A Response to “On administering Holy Communion in a Time of a Plague”
This was sent to me and deserves a read. You can read the Calivas article here . We can all agree that we are living in unusual times. However, the nature and extent of the illness that we face, and the proper response of the Church, is a matter of much disagreement. We have seen various responses to the COVID-19 epidemic: calls to close our Churches as infectious vectors, and demands to open them as places of spiritual healing. Directives a) ordering the cessation of sacramental life as part of an effort to “flatten the curve,” and cries for access to the divine grace that flows forth from those very mysteries; b) calling for the restriction of “at-risk persons,” and serious questions about the validity of such controls, c) instructions to liturgists to wear personal protective equipment during the celebration of the divine services and the distribution of the holy Mysteries, and uncertainty about the fitness of such practices. Who has been championing what and on behalf of whom? The ...
Why do the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA even still exist? I don't have a problem with them but it strikes me as odd especially since ROCOR/Moscow/OCA are now playing nice. I have followed the PP's for years and I don't think they have grown a single parish anywhere in the USA. If they were active in the missionary fiels I'd say 'good for them' but they don't seem to do anything but sit there. Does anyone out there belong to a PP church and can explain their purpose?
ReplyDeleteIt may sound harsh but I say either 'grow or go', in other words join the OCA or ROCOR.