By Philip Chrysopoulos
The German government has decided to ban Holy Communion in the form it is given to Orthodox Christians in fear that it is conducive to the spread of coronavirus and endangers public health.
Even though the Divine Liturgy in Orthodox churches can recommence as of Saturday, German Metropolitan Augustine sent a circular to priests, informing them that the faithful can not receive the Holy Communion.
“In view of the opening of the holy churches in German territory, legislative decrees were issued which, in addition to the other security measures that we have already adopted, go so far as to regulate the manner of Holy Communion, that is, to forbid Holy Communion from the Holy Grail with use of Agia Lavida,” the circular says.
There are more than 80 large Greek Orthodox parishes and many more smaller ones in Germany, serving the needs of over 400,000 Greek migrants to Germany, while also being places of social interaction.
