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

Most Britons oppose abortions, poll finds

The survey found that 62% of UK residents support legal protection for unborn children from the moment their heartbeat is first detected.

Annual academic conference opens at Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary

The fifteenth annual conference was dedicated to the anniversaries of Prince Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrožský and Metropolitan Rafail (Zaborovský).

Feminists attack Roman Catholic churches in Latin America

During protest actions, members of radical groups attacked cathedrals in several Latin American countries, assaulted police officers, and threw paint at believers.

UOC hierarch takes part in German bishops’ conference

Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka took part in the OBKD assembly in Düsseldorf.

Ivano-Frankivsk scraps school project planned on demolished UOC church site

The authorities in Ivano-Frankivsk have dropped plans to build the school for whose construction a UOC church was demolished.

Shostatsky to UOC: If you are so righteous – do not cling to your churches

The OCU metropolitan called on UOC faithful and clergy to pray rather than defend their churches from seizures.