Angel On a Saturday: Canon to the Lord, the Theotokos, the Guardian Angel, and All Saints On a Sunday: Canon to the Lord, the Theotokos, and the Guardian Angel For Pascha (Easter) and Bright Week, this requirement is usually relaxed. Prayers before and after communion In all Orthodox churches, special prayers before and after communion are recited by the faithful before and after the Eucharist. In current practice, at least a portion of the pre-communion prayers are often recited during the divine liturgy. These prayers express humility and the communicants' sense of unworthiness for the gift they are about to receive. The post-Communion prayers are often read aloud by a reader or a member of the congregation after the liturgy and during the veneration of the cross, these prayers of thanksgiving expressing the communicants' joy at having received the holy mysteries "for the healing of soul and body". Irvingian practice The New Apostolic Church, the largest of the Irvingian Churches, teaches: Lutheran practice In the Lutheran tradition, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is believed to be really present in the sacrament of the Eucharist (see Sacramental union). Lutherans are taught to prepare to receive this sacrament through prayerful reflection upon their sinful nature, their need for a Savior, the promise that their sins are forgiven for the sake of Jesus' death on the Cross, and that the Eucharist gives this forgiveness to them. "Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a fine outward training," Martin Luther said,