Despite the fact that the new measures against the spread of the pandemic entered into force, including use of protective masks in all indoor public spaces, many believers came to the Church of the Holy Cross Strovolos today, Saturday, on the 1st of August. It is recalled that today the fifteen-day fasting begins in honour of the Theotokos.
The Archbishop of Cyprus spoke of the new measures announced by the Cypriot government yesterday: “Any statement is unnecessary as you were all in the church today and saw that the congregation was very consistent and was wearing masks. You are also wearing masks. We are the only ones who are not wearing masks at the moment because we are working! ,” he said.
“But there is another reason why we should not wear masks; We never became ‘masqueraders’, not even when we were young; Do you think that we would become ‘masqueraders’ now that we are old? The church staff of Cyprus, especially the staff of the Holy Archdiocese, has always been consistent. We are strict and we said from the very beginning that no one in the church should transmit the virus. It would be a shame for us if someone in the Church transmitted the coronavirus. We have been sending many messages to our church staff and we remind them to be cautious,” he added.
“We also remind them neither to approach each other nor to spread the coronavirus. This disease must be eradicated from our island. If we remain cautious, the coronavirus will not be spread in Cyprus. Let us be a little cautious. It does not take much effort; We just have not to get too close to each other. If we do that, then no one has anything to fear. If we wear a mask when there are a lot of people around, as it was announced by the Government, then everything will be fine,” the Archbishop concluded.
Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus presided over the Divine Liturgy and then ordained the new subdeacon to the office of deacon. The Archbishop assured Fr. Konstantinos that he would always be willing to listen to his concerns and to support him. He also expressed confidence in the course that the new deacon would follow, considering that he is well-educated and that he has distinguished himself in his ethos and humility, but mainly in his love for the Church and Christ.
