“Gluten-free communion” in Phanar-affiliated churches slammed in the U.S.

Conference in Weston. Photo: Orthodox Observer

The American branch of the Union of Orthodox Journalists published a news article criticizing Archbishop Elpidophoros' recent decision to approve so-called “Food-Sensitive Eucharistic Gifts” during an “Adaptive Liturgy” at St. Demetrios Church in Weston, Massachusetts.

The critique was published in response to a report on the conference titled “Gathered as One Body: Disability, Accessibility, and Inclusion in the Orthodox Church”, organized by the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross in cooperation with the Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

"But the real scandal – the one that may skirt the line of heresy – is the introduction of so-called Food-Sensitive Eucharistic Gifts," the article states.

The author condemns the move as a manifestation of “disbelief in the Eucharist,” and notes that this is not the first time the Greek Archdiocese has, in their view, demonstrated a “lack of faith” in the sacrament of Holy Communion.

"Remember 2020, when they introduced multiple spoons for the distribution of Communion? Apparently, the Body and Blood of the God-Man could cleanse sin and defeat death, but couldn’t quite manage to sterilize a spoon. Now, it seems, the Eucharist is reduced to mere bread and wine – a dietary risk to those with gluten sensitivity. Madness!" the article underscores.

The publication also questions whether the innovation is statistically justified. The author notes that, given Orthodox Christians make up about 1% of the U.S. population and only around 0.75% of Americans have true gluten intolerance, the number of Orthodox faithful affected by the issue must be very slim.

In addition to changing the composition of the prosphora, the conference presented other elements of the “adaptive liturgy,” such as hypoallergenic incense and sign language interpreters during services.

"I pray that my Greek brothers and sisters will raise their voices, and that this blasphemy will be consigned to the ash heap of history – alongside the unholy alliance that funds it," the author concludes.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Archbishop Elpidophoros presented a cross to Donald Trump at the White House.

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