Coronavirus pandemic

The Week in Pictures: March 23 – 29, 2020

Although believers don’t have access to divine services, clergy still offer prayers and hope that things will soon come back to normal. Here is our selection of pictures taken last week throughout the Orthodox world during coronavirus outbreak.  Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews Follow us on Instagram: @basilica.ro We would gladly include one of your…

Apr 2, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Monks in Mount Athos and Meteora unite their prayers against coronavirus

A vigil was held on Mount Athos in a wholesome atmosphere of respect for our Most Holy Lady, Virgin Mary, and Saint Charalambos concerning the coronavirus pandemic. As the coronavirus has become a scourge worldwide, the Orthodox Church said a special prayer of Metropolitan of Edessa for the protection of the faithful. On Friday evening,…

Mar 30, 2020Gheorghe Anghel

Patriarch Daniel urges believers to intensify fasting efforts: Turn physical hunger and thirst into hunger and thirst for God

In words following the proclamation of the Gospel reading on Sunday, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the need to intensify the fasting efforts during Lent, noting that this law established in paradise reflects a hunger and thirst for God. ‘To intensify our fasting efforts means to turn our physical hunger and thirst into hunger and thirst for…

Mar 29, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Mt. Athos to hold vigils and processions against coronavirus

Holy Mount Athos is closed to pilgrims until the end of March, but its monasteries continue prayer and religious services even more fervently. The governing Holy Community of Mount Athos has urged all churches and sketes on its territory to hold cross processions and officiate All-Night Vigils to the Mother of God, who is the…

Mar 27, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Nine Romanian monasteries are sewing bed linen sets for hospitals amid Covid-19 outbreak

In the new medical crisis which has reached Romania, nine monasteries from the Archdiocese of Iaşi, in the northeastern part of the country, offered to help hospitals. They have started making bed linen sets to be donated to local hospitals which are treating or prepare to treat Covid-19 patients. In addition to the cotton linen…

Mar 26, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: March 16 – 22, 2020

As the coronavirus pandemic brings the global lifestyle to a change, the Orthodox Church reorganized its worship in compliance with the recommendations of the authorities. Here is our selection of photos from the Orthodox world taken between March 16 and 22, 2020. Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews Follow us on Instagram: @basilica.ro We would gladly include one…

Mar 25, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Mount Athos closes for pilgrims and visitors because of the coronavirus epidemic

Deputy civil governor of Mount Athos Aristos Kasmiroglou has suspended the entrance of outside visitors and pilgrims to the Athonite State until March 30, 2020, according to Orthodox Times, which quotes Greek website ethnos.gr. This decision excludes officials and employees of Athos. The Holy Community of Mount Athos accepted the government’s decisions as formulated in…

Mar 20, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Archim. Zacharias Zacharou: Pandemic as going out in the Desert. Christ is with us there by calling upon His Name

Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou from “St John the Baptist” Monastery in Essex, Great Britain, has sent spiritual advice to the faithful who are panicked by the current coronavirus epidemic. He gives the answer to the question how to face a possible interruption of the celebration of the Divine Liturgy? We should use this time for spiritual…

Mar 20, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Antiochian Archdiocese of America publishes service texts for faithful home reading

During the coronavirus outbreak, the Archdiocese has given the blessing to its faithful to read the texts of religious services at home. The faithful participation to church services has been banned in the United States during the instated state of emergency. Therefore, the Department of Liturgics of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America…

Mar 20, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Cluj Archdiocese gives food, accommodation for quarantined people

The four social canteens in the Archdiocese of Cluj can provide, upon request, free food for the elderly and the sick in self-isolation, the Archdiocese has announced. The Archdiocese is also ready to provide isolation spaces for those in need. The quarantine facilities are at the “Ioan Bunea” social missionary center in Sângeorz Băi city,…

Mar 20, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Transylvania Metropolitan urges prayer for loving protection of the Virgin Mary in times of pandemic

In addition to the recommendation to respect the regulations announced by authorities, Metropolitan Laurentiu of Transylvania advised the clergy to officiate every morning the Supplicatory Canon of the Theotokos and to read the special prayer for the cessation of the coronavirus pandemic. “We ask all the ministers of the altars in all the parishes and…

Mar 19, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu