Communion Bread using GMO wheat or contaminated wheat flour

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xenondrum
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Communion Bread using GMO wheat or contaminated wheat flour

Post by xenondrum »

What are we to do when our supplies of wheat become contaminated through open air cross-pollination with genetically modified (GMO) wheat, which might have rat genes or whatever genetic manipulation that Monsanto or Dole has introduced, or if GMO wheat is the only wheat available? Even if monasteries were to grow wheat, it might have become cross-pollinated at some point.

The canons specify that we are to use wheaten flour, not the adulterated all purpose wheat flour, which contains barley, iron, folic acid, and other additives approved by the FDA, and which is commonly used by most people to make altar bread.

How can priests celebrate the Divine Liturgy if there is no GMO-free wheat flour available?

If one goes to a Greek/Armenian market, one can find white whole wheat kernels used in making koliva. This is apparently called white winter wheat, and it can be ground into flour to make the lighter colored altar bread, instead of the darker brown whole wheat bread commonly seen in markets. Is this white winter wheat certified as GMO-free or organic?

p.s. When we were in World Orthodoxy, the priests told us not to read labels and to go ahead and use the all-purpose wheat flour with the barley, folic acid, and other additives. However, Metropolitan Moses of GOC-HOTCA informed us that we should follow the canons and not use the all-purpose wheat flour for making altar bread.

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Barbara
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Re: Communion Bread using GMO wheat or contaminated wheat fl

Post by Barbara »

Interesting that you brought this up !
I don't know the answer, but take a keen interest in trying to find a way to avoid these wrong flours.
Scary to think of GMO wheat insidiously getting into the altar breads.
This IS important to resolve !

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Orthodox in Michigan
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Re: Communion Bread using GMO wheat or contaminated wheat flour

Post by Orthodox in Michigan »

xenondrum wrote:

What are we to do when our supplies of wheat become contaminated through open air cross-pollination with genetically modified (GMO) wheat, which might have rat genes or whatever genetic manipulation that Monsanto or Dole has introduced, or if GMO wheat is the only wheat available? Even if monasteries were to grow wheat, it might have become cross-pollinated at some point.

The canons specify that we are to use wheaten flour, not the adulterated all purpose wheat flour, which contains barley, iron, folic acid, and other additives approved by the FDA, and which is commonly used by most people to make altar bread.

How can priests celebrate the Divine Liturgy if there is no GMO-free wheat flour available?

If one goes to a Greek/Armenian market, one can find white whole wheat kernels used in making koliva. This is apparently called white winter wheat, and it can be ground into flour to make the lighter colored altar bread, instead of the darker brown whole wheat bread commonly seen in markets. Is this white winter wheat certified as GMO-free or organic?

p.s. When we were in World Orthodoxy, the priests told us not to read labels and to go ahead and use the all-purpose wheat flour with the barley, folic acid, and other additives. However, Metropolitan Moses of GOC-HOTCA informed us that we should follow the canons and not use the all-purpose wheat flour for making altar bread.

I noticed on roac web page they list a example if king arthur 100% unbleached hard white whole wheat flour.

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Maria
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Re: Communion Bread using GMO wheat or contaminated wheat flour

Post by Maria »

Orthodox in michigan wrote:
xenondrum wrote:

What are we to do when our supplies of wheat become contaminated through open air cross-pollination with genetically modified (GMO) wheat, which might have rat genes or whatever genetic manipulation that Monsanto or Dole has introduced, or if GMO wheat is the only wheat available? Even if monasteries were to grow wheat, it might have become cross-pollinated at some point.

The canons specify that we are to use wheaten flour, not the adulterated all purpose wheat flour, which contains barley, iron, folic acid, and other additives approved by the FDA, and which is commonly used by most people to make altar bread.

How can priests celebrate the Divine Liturgy if there is no GMO-free wheat flour available?

If one goes to a Greek/Armenian market, one can find white whole wheat kernels used in making koliva. This is apparently called white winter wheat, and it can be ground into flour to make the lighter colored altar bread, instead of the darker brown whole wheat bread commonly seen in markets. Is this white winter wheat certified as GMO-free or organic?

p.s. When we were in World Orthodoxy, the priests told us not to read labels and to go ahead and use the all-purpose wheat flour with the barley, folic acid, and other additives. However, Metropolitan Moses of GOC-HOTCA informed us that we should follow the canons and not use the all-purpose wheat flour for making altar bread.

I noticed on roac web page they list a example if king arthur 100% unbleached hard white whole wheat flour.

If I am not mistaken, King Arthur 100% unbleached hard white whole wheat flour is made of wheat kernels that are not organic. Thus, they are most likely sprayed with glyphosates (Round Up) to hasten the drying process as glyphosates serve as a desiccant. Glyphosates are a known carcinogen (cancer causing).

There are stores that sell organic wheat without glyphosates or other pesticides or herbicides being sprayed on the wheat.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

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Barbara
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Re: Communion Bread using GMO wheat or contaminated wheat flour

Post by Barbara »

Yes that King Arthur flour - though sounding appealing in theory - seems like the most ordinary of ordinary flours. I am sure Maria is right that it's not remotely from organic wheat. Please, don't anyone use that brand !

Maria do you have any idea which brands ARE organic and GMO-free so people can search for those instead ?

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