www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Eastern Communion Service in the absence of a Priest

If a priest is sick or not available on a Sunday is it permitted to have an "eastern communion service" with the consecrated particles kept in the tabernacle from a prior Divine Liturgy? Does such a thing exist? If so, what is the format and does anyone have a copy? Thank you!

Vesty, I have several electronically I could share if you send me a PM with contact info. I led a Typika service with Presanctified Gifts for several months as a subdeacon in the absence of a priest with the blessing of the Bishop. Protodeacon David Kennedy's is very good and was the inspiration for the version we used:

http://www.saintelias.com/DivServices_elia/Typika/Typika.html

Remember that anyone can lead just the regular monastic Typika without Communion as a Reader's Service, even with the Readings, but to give the Presanctified Gifts and to preach MUST only be with the specific direction and blessing of the Bishop.

Hmm - difficult situation but I'll have a stab.

It strikes me that this is not possible

No-one should enter the Altar without good reason and certainly not laity

So if you know that the Priest is prevented from coming then

1) go to the nearest BC Church if possible or failing that the local RC Church - where you will be able to assist in Mass and Receive Holy Communion there

2) Borrow a Priest

3) Have a Service of Typica [ and all the 'stuff' needed for that can be found on Fr John Whiteford's Site ]

Hope that helps

Anhelyna

Vesty,

In all reality, nothing should be done without the knowledge and blessing of the hierarch. It is one thing to abbreviate a service for diaconal or lay leadership, but with the Eastern and Orthodox mindset regarding the Eucharist, this is a matter for the hierarch only.

A lot of scandal and possibly other problems from the hierarch can befall those who act without a blessing or tacit permission.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+