Archbishop Elpidophoros of America publicly addressed the matter that has consumed the Greek Orthodox Church in America regarding his directive that instructed priests to begin using single-use spoons to share communion to faithful.
“It is not the way we receive, it is the Communion itself that saves us and gives us eternal life,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said during a town hall meeting of National Sisterhood of Presvyteres (the wives of clergy).
The issue of their husbands’ and their families’ health was the “central question on the minds of the Presvyteres, according to a press release by the Archdiocese.
“We will do whatever is necessary to protect the health of your husbands and of your families, of course, because a husband, a priest, exposed to any danger is a source of danger for his own wife and for children and for other relatives that happen to live together,” the Archbishop said.
“It is not the way we receive, it is the Communion itself that saves us and gives us eternal life,” Elpidophoros said.
After discussing the historical point of view, Archbishop Elpidophoros implored the Presvyteres to approach this issue with love and understanding for each member of the Church, “We have to do everything possible to keep everybody in communion. If there are faithful among us who do not feel comfortable with the one Common Spoon, perhaps we can offer an alternative; not something that is imposed, or forced, but an option.”
Is The Pappas Post worth $5 a month for all of the content you read? On any given month, we publish dozens of articles that educate, inform, entertain, inspire and enrich thousands who read The Pappas Post. I’m asking those who frequent the site to chip in and help keep the quality of our content high — and free. Click here and start your monthly or annual support today. If you choose to pay (a) $5/month or more or (b) $50/year or more then you will be able to browse our site completely ad-free!
Click here if you would like to subscribe to The Pappas Post Weekly News Update
4 comments
Now we have succumbed to the world on how we approach the sacraments.
We as GOA are going in the way of the Catholic church. If this is the case? I want out.
Well increasing your risk of getting corona will definitely be a way out
Wasn’t the Holy Lavida (Spoon) introduced through Holy Tradition? We believe that Grace exists in Holy Tradition, so the grace of communion extends to the Lavida. Also, this means that disease is not transmitted through the Lavida,
Oh no you now have to use a clean spoon….why it’s the end of the world!