Coronavirus/COVID 19 Protection measures (UPDATED)
Greetings in the Lord!
Beloved in Christ,
Over recent days several of you have requested information about how our Church addresses concerns regarding Coronavirus.
Earlier today, His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah participated in a conference call of the Eparchial Synod convened to address this matter. Please find linked below the items agreed upon by the Synod.
What does this mean for us practically? We will follow a few precautionary measures, for the benefit and safety of our entire community, as follows:
- Services continue as usual.
- All social and non-critical parish activities are cancelled until further notice.
- Holy Communion, which is the true Body and true Blood of Christ, which is not regular matter, continues as usual.
- If you’re sick, please stay home until diagnosis is confirmed and you are no longer deemed contagious.
- Upon entering and exiting the church use the disinfecting stations provided in the Narthex and in the Hall.
- Kindly refrain, for the time being, from kissing icons, the cross or any other holy objects in the Church. Venerate only by making a prostration in front of them, without touching them or kissing.
- Handshakes, kissing, hugging, kissing priest hand etc. are discouraged until further notice.
- At the end of divine Liturgy the antidoron will be distributed by the priest with his sanitized hands, and you will take it with open hands without kissing his hand .
In all this, remember that these are just necessary precautionary measures and the ultimate protection comes from the providence of God. We encourage you to participate in the divine services where we pray to God to keep us from harm and to cure all who are sick.
May our loving and merciful God protect all people from this illness and speedily heal those infected.
In Christ,
Fr. Vasile Tudora