Patriarchate: Prohibition of Church Services for Those in Need is a Crime before God
The Georgian Patriarchate has released a statement regarding the current situation in the country, referring to restrictions imposed within the state of emergency regime.
As a part of the state of emergency declared throughout the country, the Georgian Government on Monday banned social gatherings of more than 10 people, including weddings, funerals, etc.
The above decision aims to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country; however, it does not apply to churches.
A certain part of society believes that the social gathering of more than 10 people should also be prohibited in temples to reduce the risk of the spread of the pandemic.
The statement released by the Patriarchate reads that the Church strives to maximally adhere to the safety measures established by the State and the National Center for Disease Control.
“We continue to urge parishioners the following: if their health condition is not satisfactory, they can stay at home until they are fully healed, while those attending church services should keep the 2 meters distance between each other in the church. In the yard of the church, they should keep 1.5 meters distance. The parishioners can hear the liturgy through the sound system provided outside the building.
"Church services should be performed in an open space. When it comes to spreading the virus, we do not understand why there is so much emphasis on the spiritual life of parishioners, when there might be more people in public transport (bus, subway), pharmacy stores, or grocery stores.
"They are particularly opposed to the millennium practice of the Holy Communion, yet the majority of them do not have the proper religious knowledge or belief.
"Using one vessel for everyone during the Communion is the highest confirmation of unity and love of Christ and fellow believers, and whoever refuses to do so rejects the Savior!
"We understand that some people might be mistaken by the propaganda that is taking place in the world today and in our country; there are also clergymen who see a problem in people attending services, as well as in performing the Holy Communion ceremony, not meaning clergymen living abroad in strict quarantine.
"We want to tell everyone who links the risk of the spread of the virus to coming to church and attending services there to stay at home, and a bishop will visit them at home if they wish. The prohibition of attending church services for those in need is unjustified and a crime before God.
"Following the March 20 decision of the Holy Synod, we continue to urge everyone (coming to church or staying home) to pray, to realize their sins, to express sincere regret. We call on them to repent and attend the Holy Communion, in order to heal with the sacred blood and flesh of Christ," reads the statement.
On Friday, March 20, the Holy Synod held a meeting to discuss issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
It was announced after the meeting that no changes would be made to the Holy Communion rite.
Since the coronavirus outbreak started, some citizens have questioned the need for certain changes in religious rituals, in particular, to replace a common spoon and vessel used for all parishioners during the ceremony of the Holy Communion with disposable ones for safety reasons.
In response, the Holy Synod claims that using one spoon for all parishioners contains no threats as it is a "holy ceremony and people can't be infected this way."
One of the recommendations of specialists to prevent the further spread of coronavirus was addressed to the Church, asking them to not use the same vessel for everyone during Mass.
By Ana Dumbadze
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