REOPENING ST. ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL
The reopening of our beloved church will be slow and gradual. The health and safety of our parishioners is
our guide. Risking the lives of others in order to worship God is not “spiritual”. The steps we are listing
today will be modified gradually as conditions permit.
Attendance by the laity
- Only ten parishioners will be able to attend any given service. If you wish to attend, please call
Maria Bardysheva (267-266-8695).
She will write your name down for the service you have requested. Should
there already be ten people registered for that service, she will suggest an alternative service.
- Once you have registered, please let Maria Bardysheva know if you are unable to attend as planned, so
that room can be made available to others.
- Please think of the welfare of your fellow-parishioners. If you have a fever, if you are coughing, if
you are feeling unwell, PLEASE STAY HOME. Facemasks must be worn at all times. All attendees must stand
at least six feet or two meters apart.
- When you greet each other, please do not hug or embrace, do not shake hands, remain six feet apart.
- For the time being, we do not kiss the Holy Icons and Crosses, or the Holy Relics. We bow and stand
before them in reverence and prayer. At the end of the Divine Liturgy we do not come forward to kiss the
Cross.
Anyone who is unable to follow these rules will be politely asked to leave the church building.
Receiving Holy Communion
- The rules for fasting and prayer in preparation for receiving the Holy Mysteries remain the same.
- After the reading of the Hours, right before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, the priest will read
the Rite of General Confession. Private Confession will not be possible at this time.
- As you come forward, you will see a tray with red paper dinner napkins. Take one and remove your
facemask. Hold the dinner napkin under your chin in order to prevent a drop or particle of the Holy
Gifts from falling to the floor. The Holy Gifts will be given to you in a wooden spoon. The priest will
then place the spoon in a paper bag being held by the deacon or altar server. Wipe your lips carefully
with the red dinner napkin and place it reverently into the same bag. Do not kiss the chalice. Proceed
to the table on which the “zapivka” is set out and you will see it served in individual paper cups and
paper containers for the Antidoron. Consume both and respectfully leave both the cup and small container
in the designated spot. Put your facemask back on and regain your place in the church, giving thanks to
God.
The Choir
Singing unfortunately spreads the human breath far wider than ordinary speech or breathing. For this reason, only four choir members can sing at any one service. Who sings for what service is at the discretion of the Choir Director. The singers must respect the six-foot distancing at all times. In order to prevent their “breath” from falling onto the congregation from the choir balcony, all singers must stand at the back of the balcony.
The Refectory
In the early stages of reopening, the Refectory will remain closed. No food or drink will be offered.
