Do Eastern Catholics use liturgical spoons?

[5Loaves]

Most Eastern Catholics who use the Byzantine liturgy use pre-cut pieces and do not follow the traditional form as noted above. St Elias UGCC in the Toronto area is a notable exception.

Is that true, or do you mean the Byzantine Catholic Church in America ie the Ruthenian Church in America? We (Russian Greek Catholic parish) bake our own, both Lambs and prosphora used for the Proskomedia during with the priest does all the cutting from a whole Lamb, and from prosphora.

 

[Vico]

Our parish is Byzantine, and a parishioner bakes the phosphora, with the die imprint on it:

IC XC
NI KA

We only use one phosphora, about 5" to 6" across, and about 2" tall. Water, wheat, and yeast only.

 

[Byz_Guy]

Is that true, or do you mean the Byzantine Catholic Church in America ie the Ruthenian Church in America? We (Russian Greek Catholic parish) bake our own, both Lambs and prosphora used for the Proskomedia during with the priest does all the cutting from a whole Lamb, and from prosphora.

The Russian Catholics do not use pre-cut pieces. But, most Eastern Catholic parishes which follow the Byzantine liturgy do. There are a few notable exceptions:

orthocath.wordpress.com/2010/08/08/of-prosphoras-and-pre-cut-pieces/

 

[Crescentinus]

The Russian Catholics do not use pre-cut pieces. But, most Eastern Catholic parishes which follow the Byzantine liturgy do. There are a few notable exceptions:

orthocath.wordpress.com/2010/08/08/of-prosphoras-and-pre-cut-pieces/

Is the liturgical spear used to cut the prosphoron into particles?

 

[Zekariya]

Is the liturgical spear used to cut the prosphoron into particles?

The liturgical spear is used to cut out particles that represent the Theotokos, saints, etc.

 

[Crescentinus]

The liturgical spear is used to cut out particles that represent the Theotokos, saints, etc.

The liturgical spear and the liturgical spoon both look so awesome.

 

[rciadan]

I love a few things about this:

1. 
   *]Every one receives from the priest. There are NO EMHC’s!
   *]Intinction, which guarantees it will always be the priest only
   *]the theology of the Eucharistic bread
   1. 
      *]Christ, of course
      *]the triangle, representing the Theotokos
      *]the particles that represent the saints
      
      I contemplate these things whilst the Anaphora is being sung, while I am singing, and as I come forward to receive Him in this most blessed sacrament.

 

[rdorseyhsd]

Our Italo Greek church, although a parish of a Ruthenian Eparchy, is Greek oriented. The prosphoras we use is larger than that used by the Slavic Churches. We cut the bread into larger pieces and normally receive our lord by hand. We do have the golden spoon and it is used occasionally.

 

[5Loaves]

I love a few things about this:

1. 
   *]Every one receives from the priest.

1. 
   Or from the deacon.

 

[rciadan]

Or from the deacon.

The main thought is that it is from an ordained clergy…

 

[ConstantineTG]

I love a few things about this:

1. 
   *]Every one receives from the priest. There are NO EMHC’s!
   *]Intinction, which guarantees it will always be the priest only
   *]the theology of the Eucharistic bread
   1. 
      *]Christ, of course
      *]the triangle, representing the Theotokos
      *]the particles that represent the saints
      
      I contemplate these things whilst the Anaphora is being sung, while I am singing, and as I come forward to receive Him in this most blessed sacrament.

1. 1. 
      As noted, the deacon can give Communion. And also, there is no rules against intinction by the deacon in the East. It is the deacon who places the Body into the chalice, regardless if he is the one who gives Communion or not.

 

[Singapore_Nick]

is it hygienic to give out communion bread/wine in spoon ?

 

[Singapore_Nick]

hygienic to give out communion in spoon ?

 

[ConstantineTG]

is it hygienic to give out communion bread/wine in spoon ?

When we receive, we only think about Christ, nothing else.

 

[Vico]

is it hygienic to give out communion bread/wine in spoon ?

The spoon is used to retrieve and serve the Holy Eucharist to the communicant and sometimes the side of the spoon does come in contact with the edge of the communicants mouth. Normally the communicants do not close their mouth on the spoon, rather, a drop occurs. The spoon comes into contact with the Holy Blood (containing alcohol) before the next communicant receives.

 

[Jegudiel]

Particular Law for the Byzantine-Ruthenian Church in the USA allows both deacons and laity to distribute communion if there is a true need:

"Canon 709 §2
§l. In cases of true necessity, deacons may distribute the Divine Eucharist.
§2. In the same cases, even minor clerics and members of the laity can be designated to distribute the Divine Eucharist.
1o. A parish may have one person designated for this purpose plus another for each 75 communicants at the Liturgy…

byzcath.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=334

So it’s wrong to suggest that only the ordained may distribute holy communion in the Eastern Side of the Catholic Church. Further, depending on individual church configuration (standing ahead of the iconstasis) there is nothing in the above language that prohibits a female from distributing holy communion in the Byzantine-Ruthenian Church in the USA.

FWIW, there is absolutely no prohibition in the Latin Rite of the Church for properly commissioned lay members to distribute communion via intinction if there is indeed a need for them to distribute communion.

 

[Jegudiel]

Spoon and spear together: easternchristiansupply.biz/mm/products/4/40/406/40677/extras/40677.jpeg

Lance, not “spear.”

 

[5Loaves]

The spoon is used to retrieve and serve the Holy Eucharist to the communicant and sometimes the side of the spoon does come in contact with the edge of the communicants mouth. Normally the communicants do not close their mouth on the spoon, rather, a drop occurs. The spoon comes into contact with the Holy Blood (containing alcohol) before the next communicant receives.

There are Churches where the communicants actually do clamp down on the spoon with their lips. I think in these parishes the red napkin is used to wipe the spoon between communicants.

 

[Vico]

There are Churches where the communicants actually do clamp down on the spoon with their lips. I think in these parishes the red napkin is used to wipe the spoon between communicants.

I haven’t see that, rather receive by spoon (touching), then blot the mouth with the red communion cloth, then kiss the Chalice. Also, infants usually touch the spoon when receiving.

 

[5Loaves]

I haven’t see that, rather receive by spoon (touching), then blot the mouth with the red communion cloth, then kiss the Chalice. Also, infants usually touch the spoon when receiving.

I was surprised to see people closing their lips around the spoon in a video some time back. So I asked about it and got the response that this is not unusual someplaces, now I don’t remember where. Perhaps outside the US since here we always talk about opening your mouth wide like a baby bird for the priest or deacon to toss the Eucharist in with the spoon, in the Churches where this is the practice.