(EA) - As Orthodox Christians, we are united in the sacraments and our teachings, but as human beings we are also united in our solidarity and suffering. Therefore, during this period of intensive prayer and spiritual discipline of Great Lent, the pandemic that our communities are facing throughout our nation and throughout the world obliges us to slow down and reflect on the way that we glorify God as well as the way that we express compassion toward our brothers and sisters.
As disciples of the Lord, Scripture and our faith inform us that while we are not of the world, we are indeed in the world (1 John 2). This means that we participate fully and simultaneously in both the heavenly and earthly life. As a result, we are at the same time sustained by God’s grace and yet still susceptible to worldly affliction. Thus, without wavering in our faith – which we believe casts out fear through love – we must nevertheless take every precaution to protect ourselves and our neighbors from untimely suffering and death. This is a vital dimension of our command to love and care for one another.
Therefore, responding to the rapid spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), and as your Bishops and Spiritual Fathers, we must be very clear and emphatic about one thing: it is not a sin to refrain from church services or sacraments during this time of pandemic. There is no doubt that the Church is the Body of Christ. However, it is the same community both within the walls of the sanctuary and beyond. We have always preached and believed this; now is the proper time that we are also called to practice it.
Furthermore, we implore you to proceed together with us as one community in solidarity – Bishops, clergy, laity, neighbors, and civil servants – during this time of crisis. We must all obey the instructions of the medical professionals and State authorities and follow all the prescribed preventive measures in order to protect ourselves and others.
We urge you to work together for the spiritual and physical healing of all, both for the salvation of the world and the restoration of the world. This will be our unique spiritual struggle during the days that lie ahead, as we journey through difficulty and darkness toward the Life and Light of the Risen Christ.
May God bless, comfort, and strengthen you all.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Assembly of Bishops speaks as one on coronavirus
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”For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?“
ReplyDeleteIf we’re sick we stay home from Church for the sake of others and our own recovery, that’s common sense; and the priest can visit up with communion and pray with us at our home. But to close Church out of fear of getting sick?
What happens when there’s a real pandemic, something with a serious mortality rate and devastating symptoms. People will die, as has always been the case. But now we know that they will die without having been able to go to Church while they were still healthy.
Will the priests dare to visit them? They won’t risk serving the Body and Blood of Christ to their flock when they might catch the flu, why would they risk it for something serious?
Times are changing, not for the better.