ROC Commission: Those with celiac disease, gluten allergy can commune of Blood of Christ

Moscow, November 19, 2024

Photo: ​rusk.ru Photo: ​rusk.ru     

The Russian Orthodox Church’s Synodal Commission on Bioethics has published recommendations regarding Holy Communion for people suffering from celiac disease, pseudo-celiac disease, and wheat gluten allergy (conditions causing bread intolerance). The document was adopted in response to requests from dioceses and individual believers.

The recommendations state that special gluten-free bread cannot be used for the Eucharist. Instead, it is recommended that people with gluten-associated diseases receive only the Blood of Christ, specially separated “after the consecration of the Holy Gifts and the filling of the chalice with the Body of Christ, but before the immersion of particles for the communion of parishioners.”

A layperson with such a condition who wishes to receive Communion should inform the priest in advance.

“In case of approaching death and transition to eternity, a layman suffering from celiac disease may receive the reserve Gifts, Which are the Body and Blood of Christ,” the document notes. It also states that people with celiac disease should refrain from seeking ordination to holy orders, since a priest or deacon must consume the remaining particles after the Liturgy.

The document reads in full:

Recommendations of the Synodal Commission on Bioethics Regarding Holy Communion for Persons Suffering from Celiac Disease, Pseudo-Celiac Disease, and Wheat Gluten Allergy

I. Use of Bread for the Celebration of the Eucharist

  1. Gluten-free bread cannot be used for the celebration of the Eucharist.

  2. There is no need to prepare special bread for the Eucharist, as Communion for priests and laity in the Orthodox Church is administered under both species: the Body and Blood of Christ.

II. Communion of the Blood of Christ

  1. A layman suffering from a gluten-associated disease may commune of just the Blood of Christ, as the Savior is fully present in It. When administering Communion with only the Blood of Christ, the priest should say: “The servant of God (name) partakes of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

  2. A layman suffering from gluten-associated diseases may commune of the Holy Blood that is separated after the consecration of the Holy Gifts and the filling of the chalice with the Body of Christ, but before the immersion of particles for the communion of parishioners.

  3. A layman suffering from a gluten-associated disease who intends to commune of just the Blood of Christ must inform the priest about his condition in advance.

III. Special Considerations

  1. In case of approaching death and transition to eternity, a layman suffering from celiac disease may receive the reserve Gifts, Which are the Body and Blood of Christ.

  2. Laymen suffering from celiac disease are recommended to refrain from seeking ordination to holy orders.

In August 2022, the hierarchs of the Finnish Orthodox Church (Patriarchate of Constantinople) resolved that “When there’s a need for gluten-free Holy Gifts, a priest may consecrate a Lamb made from gluten-free flour during the Divine Liturgy and treat it as the Holy Gifts from the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, using a separate chalice.”

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11/19/2024

See also
How Christ Gives Us His Flesh How Christ Gives Us His Flesh
St. Makary (Nevsky) How Christ Gives Us His Flesh How Christ Gives Us His Flesh
Words to the Communicants of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, Part 2
St. Makary (Nevsky), Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna
Therefore, that which you, Christian, commune of from the hand of the priest under the appearance of bread and wine is that very Body that the Lord gave to the Apostles under the appearance of bread, that very Blood that He gave them under the appearance of wine. Finnish Church blesses consecration of separate gluten-free Eucharist for those with celiac disease Finnish Church blesses consecration of separate gluten-free Eucharist for those with celiac disease Finnish Church blesses consecration of separate gluten-free Eucharist for those with celiac disease Finnish Church blesses consecration of separate gluten-free Eucharist for those with celiac disease
After more than two years of investigating the issue, the hierarchs of the Finnish Church have come to a decision about how to commune people who suffer from celiac disease. Communing the faithful with one spoon: When did it start? Is it necessary? What does it mean? Communing the faithful with one spoon: When did it start? Is it necessary? What does it mean?
Priest Andrei Chizhenko Communing the faithful with one spoon: When did it start? Is it necessary? What does it mean? Communing the faithful with one spoon: When did it start? Is it necessary? What does it mean?
Priest Andrei Chizhenko
The Communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ is the closest most intimate communion of man with God. And the Spoon is a symbol of this communion.

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