Senior clergyman Fr. Untzag Nalbandian shares some thoughts about finding “communion” in Christ–even when the Holy Chalice is empty.
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To Touch or Kiss the Chalice…
In Armenia a few months ago, during badarak at a local church, an unexpected number of faithful came forward to receive Holy Communion. So many approached the altar that the priest quickly ran out of the consecrated host. This created a challenging situation for the priest, because many had traveled long distances to attend badarak and receive the sacrament.
But in the pressure of the moment, he displayed remarkable creativity and compassion. When he realized there was not enough Holy Communion left to serve everyone, the priest invited those who had not yet received to touch or kiss the Holy Chalice instead. This provided comfort to those who had come in deep faith, even though they could not receive the host directly.
This true event took place a few months ago in Armenia. The priest himself, who administered the Holy Communion, told me about it.
It made me realize that in my 46 years of priesthood, I have never faced a situation where, even on major feast days, there was not enough Holy Communion for all the faithful who wished to receive it. I’m sure many readers might think, “Well that’s in Armenia, with its three million people.” Here in America, most Armenian Church parishes have fewer than 300 or 400 families. True! But even in such small church communities, if our faithful attended badarak regularly, I am sure that one Sunday, we too could find ourselves in that very situation.
In Armenia, even though our people lived under the Soviet atheistic political regime for 70 years, no one was able to take away our people’s Christian faith and customs. Our churches are full in Armenia, and I have witnessed firsthand how, before entering the church, people kiss or touch the door of the church, women cover their heads with veils. and the faithful stand for the entire liturgy–since most of our churches there have no pews. It is part of our tradition to stand or kneel before God when in His House of Worship, expressing our reverence and devotion in that sacred space.
While the decision of when to receive Holy Communion is personal, our church offers this grace every Sunday to those who are properly prepared. And this preparation goes beyond simply participating in the group confession during the service. It begins days before, through self-reflection on our weaknesses and sins, fasting, reading Scripture, and praying–always with the intention to avoid repeating our sins.
Yes, on that particular Sunday in Armenia, some of the faithful found spiritual strength and received forgiveness not by partaking directly of the Eucharist, but simply by touching or kissing the Chalice. Here in America, we have the opportunity to receive Holy Communion every Sunday; and I pray that, at least once, I can stand before my parishioners and say, “I am sorry, we have run out of Holy Communion host today. However, you may touch or kiss the Chalice.”
By Fr. Untzag Nalbandian
Holy Ascension Church, Trumbull, CT