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“Feed My Lambs”
To the Orthodox Christian Faithful of the United States of America:
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
In this time of global pandemic, the majority of the Faithful of our
Churches have been withheld from receiving Holy Communion and attending
Divine Services in order to safeguard their health and the health of
others. We, the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA, are taking action to restore the possibility of Holy Eucharist to the “lambs” of Christ, in accordance with His word.[1]
We are aware that the course of the disease is not certain by any means. The structures that were put into place for Holy Week and the Holy Pascha,
and which remain the common practice to this moment, may be necessary
again in the future, depending on the best public health assessments and
legal requirements.
Nevertheless, we have heard the pained cry of the Faithful who,
although faithful in their devotion, as witnessed by virtual
participation in broadcast services and their continuing stewardship
support of the Church, have felt an intense separation from Holy
Eucharist and their Communities.
Therefore, in order to meet the spiritual nourishment of our Orthodox
Christians in this time of the careful and considered re-opening of
societal functions – with all the diverse legal restrictions among
varying civil jurisdictions and with recommendations from public health
experts – we have developed a common toolkit
to facilitate the nourishing of the Faithful through the Most Pure Body
and Most Precious Blood of our Risen God and Savior, our Lord Jesus
Christ, and return to liturgical services.
The system takes into account the plentitude of differing realities
in the various regions, jurisdictions, and demographics throughout the
country. It considers the wide-ranging parish sizes, local policies, and
climate conditions. It provides each bishop assistance in determining a
way forward that, when applied properly and tailored for specific
parishes, leads to the best practice for a given scenario. Thus, there
will be instances where one parish might be able to open while
conditions remain unsafe for another. For this reason, it is of utmost
importance for faithful to attend only their “home” parish during this
period of restoration and follow the directives of their
presiding bishop. Attending a neighboring parish can elevate risk, shift
the aforementioned considerations, and contribute to regression.
Finally, we acknowledge that this is a first step in a long journey,
in which we rely on the Mercy of God. With faith in the Resurrection of
our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray that better days will soon be seen, and
the resumption of the normative practices of the worshipping Church may
return to their full exercise.
It was the Lord Himself Who commanded the Apostles to feed the Five Thousand when He said: “You give them something to eat.”[2]
And it was the Disciples who distributed the blessed five loaves and
two fishes to the assembled, after they were arranged in groupings by
the Lord.[3]
We are following His example, asking that you also arrange yourselves
to partake of the Holy Eucharist parish by parish, so that you also
“may eat and all be filled” as were the Five Thousand.[4]
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
The Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA[1] John 21:15-25 (the Eleventh Eothinon Gospel).
[2] Mark 6:37.
[3] Mark 6:39-41.
[4] Mark 6:42.
