The document was approved by decision of the Holy Synod of March 17, 2020 (Minutes No. 30).
Out of pastoral care for people, and also in response to a request from the sanitary authorities, while preserving firm faith in the action of God’s good Providence and in Divine omnipotence, the rules listed below are adopted, drawn up with regard to the canonical and liturgical Tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Until the epidemiological situation improves and appropriate instructions are received from the diocesan administration on the full or partial termination of this instruction, the following must be observed in parishes, Patriarchal, episcopal and monastic metochia, and in stauropegial and diocesan monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Concerning Communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ
1. Bearing in mind that the offering of the Bloodless Sacrifice can in no case be canceled, for where there is no Eucharist there is no church life, and that the Holy Body and Blood of Christ are given for the health of both soul and body (see, for example, the prayers of St. John Chrysostom, the 7th and 9th in the Order of Preparation for Holy Communion), and taking into account the historical practice of the Orthodox Church during epidemics[1], — to give the Holy Mysteries of Christ wiping the spoon after each communicant with a cloth soaked in alcohol (regularly re-soaking it) and then dipping it in water, with subsequent disposal of the water according to the practice prescribed for washing the communion cloths.
2. To give the “zapivka” (drink after Communion) only individually — separately to each communicant — in disposable cups.
3. To use disposable hygienic gloves when distributing the antidoron.
4. When giving Communion to the laity, to use the cloths only to protect the Holy Mysteries from possibly falling to the floor and to wipe the spoon, and to use paper napkins, subsequently burned, to wipe the lips of each communicant individually. To boil and wash the cloths with due reverence after each liturgical use.
5. Communicants should refrain from kissing the Chalice.
Concerning the Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation
6. To adhere strictly to the practice of changing and blessing the water for each individual case. Accordingly, to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism only individually, with disinfection (wiping) of the font (baptistery) with a disinfectant liquid in between (a list of recommended liquids is attached).
7. For chrismation and anointing with oil, to use a cotton swab (instead of a brush) and a paper napkin (instead of a sponge), subsequently burned.
Concerning the Sacrament of Holy Unction
8. When celebrating “general unction,” that is, Holy Unction in churches, to use a separate disposable brush (for example, cotton swabs) for each parishioner, subsequently burned.
Other instructions concerning services, pastoral practice and parish life
9. Instead of giving the cross to be kissed at the end of the Divine Liturgy and other services, it is recommended to place the cross on the heads of the parishioners.
10. Returning to the Typikon practice that has changed in recent years, to perform anointing at the All-Night Vigil only when the Litiya and blessing of oil are celebrated. In those cases when anointing is performed, to use a separate disposable brush (for example, a cotton swab) for each parishioner, with subsequent disposal. In other cases, to kiss the Gospel or the festal icon (Cross) after the Polyeleos with the blessing given by the clergyman, wiping the Gospel and icon (Cross) after each kiss with a disinfectant solution.
11. Clergy are recommended to refrain from offering their hand to be kissed.
12. To use disposable hygienic gloves to distribute prosphoras and the blessed bread at the All-Night Vigil.
13. To pay increased attention to the cleanliness of liturgical utensils and vessels, wiping them after each liturgical use and carefully rinsing them with boiling water.
14. To suspend until further notice the work of Sunday schools as well as parish groups and clubs.
15. The social services of parishes, metochia and monasteries should, as far as possible, help elderly parishioners in the risk group by delivering food and essential goods to their homes.
General instructions
16. Rectors and abbots/abbesses are to instruct the staff of parishes, metochia and monasteries to observe strictly general hygiene measures, including hand disinfection during the day (at least once every 2 hours).
17. To ensure frequent ventilation of churches and common areas of parishes and monasteries, establishing a mandatory ventilation schedule.
18. To regularly treat with disinfectant solutions the surfaces of shared church furniture (including places for writing commemoration notes, candle stands, etc.) as well as door handles.
19. To regularly treat with disinfectant solutions the icons in the church that parishioners venerate.
20. Clergy, church servers and staff of parishes, metochia and monasteries must be responsible and attentive about their health. If unwell, they must immediately inform the rector (abbot, abbess) and seek medical help.
21. Rectors and abbots/abbesses are to organize mandatory temperature checks before the start of the working day (for example, with a non-contact thermometer) for clergy, church servers and church staff who interact with large numbers of parishioners.
22. To explain to parishioners that compliance with the instructions and restrictions being introduced should be seen as following the words of Holy Scripture: “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matt. 4:7). Also to explain to parishioners that if they develop symptoms of acute respiratory infection or other contagious diseases, they should, out of love and care for their neighbors, refrain from visiting churches.
[1] — In particular: giving Communion to those sick with contagious diseases after the other communicants (or even at a separately celebrated service), wiping the spoon after each communicant with a cloth that is subsequently burned; using a separate vessel and spoon for the sick; washing these in vinegar and pouring it into a dry well (see S.V. Bulgakov, Handbook for Clergy; the Pedalion with commentary by St. Nicodemus the Hagiorite — on Canon VI.28).
Appendix
The following products are recommended for sanitization:
- products based on tertiary amides (for example, Evoline-4D);
- 3% hydrogen peroxide;
- 70% isopropyl alcohol (for example, Septolit antiseptic);
- 75% ethyl alcohol;
- chlorine-containing products (for cleaning premises).
Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’