A circular note has been issued by the Metropolitan of Peristeri entitled “From wrappers to essence. From ‘appearances’ to ‘being'”, due to the abstinence from rites and the ecclesiastical duties of the clergy following the Government decision.
He urges believers to abide by the measures and stay at home, stressing that this comes with pain of the spirit because “we cannot come to churches and administer the Sacrament.”
“But it cannot be otherwise, these days, when the whole planet is being tested by the invisible enemy, by the terrible pestilence of the coronavirus. All of us must take the utmost responsibility to prevent its spread, to safeguard our brothers and sisters and to safeguard ourselves too,” he notes.
He states that we must have patience and faith in order to follow this path, and remember that “after Golgotha, the Resurrection follows.”
“So, let’s leave aside the phenomena of exaggeration during these difficult days; let’s put aside ‘appearances’ that have so dangerously lurked inside us, just for our display.
In previous years, during this period, as we were heading for Easter, we made plans. But now we understand that we had to be deprived of all these wrappers in order to live the essence. To find ourselves within silence and prayer, in our home prayer book.”
He also reminds believers to pray from their home every day between 10.00-10.15 for the health of doctors and nursing staff.