www.byzcath.org Forums Mysteries: The Life of Worship Vespers, Matins & the Divine Liturgy Greek Orthodox Communion

In speaking with a colleague recently, I was told of a time that she attended a Greek Orthodox Sunday Divine Liturgy. Being a Byzantine Catholic myself, I was very interested to hear her response to the Eastern Liturgy.

She recalled that her great-nephew (who is Orthodox, and no more than 5) received Holy Communion, for which I assured her was okay and "the way it is done in the East." What confused both of us was the way he received. She said that the Communion Bread was a very large loaf that was cut into very big pieces. The five year old went up for communion, and instead of receiving from the spoon, was given a large handful of the Eucharist, for which he then began to consume on his way back to the pew. Crumbs went everywhere and his mother was very busy picking up each one and consuming it. I asked if this particle (or chunk) had been mingled with the Chalice, and she didn't think so.

My assumption was that she misunderstood and what she was actually viewing was Litya at the end of the D.L. She was adamant that this was Holy Communion, for it happened midway through the Liturgy, and they still had the Litya at the end of it all.

I confess that I have heard of abuses to the Eucharist in the past (in the Latin Church), but never to this extent. Has anyone else ever heard of such a thing, and if so, how common is this? My mind is really quite boggled at the moment.

It could also be antidoron, which is given out at communion after people receive. In greek churches the pieces are rather large.

In some Orthodox churches, antidoron is made available immediately after communion; i.e., the bread is put out on a small table where the faithful can take it on their way back from receiving. Often, there is a small cup of wine, with which to wash it down.

For sure she got it wrong. As the resident cradle Greek Orthodox here, I can assure you that he received from the chalice and then picked up a large piece of 'antidoron' which is offered right after taking communion.

Usually, in Greek churches, an altar boy is holding a basket with the bread very close to the priest and communicants. One is supposed to be reverend with the bread because it was blessed, so if crumbs fall, one should pick them up and consume them (especially if they are large crumbs). The prosphoro bread can be very crumby, especially if it is not super fresh (in other words--baked just that morning).

After the liturgy, we (those who communed and those who did not, as well as guests and non-Orthodox) also take a piece of 'antidoron' after we kiss the priest's hand and greet him.

Hope this helps.

From wikipedia:

While attending Liturgy at a summer pilgrimage, I witnessed a rather disturbing sight when a child about 5 years of age was given Communion and immediately spit it to the ground as his mother was receiving. She did not see it happen and before anyone could retrieve the sacred particles, several people in the crowded communion line had already walked on them.
Although it occurred several years ago, it still troubles me.

Thank you all for your kind answers. I'm sure it was the Antidoron, and not what she thought was the Eucharist. Our parish has the basket of Antidoron available at the end of the DL, so I was not familiar with the Greek Orthodox practice or receiving it immediately after reception of the Eucharist. I will make sure to give my colleague this information, so as to calm her after being quite scandalized.

Peace brothers and sisters!