Patriarch Kirill urges to refrain from going to temples
Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill. Photo: .dw.com
On March 29, 2020, during a sermon in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus urged believers to refrain from visiting churches because of the coronavirus, RIA Novosti reported.
“Refrain from visiting temples. I would never say this, if it were not for the amazing, holy example of the Monk Mary of Egypt,” said the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church and noted that “the example of Mary of Egypt testifies that one can be saved even without going to the temple.”
He emphasized that there is “a very big threat of an epidemic and even a pandemic of a terrible virus,” the danger of which is not yet fully realized.
“The Church calls on everyone to undertake a commitment to strictly comply with all the requirements being proposed by the sanitary authorities of Russia today. Let us assume the feat to stay at home as illustrated by the feat of Mary of Egypt who chose not to leave the desert but was thirsty at the same time,” said Patriarch Kirill.
Recall, the Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, said that temples in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will be open for believers. “The temples during this epidemic are a place where a person is pacified, where a person finds solace for himself. Therefore, churches remain open,” His Beatitude Onuphry said in his address to believers in connection with the coronavirus.
Read also
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.
Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy
In Lutsk, the UOC’s annual youth forum brought together parish groups, clergy, and participants in a creative program for Orthodox Youth Day.
London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights
In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.