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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 ]