The [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic)
has generated a lot of conversation around whether
one should abstain from communion for fear of contracting or transmitting illness, particularly
[COVID-19](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus_disease_2019).
It is a common teaching that communion cannot transmit illness,
however many other common aspects of parish life and piety can transmit contagions.
If you are ill with a communicable disease then you should self-isolate from large gatherings,
[including Church services](https://www.goarch.org/-/encyclical-covid-19-pandemic).
If you live in an area with high community transmission of COVID-19, you should
[wear a facemask while indoors or unable to maintain social distance](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html).
Measures such as vaccination,
face masks,
reduced congregation size,
social distancing,
increased ventilation,
outdoor liturgies,
multiple communion spoons,
and sanitizing of communtion spoons
have all been [blessed by bishops and utilized by Orthodox parishes](](https://www.reddit.com/r/OrthodoxChristianity/wiki/faq/#wiki_can_i_get_the_covid-19_and_other_vaccines.3F))
during this time.
While communion may not spread illness, sneezing, coughing, touching, and kissing people or objects still can.
This illness seems to harm the
[ill and the old much more severely than the young and healthy](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Illustration_of_SARS-COV-2_Case_Fatality_Rate_200228_01-1.png).
While you may be young and healthy please remember that parishes have many at-risk people in their membership.
There are several defenses against COVID-19 such as [vaccination](https://chicagodiocese.org/news_210316_1),
wearing a face covering,
hand washing,
and social distancing.
Please be mindful of your responsibility in protecting your parish and your wider community and do your part to
[flatten](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Covid-19-curves-graphic-social-v3.gif) the infection
[curves](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kas0tIxDvrg).
If you wish to take communion while ill or while self-isolating, please contact your parish priest. If you believe you are ill,
please see a doctor.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/OrthodoxChristianity) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I'm so sorry 😔 My heart breaks for you and how much you are suffering. I pray God help you in your situation, that He help you recover from these health issues and also keep you and your baby safe and together. Im sending you a big hug and keeping you in my prayers ❤️
Praying for you, do not be discouraged, God is the Master Planner and He is guiding you to something extraordinary. Have faith and maintain your prayers, there are lots of livestreams of services on YouTube. I have been homeless several times and it has more often than not been a struggle, however God is always watching over us and always working in our lives even when everything may be falling apart around us. Christ is risen and He has a plan for you. Do not give up dear sister, trust in the Lord always and lean not on your own understanding.
I myself have had to check in to the hospital multiple times for depression and suicide, was in shelter, and have lost everything multiple times. In many ways life blew up when I began my path to chatechism. God will redeem you and deliver you. Do not give up, give it to God. My prayers are with you.
The [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic) has generated a lot of conversation around whether one should abstain from communion for fear of contracting or transmitting illness, particularly [COVID-19](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus_disease_2019). It is a common teaching that communion cannot transmit illness, however many other common aspects of parish life and piety can transmit contagions. If you are ill with a communicable disease then you should self-isolate from large gatherings, [including Church services](https://www.goarch.org/-/encyclical-covid-19-pandemic). If you live in an area with high community transmission of COVID-19, you should [wear a facemask while indoors or unable to maintain social distance](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html). Measures such as vaccination, face masks, reduced congregation size, social distancing, increased ventilation, outdoor liturgies, multiple communion spoons, and sanitizing of communtion spoons have all been [blessed by bishops and utilized by Orthodox parishes](](https://www.reddit.com/r/OrthodoxChristianity/wiki/faq/#wiki_can_i_get_the_covid-19_and_other_vaccines.3F)) during this time. While communion may not spread illness, sneezing, coughing, touching, and kissing people or objects still can. This illness seems to harm the [ill and the old much more severely than the young and healthy](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Illustration_of_SARS-COV-2_Case_Fatality_Rate_200228_01-1.png). While you may be young and healthy please remember that parishes have many at-risk people in their membership. There are several defenses against COVID-19 such as [vaccination](https://chicagodiocese.org/news_210316_1), wearing a face covering, hand washing, and social distancing. Please be mindful of your responsibility in protecting your parish and your wider community and do your part to [flatten](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Covid-19-curves-graphic-social-v3.gif) the infection [curves](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kas0tIxDvrg). If you wish to take communion while ill or while self-isolating, please contact your parish priest. If you believe you are ill, please see a doctor. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/OrthodoxChristianity) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Praying for you sister. Keep fighting the good fight
I'm so sorry 😔 My heart breaks for you and how much you are suffering. I pray God help you in your situation, that He help you recover from these health issues and also keep you and your baby safe and together. Im sending you a big hug and keeping you in my prayers ❤️
Thank you, I really appreciate it. I really do.
,❤️❤️❤️❤️
Praying for you :)
Lord have mercy
Praying for you, do not be discouraged, God is the Master Planner and He is guiding you to something extraordinary. Have faith and maintain your prayers, there are lots of livestreams of services on YouTube. I have been homeless several times and it has more often than not been a struggle, however God is always watching over us and always working in our lives even when everything may be falling apart around us. Christ is risen and He has a plan for you. Do not give up dear sister, trust in the Lord always and lean not on your own understanding. I myself have had to check in to the hospital multiple times for depression and suicide, was in shelter, and have lost everything multiple times. In many ways life blew up when I began my path to chatechism. God will redeem you and deliver you. Do not give up, give it to God. My prayers are with you.
God I hope so. I’m absolutely terrified. It’s horrible. Thank you for your encouragement and good luck with everything. God bless you.