Preaching Goes Viral

The Pandemic and American Orthodox Christian Parishes

Communion, when COVID-adapted

Faithful opens mouth and priest put particles on tongue and receiving person doesnʹt close mouth until priest takes the spoon out. This way there is no touch with the spoon. We use the same spoon and then dip it in boiling water and use it again I use 2 spoons to “dump” (seems so crass!) the Holy Communion in the parishionerʹs mouth. Between each person I dip the spoons in alcohol, then rinse in very hot water, then dry off with clean, disposable paper towel sections, which are later burned. We use multiple spoons disinfected in grain alcohol after each use We use multiple spoons, soaking the used spoons in boiling water. People are instructed not to kiss the chalice. They do not use the cloth to wipe their mouth: paper towels are used instead and burned afterwards We use a different disposable wooden spoon for each person What techniques are being used by the 16% of the parishes that reported having “found ways to continue offering Holy Communion to all or most parishioners”? Below is a selection of the methods described by the priests of these parishes:

2022-12-16

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Alexei Krindatch