Orthodox and Episcopalians Receive Communion Together at Divine Liturgy
Diocesan Press Service. August 25, 1975 [75289]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- For the first time so far as is known, Holy Communion was offered simultaneously to Orthodox and Episcopal Christians at an Orthodox Divine Liturgy on July 6, at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin, New York City.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Simeon of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church; he was assisted by Orthodox priests, deacons and lay representatives. Bishop Simeon is vicar to Metropolitan Joseph, Archbishop of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in North and South America. The Orthodox were assembled in New York from parishes in the U.S. and Canada for their annual Synod.
The Divine Liturgy replaced the regular 11 o'clock High Mass at St. Mary's. In his message of welcome, the Rev. Donald L. Garfield, rector of St. Mary's, invited all Episcopalians present to participate in the Orthodox celebration "so far as can be." At the time of Communion, the Orthodox received at the hands of their clergy, and Episcopalians were communicated by Fr. Garfield and his assistant clergy from the Sacrament consecrated in both kinds at an earlier service and reserved especially for this purpose with the approval of the Rt. Rev. Paul Moore, Jr., Bishop of New York.
The choir of the Holy Annunciation, Steelton, Pa., sang the Liturgy. At the close of the service Bishop Simeon spoke of the saints and asked Orthodox and Episcopalians to "accept their benediction upon us all." The antidoron (extra bread blessed during the Liturgy) was shared by Episcopalians and Orthodox after the service.