The Russian Orthodox Church intends to ban the kissing of the cross and the hand of the priest

The Russian Orthodox Church has prepared new rules for the prevention of coronavirus during divine services - now they are extended only to the Moscow diocese, the official website of the Moscow Patriarchate said.

After communion, a spoon for wine will be wiped with an alcohol-soaked napkin and dipped in water. “Browse” will be given in disposable dishes, and “wipe your mouth” will have paper napkins, which will then be burned.

The parishioners will be asked not to kiss the bowl for communion and the cross, and priests - to refrain from "teaching a hand for kissing."

The Russian Orthodox Church does not plan to close churches and prohibit worship services - the Church limited itself to the desire not to visit them to persons with signs of SARS.

Earlier in the media there was information about the influx of believers in the Kazan Cathedral, St. Petersburg, where a particle of the relics of John the Baptist was brought. Journalists reported that the traces of kisses were wiped by a volunteer who could not keep up with everyone.

Source: tonkosti