Holy Communion in Greek Orthodoxy in the Time of Coronavirus

Ideological Perspectives in Conflict

Bibliographic Data

ID3170375
AuthorsEfstathios Kessareas (0000-0003-1765-4484, University of Erfurt, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume14
Issue5
Pages647
Publication date2023-05-12
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel14050647
OpenAlexW4376254148
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited12

This article examines the controversy over the mode of distribution of Holy Communion that surfaced during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on debates that took place in the Greek Orthodox community. After describing and evaluating the role of secular and religious experts in the context of the pandemic, the paper analyzes three main perspectives on the issue of the Eucharist: (1) the secularist-rationalist viewpoint; (2) the religious-traditionalist outlook; and (3) the "Third Way" perspective. The paper argues that the Church's Holy Communion controversy is indicative of a deeper struggle between religious and secular thinkers and among various voices in the Greek Orthodox Church concerning the latter's place in, and influence over, the modern secular socio-political order

Art · Eucharist · Ideology · Orthodoxy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Theology · History · Law · Philosophy · Religion and Society Interactions · Religion, Society, and Development · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

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