Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and all Greece gave an interview on the greek channel ANT1 and spoke of the need to stay home and pray by “converting” at the same time our houses into a church.
He said that we have been going through a very difficult period and referred to the suspension of all church services as well as the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. He stressed that the fact that the faithful were not allowed to go to church was unprecedented. He thanked doctors, healthcare workers and researchers for their self-sacrifice and said that the Standing Holy Synod decided to give access to the Greek State to all social structures of the Church of Greece.
Moreover, he pointed out, “Nothing must stand between us at the moment. We must be united against the common enemy called coronavirus.” The Archbishop emphasised that the decision on the closure of churches was upsetting for everybody: “After all, we do not stay home out of fear, but out of love. It is a selfish thing to receive Holy Communion at the moment and to ignore the fact that the virus can be transmitted to our brothers and sisters. We have an obligation to listen, to comply, to be disciplined,” he said.
He also spoke of the Holy Fire and the possible gathering of believers outside the churches on the night of Holy Saturday, when the Resurrection is announced. In particular, he pointed out, “The most important thing is to receive Holy Communion. Everything else comes after the mystery of the Eucharist. We do need other traditions as well, but, even though they make our life beautiful, they do not come first. The Holy Fire, after all, can always be found in the Church. In the past, the Holy Fire was being received by the faithful at the altar. There is no Holy Fire for the privilege few. It is a part of our tradition that we hold dear.”
In addition, he was asked whether the personal opinions of some priests and Hierarchs disoriented and caused confusion to the faithful. He replied, “One can give answers in his own way. However, I think that it is not wise to behave this way in the Church.”