coronavirus

The state of emergency is a special state of prevention of the spread of the epidemic, not a state of panic and discouragement

The Romanian Orthodox Church is gradually and responsibly adapting, depending on the evolution of the situation caused by the epidemic, as all the important institutions in the country do, respecting and promoting in the public space the recommendations of the state authorities. The Church is not only an institution of public utility, but also a…

Mar 17, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

Patriarch Daniel: Transform the period of medical crisis in a time to strengthen our faith and increase our love!

On the Second Sunday of Great Lent, the Church opens before us the well-known page of the Holy Gospel about the cure of a paralytic man. This gospel passage shows us the healing power of our Saviour Jesus Christ and highlights the importance of caring for one’s health. Referring to the four friends who made…

Mar 16, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Guidelines for parishes and monasteries to comply with preventive measures against the new coronavirus (Covid-19)

The Chancellery of the Holy Synod issued a document with protective measures against the new coronavirus (Covid-19) for all parishes and monasteries within the Romanian Patriarchate: This isolation and quarantine do not have to be considered as estrangement, but an opportunity to enhance communion and a humble love of God and a merciful love of…

Mar 16, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Special prayer for deliverance from new coronavirus epidemic

On Wednesday, 11 March 2020, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania transmitted the following prayer to all the dioceses within the Romanian Patriarchate, for the deliverance from the new coronavirus epidemic. Special prayer for the deliverance from the new epidemic: Before the dismissal (Divine Liturgy, Vespers, Compline), the priest says: Let us pray to the…

Mar 12, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Coronavirus: Ecumenical Patriarchate urges prudence, patience, and the avoidance of panic

The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Wednesday urged prudence, patience and the avoidance of panic as the new coronavirus continues to spread and the number of confirmed cases rises throughout the world. In a communique signed by the Secretariat of the Holy Synod, the Patriarchate of Constantinople thanked all healthcare professionals and scientists…

Mar 12, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Bethlehem churches to close after suspected coronavirus cases: official

Several churches in Bethlehem including the Church of the Nativity have been temporarily closed for 14 days according to an order from the Palestinian Ministry of Health after some suspected cases at a Bethlehem hotel, RFI reports. Imad Shahadeh, head of the local health directorate, told AFP that a group of Greek tourists had visited…

Mar 9, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Metropolitan invites doctor to tell believers how to avoid coronavirus

As people across Romania are gripped by anxiety, hoping that the coronavirus doesn’t affect them, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat invited a doctor to address believers following the Sunday Divine Liturgy on how to avoid the spread of the new virus. “Dear brothers and sisters, seeing the anxiety and the disorder, because such a…

Mar 5, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolis of Bessarabia urges calm and discernment over coronavirus fears

The Metropolis of Bessarabia urged believers to remain calm and to strictly follow the recommendations transmitted by the health authorities to avoid infections with the new coronavirus (Covid-19). In a press release, the Orthodox Metropolis of Bessarabia listed the main recommendations of authorities to prevent the spread of coronavirus: wash hands and face vigorously with…

Mar 4, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel sends pastoral message to strengthen faith and Eucharistic communion

The Press office of the Romanian Patriarchate published a communiqué on February 27, 2020, in the context of excessive media coverage of the epidemic caused by Coronavirus (Covid – 19) and following requests from some state institutions that the Church should take measures to prevent the spread of the virus and to reduce the population’s…

Feb 28, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Ilia of Georgia on the coronavirus: All of this is for strengthening of faith and prayers

The coronavirus is another test, designed to strengthen our faith, His Holiness Patriarch-Catholicos Ilia II of Georgia told his flock during his Sunday homily at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. “You know that a new virus has appeared. Many people are scared because of the virus. Some have called it a ‘deadly virus,’” he said.…

Feb 4, 2020Sorin Ioniţe