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Question 309

I can never nistepsi and take the Holy communion because I'm allergic to alcohol. Is there a way round that??   

 

Answer to Question 309

 

You asked me this back on 24/7/17. I can only answer what I told you then. "The question is how allergic are your to alcohol? The amount given in Holy Communion is minimal depending on which Commandaria the priest uses. Some bottled varieties have added alcohol which helps to preserve the wine. In Cyprus many of us use Commandaria bought from wineries straight from the barrel which is pure without the added alcohol. You should speak with your priest about his and maybe he can give you the Body of Christ before he adds it to the Blood and then just touch your lips with the spoon that was dipped into the Blood. An another way is for him to give you Communion from the dried reserve Communion which we have for giving Communion to those in hospital or those that cannot attend Church. When it was fresh the Body was dipped into the Blood, but in its dried form any alcohol should have evaporated. We normally add wine to this to soften it before giving it to someone, but instead of wine he can soften it with water. If you can’t find a priest who would do this for you, look me up next time you’re in Cyprus and I would be more than happy to give you Communion in one way or the other. I think it's time to get on that plane