Preaching Goes Viral

The Pandemic and American Orthodox Christian Parishes

Ritual purification, when COVID-adapted

First, many clergy wrote that they hear Confessions online or on the phone. Some were not particularly satisfied with this solution: “Confession is done online. I find it very unsatisfactory.” “Confession only by phone or online, but few have taken up this offer.” Another common topic was about clergy who were willing to visit in‐person parishioners to perform the Sacraments, but the church members (especially, older) were reluctant to have any visitors: “I have offered to the parish to visit their homes to personally administer the sacraments, but with a mostly older parish, many are afraid to have me over.” A number of clergy emphasized that they cannot even consider performing Sacraments, because of strict orders and prohibitions from their hierarchs: “I want to begin offering Holy Communion, Holy Confession, and Holy Unction to parishioners on a one‐by‐one appointment basis (at least), but this request was not granted by my Metropolitan.”

2022-12-16

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Alexei Krindatch