By Dr. Theologos Papadopoulos,
Molecular Biologist
Everything will change. You see, the problem is not crowding and assembling. That was never the case.
The problem is Holy Communion. For the State, whatever we say as Christians is unconvincing. Two thousand years of history is a dead letter.
For the State, Holy Communion in the way transmitted to the faithful is a means of transmitting disease.
The State is not religious. When you see the most prominent leaders crowding in front of the solea of a church during the run-up to an election, ask them.
So don't waste your time with double standards. Don't compare an Orthodox church with a super market, banks, department stores and coffee shops. It's worse.
The debate has already opened - publicly by official hierarchical lips - on changing the way we receive Holy Communion based on the ancient tradition of the Divine Liturgy of Saint James.
That is, by first taking the Body in our right hand and then drinking the Blood from a common cup.
Even this could bother them, it could not suit them, and ultimately we will receive prepared individual portions of bread dipped in wine.
You know what? It doesn't bother me.
When the Martyrs were in prison the Christians brought them the Divine Pearl hidden in fruits, such as an apple or a grape like it was done to Saint Argyri. There are many such examples that we read about in the lives of the Holy Martyrs.
There is an amazing story about the Divine Liturgy in the years of the atheist Soviet regime. Forgive me for not remembering exactly where I read about it.
In a Russian city, the Bolsheviks, wanting to ridicule the worship of the Orthodox, came to an agreement and went to the main church.
There, among them, was a member of the party, a graduate of a seminary school. He knew how to read the prayers from the liturgical books.
So they rang the bell and made announcements for the people who wanted to liturgize to arrive, and the aforementioned Bolshevik began dressing in priestly vestments to perform the Divine Liturgy.
He did everything. He read the Gospel and also sanctified the Holy Gifts. Instead of wine, he put vodka and threw in a piece of dry bread.
He did everything. He read the Gospel and also sanctified the Holy Gifts. Instead of wine, he put vodka and threw in a piece of dry bread.
It is time for Divine Communion. He communicated them all with the utmost seriousness.
When it was over, the laughter and entertainment for the atheists began. He threw down the Holy Chalice and shouted to the surprised Christians that they were being fooled and given vodka and bread.
They started beating them, laughing at them, cursing them vulgarly. Undisturbed, an old man approached the vodka spilled on the floor with the remains of the bread.
And he began to lick the floor so that nothing would remain, just as the priest would do for Holy Communion. Everyone was amazed. "What is the old man doing? Has he lost it completely?" They let him finish.
He got up and told them.
"My children, I am a priest. Throughout your comedic act, I watched the All-Holy Spirit act. We all shared the Body and Blood of Christ. God forgive you for what you did. But thank you for being the cause of such a Gift in such a dark time."
The story, the essential analysis of which is not contained within, continues with a martyric end for many of those who were present.
Where do I want to end this? God looks at the choice. If our faith is solid and certain, it will not be shaken by anything.
If it is lukewarm, it will stray. Alas.
If I believe in the miracle of miracles but I am afraid of what is in front of me then everything is in vain. Everyone's motivation and choice will judge them when the time comes.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.