Is ist true, that in Orthodoxy it is considered possible and legitim, that in cases of (extreme) necessity the materia of the mysteria (=sacraments) can be changed/substituted, i.e. that - being in a Gulag- water instead of the mixture of wine and water can be used as materia of the blood of Christ or - being in a desert - sand instead of water for baptism, if there is not the right materia at arm's length?
I don't think the Church has an official position it. In many Lives of the Saints, God provides what is lacking so that human beings would not be forced into presumption. I'd need to see specifics in texts about using water instead of wine.
Oral, not written.
The general question is: Does Orthodoxy aknowledge, that specific matters are instituted by the Lord himself, who must not be substituted under no circumstances, even if it's for the sake of the salvation of an individual.
For example, the mixture of water and wine can not be substituted by water alone (see Quinisextum / Trulllanum) without violating the Lord's will.
The question behind is: is it possible to speak of a 'divine law' for an Orthodox or is everthing under the episkope (and may be altered according to circumstances and kat'oikonomian aspects)?
