The document was approved by the decision of the Holy Synod\nof March 17, 2020 (journal # 30).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the sake of pastoral care of people, as well as in\nresponse to the request of the sanitary authorities, while maintaining a firm\nfaith in God’s good Providence and in Divine omnipotence, the following rules\nare adopted, taking into account the canonical and liturgical Traditions of the\nRussian Orthodox Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Until the epidemiological situation changes for the better\nand the diocesan administration gives appropriate instructions to terminate\nthis instruction in full or in part, the following must be done in parishes,\nPatriarchal, Episcopal and monastic buildings, as well as in stauropigial and\ndiocesan monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concerning The Communion Of The Holy Mysteries Of Christ<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Bearing in mind that the offering of a Bloodless\nSacrifice can never be canceled, because where there is no Eucharist, there is\nno Church life, and also that the Holy Body and Blood of Christ are taught for the\nhealth of both the soul and the body (see, for example, the prayers of St. John\nChrysostom, the 7th and 9th of the Preparation to Holy Communion), taking into\naccount, however, the historical practice of the Orthodox Church in the\nconditions of epidemics[1], \u2014 Communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ is to\nbe done with wiping the spoon with an alcohol-soaked cloth after each\ncommunicant (with regular renewal of the impregnation) and then dipping the\nspoon in water with respective disposal of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. The water after Communion must be served separately for\neach participant in disposable glasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Use disposable sanitary gloves to distribute the\nantidoron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Cloth for the communion of the laity must be used only to\nprotect the Holy Mysteries from possible falling on the floor and for wiping\nthe spoon only. Wiping of the mouths of the communicants must be with paper\nnapkins which will be burnt. The cloths should be boiled and washed with due\nreverence after each liturgical use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Communicants should refrain from kissing the Chalice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concerning the performance of the sacraments of Baptism and\nAnointing<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Strictly adhere to the practice of changing and\nconsecrating water for each individual case. In this regard, the sacrament of\nBaptism is performed only individually with intermediate disinfection (wiping)\nof the font (baptistery) with a disinfectant liquid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. For anointing with oil, use a cotton swab (instead of a\nstring) and a paper napkin (instead of a sponge), followed by burning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concerning the performance of the sacrament of unction<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. When anointing the sick in the temples, use for each\nparishioner individually disposable cotton swabs, which must be burnt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other instructions regarding the performance of services,\npastoral practice, and parish life<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Instead of presenting the cross for kissing at the end of\nthe divine Liturgy and other services, it is recommended to place the cross on\nthe heads of parishioners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Returning to the statutory practice, which has been\nchanged in recent years, anointing at the all-night vigil is performed only in\ncases when the litias and the consecration of oil are performed. When anointing\nuse for each parishioner separately a disposable string (a cotton swab) with\nsubsequent disposal. In other cases, perform kissing of the gospel or a festive\nicon (cross) after the polyeleos only with the blessing of the priest and\nwiping the gospel and icon (cross) after each kissing using a disinfectant\nsolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11. Clergymen are advised to refrain from offering their\nhands for kissing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12. Use disposable hygiene gloves to distribute the\nprosphora and consecrated bread at the all-night vigil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Pay special attention to the cleanliness of utensils and\nliturgical vessels, wiping them after each liturgical use and thoroughly\nwashing them with boiling water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
14. Suspend the work of Sunday schools, as well as parish\nsections and activities until further notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
15. If possible, the social services of parishes and\nmonasteries should help elderly parishioners to deliver food and essential\ngoods to their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
General instructions<\/p>\n\n\n\n
16. Abbots should instruct employees of parishes and\nmonasteries to strictly observe general hygiene measures, including hand\ndisinfection during the day (at least once every 2 hours).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
17. Provide frequent airing of churches, parish and\nmonastery premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
18. Regularly treat the surfaces of temple furniture (including places for\nwriting notes, candle boxes, etc.), as well as door handles with disinfectant\nsolutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
19. Regularly treat with disinfecting solutions icons\nlocated in the Church, which are applied to the parishioners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
20. Clergymen, clergy, and employees of parishes and\nmonasteries should be responsible and attentive to their well-being. If you\nfeel unwell, immediately inform the rector and seek medical help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
21. Abbots and rectors are required to measure the\ntemperature before the start of the working day (for example, using a\nnon-contact thermometer) for priests, clergy, and church employees who interact\nwith a large number of parishioners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
22. Explain to parishioners that the implementation of the\nimposed regulations and restrictions should be performed as following the words\nof the Holy Scripture:” do not tempt the Lord your God ” (MT. 4:7).\nAlso explain to parishioners that in case of symptoms of flue or other\ninfectious diseases, they should refrain from visiting churches for the sake of\nlove for their neighbors and care for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[1] – in particular: communion of patients with infectious\ndiseases after other communicants (or even at a separate service) with wiping\nafter each communicant with a cloth and then burning it; the use of a separate\nvessel for the patients and the spoon, washing them in vinegar with the pouring\nof the latter into a dry well<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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