"Question : Many people use telephones, smartphones and tablets in church, to read along with interpretations of the Epistles, the Gospels, or to read prayers before communion. What is your view of this?"
Archbishop Mark of Berlin's reply :
"I came to the conclusion that we should not use such technology as a matter of principle. I used to read the mystical prayers on my smartphone, but another bishop once said to me, “You know, I keep thinking that you are sending and receiving text messages.” I put my phone in my pocket and decided I will no longer do that so as not to lead others into temptation.
" Unfortunately even priests use phones in the altar, they make phone calls. I always ask them to step out of the altar when I see this. Of course, in extreme circumstances one might need to look at one's phone.... Sometimes I don't have the slip of paper with the prayer on it, which I usually prepare in advance, or maybe I chose the wrong kondakion, so I take out my phone. But this is rare. Again from experience I see that this leads others into temptation. I also know that if you do this often, it becomes habitual, and it becomes hard to break the habit. Modern technology certainly broadens our possibilities, but we should not rely on it exclusively, to replace our own memory, our own thoughts."
http://www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/syn ... world.html
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These are sound points. I laughed about the inquiry about whether the MP-Rocor bishop of Berlin and Germany was sending text messages. It brings to mind the image of a teenager huddled over his or her phone with that intent expression we all have seen.
How about if our TOC Clergy and Hierarchs could write up some thoughts -- and better, guidelines -- such as banning all cell phones in the altar -- if that is practical. I don't know either way, naturally never having been in an altar, let alone a contemporary one to observe current communications practices.
Actually, I hate even the sight of a 'smartphone'. And the ring is immeasurably irritating when it goes off in any public place, let alone Church.
