In Zhytomyr, UOC to consecrate Easter cakes as usual
The ruling bishop of the Zhytomyr Eparchy of the UOC said that at Easter neither the consecration of Easter cakes in churches nor the Eucharist would be cancelled.
On April 10, 2020, Metropolitan Nikodim (Gorenko) of Zhytomyr and Novograd-Volynsky said that in Zhytomyr at Easter the clergy of the UOC will consecrate Easter cakes in the usual manner – almost continuously from 11:00 on Holy Saturday.
"We will not stop the consecration but will distribute people. We will address to Sergey Ivanovich (Sukhomlin – Ed.) in the city council, we will ask him to disinfect the territory near the cathedrals and our temples the day before, on Saturday morning,” said Met. Nikodim on the "Zhytomyr.info" channel.
According to the UOC hierarch, to avoid large crowds of people, believers will have to come to the consecration one or two at a time.
The ruling hierarch of the Zhytomyr Eparchy decided to take such measures in order to avoid possible misunderstanding.
"There are different people, I have a fear of what will happen to those Easter cakes (it goes about the idea of consecrating Easter cakes at enterprises, and not in churches – Ed.), what fate they will have. Some Easter cakes are consecrated, others are not... In our society it will resonate," explained Metropolitan Nikodim.
He also emphasized that the clergy will celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist on Easter, but everyone who has the opportunity to receive communion in advance should do this on other days.
"There is a certain rule, invented not by me or even not by the last generation, but from the 4th century, from the time of John Chrysostom, who founded the communion from one cup and one spoon. Hundreds of years the Church has survived in all epidemics, people are healed. That is for a believer communion is a cure," he reminded.
Earlier Zhytomyr authorities decided that it is necessary to consecrate cakes right in the bakery.
Head of the National Police of Ukraine Igor Klimenko said that law enforcement agencies would not drive people out of the temple. He also reacted with understanding to the embarrassment of believers regarding the consecration of Easter cakes in bakeries, because it is impossible to sell the already consecrated ones.
