Epidemiology Professor: No Scientific Study That Proves COVID-19 is Transmitted Through Holy Communion

 

 

Speaking on ERT TV last week, Athena Linou, Professor of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and President of the Institute of Prevention, was asked whether it was possible that COVID-19 was transmitted through Holy Communion.

The professor stressed that there was no epidemiological study that proves such a thing.

Specifically referring to the issue of Holy Communion in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Athena Linou noted: “I have to admit that there is no epidemiological study that proves that the disease is transmitted through ingestion of saliva, including the virus itself. There is no study.”

Survey Says Most Greeks Believe the Coronavirus Can Be Transmitted Through Holy Communion, a Professor of Microbiology Says Overcrowding is the Greatest Risk

 

A survey conducted in Greece by the polling company Metron Analysis on behalf of the Greek TV channel MEGA from September 23-29 has yielded interesting results.

 

In particular, according to the survey, 70%, or 7 out of 10 Greeks are of the opinion that the coronavirus can be transmitted through Holy Communion, while only 22% believe that it cannot.

 

Also, 81% of Greek citizens say that the mask protects against the spread of coronavirus, but 17% do not believe they do. 

 

Meanwhile, 59%, or 6 out of 10 say that if there is a vaccine they would take it, but 35%, or 1 out of 3 say that they would not.

 

Unsanitary Miracles

Every time there is mention of saliva, spoons and the like - by those who have targeted Holy Communion - the miracle comes to mind of the man born blind (John 9). The Lord, with a “sanitarily unacceptable” action, restored the eyes of the blind man! He mixed His saliva (a means of spreading viruses and bacteria) with soil (a source of millions of germs) and “smeared” the clay mixture over the eye sockets of the blind man (mucosal conjunctiva: a point of entry for germs and the onset of infection). We are familiar with what ensued, just as we know that no science is able to reproduce that result. Quite simply, if it had taken place today, apart from the Pharisees of that time, among Jesus’ accusers would also be certain narrow-minded infectious disease specialists.

- Monk Paul of the Holy Mountain

Biologist, MD Molecular Biology and Biomedicine

Vouleftiria, Holy Mountain

Scientific Studies on the Transmission of Infectious Diseases Through Holy Communion

Often when discussing the issue of the possibility of the transmission of infectious diseases through Holy Communion, anecdotal evidence at best is presented, though usually it is more about speculations and personal beliefs. However, since the late 19th century there have been numerous scientific studies that actually give us hard scientific evidence. Most of these studies have been done in Anglican, Methodist and Lutheran churches with their debate of many decades regarding the use of the common communion cup. Using the common cup is similar to using a common spoon by Orthodox Christians. However, with the Orthodox practice, it can be added that after each communicant receives communion the priest dips the spoon in warmed wine before communicating the Holy Gifts again, which can serve as a disinfectant; this important factor is not determined in the conclusions of the studies below. Also, for those Orthodox Christians who argue for the miraculous properties of the Holy Gifts, the studies below should eliminate this factor and examines it by its physical properties alone. It is only on this basis that conclusions can be drawn. As far as I know, no such study has been done with the Orthodox practice, which should be considered.