WEBINAR: “THE CORONAVIRUS AND COMMUNION PRACTICE IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH"

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America 

Webinar: “The Coronavirus and Communion Practice in the Orthodox Church"

Organized by the Orthodox Theological Society in America, the webinar addressed the crucial question: “What has been the impact of the pandemic on our Communion practice?” The webinar reviewed the results of the recent survey of Orthodox clergy in the USA on Communion practice at this time and brought together a panel of scientists and theologians to ground the discussion. Program included:

1. Introduction into study report “Holy Communion during the Pandemic in American Orthodox Christian Parishes” by Alexei Krindatch, National Coordinator, Second Census of US Orthodox Parishes. The full report or executive summary can be downloaded here: https://orthodoxreality.org/coronavirus-and-american-orthodox-parishes/
2. Scientific Panel: Gayle Woloschak, PhD, Moderator
       • Catherine Creticos, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Clinical
          Assistant Professor of Medicine, U. of Illinois at Chicago
       • W. Christopher Mathews, MD, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Medicine, UCSD
       • Hermina Nedelescu, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Scripps Research Institute, San Diego
3. Theological Panel: Fr. John Jillions, PhD, Moderator
        • Deacon Nicholas Denysenko, PhD, Emil and Elfried Jochum Professor and Chair, Valparaiso University
        • Sr. Dr. Vassa Larin, nun of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and host of “Coffee with Sister Vassa”
        • Fr. Anthony Roeber, PhD, Professor of Church History, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
4. Concluding Remarks by Bishop Alexis (Trader) of Bethesda (OCA)
   The webinar also included numerous questions and comments from those who attended this event online.

The full video of the recent (August 22, 2020) webinar “The Coronavirus and Communion Practice in the Orthodox Church” is now available at: https://www.otsamerica.net/the-coronavirus-covid-19-and-communion-practice-in-the-orthodox-church/

Alexei Krindatch,  National Coordinator, Second Census of Orthodox Christian Churches and
2020 US Religion Census (www.usreligioncensus.org)
Office: 510-647-9427 Cell: 773-551-7226 www.orthodoxreality.org

The novel Coronavirus has changed the way we interact with one another in many areas of our everyday lives, including in our ecclesial setting. What has been the impact of the Pandemic on our ecclesial life, especially on our communion practice? On Saturday, August 22, OTSA hosted a symposium to discuss this issue. The webinar reviewed the results of a recently commissioned survey of Orthodox clergy in the US/Canada on communion practice during this time and brought together a panel of scientists and theologians to present the science of the virus to ground our discussion and engage with one another as members of the Body of Christ.