(orthochristian.com)
- The Bishops’ Council of the Finnish Orthodox Church (Patriarchate of
Constantinople) met on February 18 in Helsinki under the chairmanship of
Archbishop Leo of Helsinki and All Finland, discussing, among other things, the
issue of people who suffer from celiac disease receiving Holy Communion.
The report from the hierarchical session reads:
Gluten-free Holy Gifts
Those who suffer from celiac disease cannot commune of the Body of Christ at the Eucharist due to their intolerance to wheat protein. Those who suffer from an acute form cannot commune of the Blood of Christ either, because it could also contain particles of wheat flour.
After discussing the issue, the Bishops’ Council instructed Fr. John Lampropoulos to find out the practice of the Greek Orthodox Church in this matter, after which the need for consultation with the Ecumenical Patriarchate will be assessed.
The report from the hierarchical session reads:
Gluten-free Holy Gifts
Those who suffer from celiac disease cannot commune of the Body of Christ at the Eucharist due to their intolerance to wheat protein. Those who suffer from an acute form cannot commune of the Blood of Christ either, because it could also contain particles of wheat flour.
After discussing the issue, the Bishops’ Council instructed Fr. John Lampropoulos to find out the practice of the Greek Orthodox Church in this matter, after which the need for consultation with the Ecumenical Patriarchate will be assessed.