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Tuesday, March 17, 2020
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.