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Dec 29th, 2019
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Can anyone explain to me why the Melkites have suppressed the use of the spoon for distributing communion, save for presanctified liturgies?
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Can anyone explain to me why the Melkites have suppressed the use of the spoon for distributing communion, save for presanctified liturgies? I thought that the use of the spoon was a uniquely Slavic practice that developed and was foreign to the Antiochene Byzantine tradition. I actually prefer the hand to the spoon myself. God bless, Gordo
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I have seen the spoon used among the Antiochian Orthodox.
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The spoon became wide spread in the Byzantine tradition around AD 600--well before the conversion of the Slavs.
It is still used by the Antiochian and Greek Orthodox churches as JohnRoss suggests.
It is not used by the Melkites today, in any of the four Divine Liturgies (John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, Pre-Sanctified Gifts, St James [for those in Jerusalem or travelling through Zakinthos]).
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Within the Syriac/Indian/non-Byzantine Antiochian tradition, administering via the spoon is the priest's option - he can opt to distribute by his hand or intinct. At some parishes, spoon has become somewhat of a altar item (representing the second coming) and is rarely used.
Last edited by Michael_Thoma; 08/24/07 11:09 AM.
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The Melkites are originally a Syriac/Antiochian Church, so, what ever the real reason as to why, it is fitting not to use the spoon because the Syriac tradition doesn't.
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The Melkites are originally a Syriac/Antiochian Church, so, what ever the real reason as to why, it is fitting not to use the spoon because the Syriac tradition doesn't. The Syriac Tradition does indeed use the sacramental spoon. From St. John's Malankara Orthodox site [ geocities.com]: Spoon: The sacramental spoon is to administer the Holy body and Blood.
Last edited by Michael_Thoma; 08/30/07 09:04 AM.
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Michael Thoma is correct, as the Malankara Orthodox and others of the "Syriac" tradition to indeed use the spoon. The spoon is not a reliable demarcation for "Syrian" or "non-Syrian" usage. I don't recall ever seeing intinction used in an Antiochian Archdiocese parish, but rather always the spoon. I prefer the spoon, both in giving and receiving Holy Communion.
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Hmm...I was under the impression that the Syriac tradition did not use the spoon and that this was of later introduction, prehaps a "hellenization"? I was speaking merely of early, and not present, practice.
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