ROCOR Synod Responds to so-called "Food Sensitive Eucharist."
The statement was made during a regular meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia on May 9th, 2025.
London, UK—UOJ-America previously reported on the controversial introduction of “gluten-free bread” for use in the Divine Liturgy by Archbishop Elpidophoros (GOARCH). Faithful Orthodox Christians across the world were outraged by this innovation—not merely due to a change in recipe, but because of the implication that the Body of the God-Man could somehow bring harm to the faithful.
The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), hearing the outcry of the faithful and recognizing the confusion sown among the flock by divergent practices, reaffirmed the Patristic teaching on the matter with authority during their May 9, 2025, meeting.
Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, proclaimed the following:
"Having become aware of the ongoing discussions in some church circles regarding the administration of the Sacrament of Communion for those suffering from certain ailments, such as celiac disease and related gluten intolerance conditions, the Russian Synod of Bishops decided to reaffirm its age-old confession of accepting this Sacrament, which remains unchanged: namely, that in the Divine Liturgy we, as Christians who have been grafted into the Body of Christ through Baptism accept our Savior in His Most Pure Body and Life-giving Blood. Communion in the full offering of His Body and Blood together is not only not a source of sickness or danger, but on the contrary, it is the very source of Life, healing and sanctification. Thus, those who suffer from any condition related to any of the earthly gifts offered in the Liturgy, namely bread and wine, should not be afraid to approach the Chalice in order to receive from it both the Body and the Blood of their Savior, for what was offered in human weakness is transformed by the Divine by grace in that which gives Life to all. For any further practical advice based on personal circumstances or problems, a person should, as always, seek the guidance of his priest."
The statement offers reassurance to the faithful and clearly sets forth for the entire Church the singular truth of our faith. We ourselves have received several letters from readers about their own experiences. Among them, we found the following from reader E. Covey:
"When I was first exploring Orthodoxy, I was a really hesitant about receiving the 'bread and wine' because I have Celiac Disease. Celiac is not an allergy or an intolerance; it is an autoimmune illness and consuming gluten can cause severe damage to the body. My priest did not push it, but reassured me that it was no longer 'bread and wine,' but the Body and Blood of Christ and that it cannot make anyone sick. I was eventual baptized and took a huge leap of faith with my first communion. I experienced ZERO negative reaction to the sacramental offering. I react bad to EVERYTHING I put into my mouth... EXCEPT the Holy Mysteries. I have been Orthodox now for 20 years. There are 4 other parishioners at my parish who have also been diagnosed with Celiac Disease and none of us have EVER experienced any negative effect from partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ. And none of us can eat the blessed Prosphora or Antidoron - which have not been consecrated - without getting sick."
ROCOR’s pronouncement stands in stark contrast not only to the actions of GOARCH, but also to those of the Finnish Orthodox Church and even the Moscow Patriarchate. Just last month, the Patriarchate’s Synodal Commission on Bioethics published a recommendation that people with gluten-associated diseases should receive only the Blood of Christ.
Vladyka Irenei and the ROCOR Synod have proclaimed what should be obvious to us all: what is in the Chalice is the Body and Blood of God Himself. The matter is settled.
