GENEVA – The Ecumenical Patriarchate clarified, through the Press and Communications Office, that there would be no change in the way Holy Communion is received.

The entire clarification announcement follows:

“Following questions about the use of multiple or disposable spoons during the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the Ecumenical Patriarchate clarified that it found “no need for a change of this mode, especially under pressure from external factors.”

In particular, the Ecumenical Patriarchate answered the questions about whether multiple or disposable spoons used during Holy Communion are “blessed” by referring to the communiqué of the Holy and Sacred Synod, which was held on the 25th of June:

a) The Mystery of the Divine Eucharist is non-negotiable because we believe that through it is administered to the faithful the Body and Blood of the Savior Christ “unto the remission of sins and life eternal” and it is impossible that through this Mystery of Mysteries any disease might be communicated to those who partake. For this reason, the Church remains steadfast and immovable in its teaching towards the essence of the Mystery of Holy Communion.

b) As to the mode of distributing the ineffable Mysteries to the faithful, the Church, respecting Holy Tradition that is interwoven inextricably with the daily ecclesiastical practice and kenotic experience, and as the guardian and vigilant watchman of those traditions handed down from the Holy Father, finds no need for a change of this mode, especially under pressure from external factors.

However, it was clarified that the ecclesiastical Economia is always carried out under special circumstances:

a) The State prohibits by law the offering of Holy Communion due to a pandemic, and b) The Mother Church of Constantinople grants such permission. “However,” according to the communiqué, “the thing is, on the one hand, not about changing the way of receiving Holy Communion and, on the other hand, it is obviously not about using multiple or disposable holy spoons.”