GOC hierarch: Diseases cannot be transmitted in the Church
Metropolitan Joel of Edessa, Pella and Almopia. Photo: video screenshot of the Youtube channel pella.news.gr
On September 3, 2020, on the day of the transfer of the relics of St. Nektarios of Aegins, the hierarch of Orthodox Church of Greece, Metropolitan Joel of Edessa, addressed the believers in a sermon, Romfea reports.
In his homily, His Eminence Metropolitan Joel stressed that the relics of saints, icons and vestments of saints have the grace of God, therefore they do not transmit any diseases.
Metropolitan Joel referred to the sacrament of the Eucharist, explaining that when trans-substantiation of the Holy Gifts takes place, no illness can approach.
“There is health in the temple, not disease. You can get the virus outside, not inside the church,” said the Metropolitan.
As reported by the UOJ, the head of the Church of Crete urged believers not to wear masks inside temples.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".