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The National Herald - March 26, 2010
Vermont Parish Introduces Short-Lived Plastic Spoon Option for Communion
By Theodore Kalmoukos
BOSTON - Responding to fears about the H1N1 flu epidemic, the St.
Nicholas Greek Orthodox parish of Rutland,Vermont started using
individual plastic spoons for the Holy Communion - though it seems that
this new practice will not continue due to objections from the
Metropolis of Boston.
Mr. Theodore Corsones, a long-time member
of the parish, first raised the issue, in a letter to editor published
in National Herald on February 20, 2010. Corsones was responding to our
December 26 Edition article by Dr. John Collis, M.D.
Dr. Collis
stated in his article, "Some members of the Orthodox Church never take
communion because of the use of a common spoon...They all believe that
the use of a common spoon is unhygenic...Perhaps our church, i.e. our
bishops, could arrange for us Orthodox Christians to have the option of
receiving communion without a common spoon."
Corsones, a lawyer
and a life-long member of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox parish in
Rutland wrote that, in response to Dr. Collis' letter in TNH, as of this
winter, the following procedure has been adapted:
"The priest
instructs the parishioners who prefer to use individual plastic spoons
to be first in line. Then, as each one of them approaches, an altar
server provides a plastic spoon and the priest administers Holy
communion to each of them with the plastic spoon. Each spoon that is
used is discarded.
Then, those that wish to receive Holy Communion
with the common spoon do so immediately afterwards. It works very well
and all our pleased with this procedure.
During this winter
season, most parishioners are using individual plastic spoons."
The
parish belongs to the Metropolis of Boston. Metropolitan Methodios did
not reply to The Herald's written request for comments.
In a
telephone interview, Mr. Corsones said, "The parish took the initiative
because it was concerned about the swine flu. We are a small parish of
about 15 families our priest is Fr. Nicanor Koutelas. He is retired." He
added: "The priest is very understanding and he thought it was most
important that the parish participate in Holy Communion as the
parishioners recommended saying, 'Give us the option.' He said 'of
course', he said, 'What is important is for you to participate and take
Holy Communion, whether it is a metal spoon or plastic one is not the
issue, the issue is participating in the body and blood of Christ.'"
Corsones
himself receives Holy Communion with the traditional common spoon. The
Divine Liturgy is celebrated once a month, usually on the last Sunday of
the month. Rutland, Vermont is located about three and a half hours
from Boston by car.
When asked if Fr. Nicanor received special
permission from Metropolitan Methodios to use the plastic spoons,
Corsones said: "I do not want to get anybody in trouble, but I would
tell you that we wouldn't ever ask him to do anything, if he did not
discuss it with the Bishop. Fr. Nicanor did call Metropolitan Methodios
and the hierarch said, 'I understand the problem. You do what you
believe is best for your parish.'" He added: "Fr. Koutelas told me
exactly that the bishop was very understanding. He did not say, 'You
must do it this way, or you must do it that way.'"
Corsones also
said, "The parish is 100% in favor. The majority - almost all of them -
use the plastic spoon. Perhaps five of us use the common spoon."
When
asked about the plastic spoon usage, Fr. Koutelas explained: "There was
panic here because of the flu. I have older people up here and they had
difficulties receiving Holy Communion and I found a solution with the
plastic spoon." He explained that the common spoon still remained an
option. Fr. Koutelas said, "My faithful accepted it very well."
When
asked what is done with plastic spoons after they are used, the priest
explained: "We have a crucible at the church and we put them in it."
When
asked if he had informed Metropolitan Methodios, Fr. Koutelas said
"No," adding: "It was exclusively my initiative; the Metropolitan did
not have any responsibility."
However, Fr. Koutelas explained that
the Metropoitan "called me and he was very upset with me and he wanted
to punish me. We do not use the plastic spoons any more."
In
October 2009, the Metropolis of Boston issued a statement in English
about the swine flu and Holy Communion, which stated the following:
"It
should be noted that the Church has always been clear in its belief
that diseases are not transmitted from the Holy Chalice, which we
believe contains the very body and blood of our Savior.
Hence,
the distribution of Holy Communion was never a question, even when
various diseases ravaged the world. As is well known, Priests consume
what remains in the Chalice at the end of the Divine Liturgy, regardless
whether it was celebrated in a parish church, a hospital or hospice
chapel.
Orthodox Faithful have always acted responsibly. As we
face the reality of the present flu pandemic fears, Orthodox Christians
are urged to use discretion as they follow the directives of the medical
community."
[ Orthodox Truth | www.orthodox-truth.bugs3.com/art_2010_communion.html - March 26, 2010 ]
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