In an interview to WCC, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem talks about the new situation arising from the coronavirus pandemic for the Orthodoxy and the Patriarchate, and how the coronavirus influenced the religious services throughout Eastertide.
As pointed out, at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem “we maintain our prayer life as we should, but within the confines set by the authorities for the purpose of public health and safety.”
He adds that “our Church has restated its commitment to philanthropic mission easing the burdens of others where necessary, both materially and morally. In this way, as servants of Christ and as spiritual leaders, we should engage ourselves into any acts of assistance that we can looking after the elderly and the vulnerable, and asking God’s mercy upon His creation and delivering us from this pandemic.”
He also says that the Easter celebration in Jerusalem might have been experienced in an unprecedented situation, but its purpose remains the same. “God is not confined to local premises, for the human being is the church where the Holy Spirit dwells in him.”
The Patriarch points out that Christian churches in the Holy City of Jerusalem and the Holy Land continue to be a living witness which is expressed in and through prayers on the very site of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. “As shepherds of Christ’s flock, we continue our mission to keep the spirit alive and to spread the message of hope; for we are commanded: ‘do not quench the spirit’ (1 Th. 5:19).
And we are exhorted to encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, the needy and the sick in our society, and support each other through moments of uncertainty, fear and suffering. At the same time, as religious communities, we ask all people to abide by the guidelines set forth by the authorities in order to keep each other safe and healthy.”
Asked what the global fellowship can pray for, the Patriarch points out: “Let us thank our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for His abiding love and for never abandoning us. We must pray for the manifestation of God’s love in deeds and compassion to our fellow human brothers and sisters; for Saint John teaches us: ‘If a man says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?’ (1 John 4:20).”