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Friday, April 03, 2020
To the Clergy and Faithful Orthodox Christians of the United States of America:
During this period of crisis, we, members of the Executive Committee
of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of
America, are meeting in conference call sessions every Friday to
continually monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we discuss both
pastoral and practical matters concerning the operational situation of
our churches. As such, allow us first to thank all the medical health
professionals, first responders, delivery personnel, and clergy who put
themselves on the front lines in a sacrificial manner for the protection
of our health and salvation.
We are facing unprecedented circumstances in extraordinary times.
Many guidelines from various jurisdictions, following State and Federal
regulations as well as CDC recommendations, have been successfully
implemented in parishes around the country, helping to slow the spread
of COVID-19. After consultation with public health and insurance
officials, law enforcement, theologians, and pastoral care
professionals, we, members of the Executive Committee, have reached a
consensus concerning Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Pascha (Easter) and
strongly encourage all Bishops of the Assembly to implement the
following recommendations:
- Services, celebrated by a maximum of five people consisting of a Priest, a Deacon, and/ or Server(s), continue in the churches and may be streamed online for the faithful to pray from their homes.
- None of the traditional material offerings are to be distributed to the faithful in any way, including palms and/or pussy willows, flowers, candles, and eggs, etc.
- Spiritual guidance may be heard over the phone, but the implementation of the Sacrament of Confession and Prayer of Absolution remains at the discretion of the local Bishop.
Whereas some Bishops might implement more stringent practices out of
love and concern for their flock and broader society, less stringent
approaches will put the Faithful and their Clergy at high risk and
should be avoided by all Bishops.
These measures mitigate the risk of transmission due to proximity. We
affirm that the Eucharist is truly the Body and truly the Blood of
Christ. These measures should in no way be seen to diminish this sacred
and eternal Truth.
The Church presently calls upon us, as the source of blessings, to
nurture us in the commandments of Christ and lead us to His Kingdom. As
the Church tells us when to fast, and when not to fast, we listen and do
our best to obey these instructions. In like manner, when we suffer
together in our isolation and are unable even to receive the Eucharist
because of mandated distancing, we are in reality, due to circumstance,
also in full communion as the Body of Christ. As we unite – as faithful
Christians, as a nation, and as a global community – to stop the spread
of COVID-19, may the blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be
with you all!
Conveying our paternal blessings with love in the Lord,
Archbishop Elpidophoros, Chairman
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Metropolitan Joseph, Vice-Chairman
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
Archbishop Michael, Treasurer
Orthodox Church in America
Orthodox Church in America
Metropolitan Gregory, Secretary
American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA
American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA
Bishop IrinejSerbian Orthodox Church in North, Central and South America
Metropolitan NicolaeRomanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas
Metropolitan JosephBulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia
Bishop SabaGeorgian Apostolic Orthodox Church in North America
Metropolitan TikhonOrthodox Church in America
