COMMUNION IN THE GREEK CHURCH.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:1 SIR,—Are you not mistaken in saying that "the Greek Church, like the Roman Catholic Church, grants to the laity Communion only in one kind ?" Dr. Harold Browne, in his book on the Articles, says :—" The fear of spilling the consecrated wine led to the administering of the two elements together, by dipping the consecrated bread into the cup : which custom still prevails in the Eastern Churches."
Moreover, even in the Roman Church, the Kings of France communicated in both kinds till the Revolution. And at coronation, the cup seems to have been usually given to a King. Mr. Walcott, in his "Sacred Archseology," says :—"The Emperor of Constantinople, at his coronation, partook of the chalice ; and Clement VI. allowed the King of Gaul to partake at pleasure, although other Princes were permitted the privilege only at their coronation and at the hour of death."—I am, Sir, Ssc., Chelmsford, June 4th. R. E. Basfrim-r.
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