Metropolitan Athinagoras of Belgium sent a letter to the priests and deacons of the Metropolis regarding the Holy Week and the unprecedented conditions prevailing due to the coronavirus spread.
The Metropolitan states: “We are undoubtedly going through particularly difficult times due to the outbreak and spread of Covid-19 and we pray to the Lord that He will have mercy on us.”
He refers to the latest announcement issued by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, calling for the suspension of all church services and events until further notice.
He clarifies to the priests of the Metropolis that if there is no improvement in the situation, “I know that we will live the Holy Week and the Feast of the Resurrection of Christ with much difficulty. Without church services, without liturgies, without Holt Communion.”
However, he stresses that priests should encourage believers to pray by reading the liturgical texts at their homes, praying in front of the holy icons, just as Metropolitan John of Pergamos said recently in an interview.
He recommends that the priests of the Metropolis offer the faithful the liturgical text they can read on the Metropolis’ websites, and stay in touch via the Internet or telephone.
“It is important to be able to encourage them in these exceptional circumstances where fear enters their lives. After all, we know that Christ is the conqueror of all evil! We hope that with God’s help we can overcome this evil as soon as possible and continue living in full communion with our philanthropic God!” says the Metropolitan.