Valid communion for celiacs?

[tashiseisei]

Hi everyone,

I've been drawn to Eastern Orthodoxy for about a year, now, but I have a problem which has been in the way of my further investigation:

I have celiac disease and cannot eat anything that contains wheat gluten. Even trace amounts of it will make me very sick. I've read that some churches are willing to set aside some of the wine beforehand so that no bread is mixed with it, and that the EO stance is that the Holy Spirit combined with a desire to receive Christ will make up for the lack of bread for a person with severe celiac, with the bishop's permission. But I've also read that some people find it completely unacceptable to not have the bread, or don't want to do something special for one person. Have any of you had any experience with this? How hard is it to get the bishop's permission for something?

They do make bread for people with celiac that does not contain wheat, and some Catholic nuns have made communion wafers with a minute amount of wheat in it which satisfies that church's requirements for authentic communion, but is low enough in it to be safe for most celiacs (it's measured in micrograms, and parts per million) but if the EO church does not use wafers, and requires wheat in the bread, I can't really do anything to meet them in the middle about that, and could only take completely separated wine.

If I found a church in my area and decided to convert, do you think this would be a very big problem for me, or have you found that they're willing to work with people with special needs?

I'm obsessing about it because I've read things online that were very firm about saying that it is impossible to allow for my needs, and it would really hurt me to get involved and then find out that I can't convert, or something like that, or be shut out, or denied, because of something I was born with, that I can't do anything about.

It's not a rare disease; 1 in 133 Americans have it, but few people have heard of it, or understand it, and so it's been very hard for me to make people (even medical professionals!) understand how serious a single crumb can be. I just don't believe this is what Christ had in mind when he said, "Do this in remembrance of me."

Untreated celiac disease can be life threatening. Celiacs are more likely to be afflicted with problems relating to malabsorption, including osteoporosis, tooth enamel defects, central and peripheral nervous system disease, pancreatic disease, internal hemorrhaging, organ disorders (gall bladder, liver, and spleen), and gynecological disorders. Untreated celiac disease has also been linked an increased risk of certain types of cancer, especially intestinal lymphoma.

In a more immediate sense, a crumb will make me feel tired and lethargic, like I'm trying to fight off a cold, my sinuses fill up, and I have unmentionable problems with my digestive system. It can also make my skin break out. But it's not an allergy; all of that happens because the body views wheat gluten as a pathogen and tries to attack it, and ends up attacking itself in very bad ways.

 

[Silentchapel]

Hey Tash!
There is nothing wrong with having 'Blood Only' Communion for justified reasons - I believe that it is given that way to the infants who are still unable to swallow solid food.
And - maybe the other posters can discuss this in a bit more detail - have you considered a leap of faith? Remember, thousands and thousands of Eastern Orthodox approach the Holy Chalice and yet you won't see our parishes ridden with disease (we take Communion out of the same spoon). There is also the story about St. John of Shangai who took a piece of Communion vomited by a woman who had rabbies - he suffered no ill effects.
However, seeing how you may probably not be willing to experiment with it, ask those who say that it is impossible to administer the Eucharist separately - is it better for you to recieve the Holy Blood (at least) or to go through your entire life without Communion?

 

[repentant]

Tash,

I have mentioned on here before that I have a friend that has a severe case of celiac. Even a crumb of bread causes him to have stomach pains, etc. as I'm sure you know. Communion does nothing to him at all. The only thing he can't and does not eat is the antidoron, the bread given to all after Church..

Now do not take this as medical advice, but I am just relating about a friend I have. I truly believe it would not harm you. Like I said, I have seen him accidently eat a few crumbs, and be sick to his stomach, and I have seen him take Communion with ten times the amount of bread and be perfectly fine...God works in mysterious ways..

 

[Orthosdoxa]

Hey,

I think it's something you'll work out with your priest. We have a celiac in our parish and our priest keeps a tiny goblet of just the Blood aside, just for her.

 

[repentant]

I will still insist that it will do nothing, not only from experience, but from what it is..the Body and Blood can not harm you physically, only spiritually if you receive it unworthily.

 

[kamikat]

I am gluten intolerant (not full-blown celiac) and I used to get sick when having communion at other churches. I do not get sick when receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in the Orthodox Church. To me, this is part of the validation I have received from the Lord that this is where I'm supposed to be. However, don't take my word for it. Be sure to speak with the local priest. My priest and I discussed it prior to the first time I received communion. He was willing to set some aside for me. I chose to receive the full Body and Blood as an act of faith.

 

[choirfiend]

A friend of mine is celiac. Her mother died from being undiagnosed; she eventually developed cancer. She is VERY cautious about what she eats. She became Orthodox this past lent. She receives communion. It is the Body and Blood--try to not entirely fear! It is something to be worked out with your priest, but what I think most regularly would happen is that you'd receive communion from the mixed chalice, but the priest wouldn't give you a portion of the Body, but tiny tiny tiny particles would be present in the spoon of Blood. Again, it's something to be worked out in the future. Do not be afraid! It is Christ, the Bread of the Kingdom, and Christ would NEVER hurt you.

 

[Dewi Sant]

I pray that there may be a solution to this problem apparent.

In Peace.
Chris

 

[Xpycoctomos]

I knew a woman who has celiacs before she was Orthdoox (she was a catechumen) and I saw her just the other week (she is now Orthodox) and despite her disease, she said that communion has no effect on her.

However, it's easy for us (non-celiacs) to tell you to trust and have no fear... it's really easy. But, we are not in your situation. Remember this though, God wants what's best for you. If he leads you to the Orthodox Church and you begin to talk serioulsly to a priest, talk this over with him. God will not lead you to a path of destruction.

God bless,

John

 

[prodromos]

I also know a sufferer of Celiac Sprue disease who receives both the Body and Blood of our Lord at Holy Communion. She suffers no ill effects.

I recommend you familiarise yourself with the prayers of preparation for Holy Communion. They will help to cause to take root in your soul a proper fear and awe of Christ's precious body and blood.

"With fear of God, with faith and love, draw near"

 

[Padraig]

I will second those who've experienced that celiacs can commune with no difficulty. It is Christ himself that we receive. Never fear. I know a family of celiacs (a father and several children that received this unfortunate malady from him) and they all commune. He even consumes the Gifts as he is a priest! The Body and Blood are for the healing of soul and body. It is also worthy of note, that no disease whatsoever has been communicated to the faithful through communing. It is Christ we receive! Be of good cheer.

Dn Kevin