In today’s epistle, Paul begins concluding his letter
to the Church of Rome by listing the names of various persons to whom he sends
special greetings. The scope of these individuals covers a vast spectrum of
race, gender, social standing, ethnicity, etc., and provides a rare snapshot
into the unique nature and origin of the Early Church.
Paul then ends this section by saying, “Greet one
another with a holy kiss” (Rom. 16:16) – a practice that we still continue to
this day, although it has been vastly affected and curtailed by the COVID-19
virus.
During Divine Liturgy, just before the Creed, the deacon
(or priest) comes out and says, “Let us love one another, that with one mind we
may confess!” Thus, it was at this moment that congregants would turn, embrace,
and kiss one another upon the cheek as a sign of true love and
brotherly/sisterly affection – or – as St. Augustine wrote, “The Early
Christians demonstrated their inward peace by their outward kiss.”
Although many parishes have allowed that uniting
moment to go by the wayside, it still exists as we greet one another with a
kiss upon the Feasts of the Church and during Paschaltide. Our greeters also
welcome those who enter with a kiss or a handshake also.
Fr.
John
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