R.P.Ts.
SWITCHES TO EXTRAORDINARY PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR CORONAVIRUS
Interfax-Religiia,
17
March 2020
Because
of the spread of the coronavirus, Patriarch Kirill issued
instructions for
clergy with preventive measures that are unprecedented for the
modern history
of the Russian Orthodox Church.
In
particular, now after each communicant, the spoon will be wiped
"with a
linen cloth soaked in alcohol (which is regularly resoaked) and
then will be
dipped into water (which is subsequently restored)," the
document
published on the RPTs website says.
Vladimir
Legoida, the head of the synodal Department for Relations of
Church with
Society and News Media, explained for Interfax that such a
practice was common
in prerevolutionary Russia during epidemics.
The
postcommunion drink (zapivka) will be given to communicants only
in a
disposable cup.
After
communing, the mouth will be wiped not with a linen cloth, as
previously, but
with a paper towel, which will be disposed of by burning.
Communicants
also will be urged to refrain from kissing the chalice.
For
distribution of the antidoron (pieces of blessed bread
distributed to
parishioners after the liturgy), disposable gloves will be used.
For
anointing, a
cotton swab (instead of a brush) and paper towel (instead of a
sponge) will be
used and subsequently burned.
In
addition, for the
time being, upon the conclusion of the liturgy it is not
recommended that the
cross be offered for kissing but instead the cross should be
laid on the head
of parishioners, the patriarch's instructions say. Also it is
recommended that
clergymen refrain from "offering their hand for kissing."
The
document also
urges that increased attention be given to washing utensils and
liturgical
vessels, wiping them after each liturgical use and carefully
washing them with
boiling water.
Patriarch
Kirill's
document notes that the indicated measures are to be used in the
Moscow diocese
until a change in the situation of the epidemic for the better
and for the sake
of pastoral concern for people, and also in response to a
request from health
authorities, "while maintaining firm faith in the operation of
the blessed
providence of God and in divine omnipotence." (tr. by PDS,
posted 17 March
2020)
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