Coronavirus Message of His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin
To the Reverend Clergy, Monastics and Faithful of the Diocese of the West:
The Lord bless.
I have recently gotten several emails and calls from clergy in regard to the Coronavirus or CV19 which has become of concern in Church life. It is important we do what is necessary to protect our flocks and strengthen their faith.
It would appear the virus is spread very much in the same way as influenza, that is by droplets broadcast in the air and onto surfaces produced by infected persons coughing and/or sneezing. And so, first of all, I would suggest you ask your parishioners to be considerate of others and to remain home if they are symptomatic (have flu-like symptoms, a fever, cough etc). Simply put, if you are ill, stay home. And, should one have a compromised immune system or in any way vulnerable, it might likewise be good to remain home and avoid exposure until such time as the danger is passed.
It is also recommended one wash one’s hands or use a sanitizer like Purell frequently. This is true for both clergy and laity.
Some concern has been raised about kissing the Cross and whether or not to kiss the holy icons. Here at Holy Trinity Cathedral every effort has been made to make sure these surfaces are wiped down with disinfecting wipes prior to each service. Also, wipes are made available at the candle stand for those who feel it necessary to make use of them.
I have also been asked if we should refrain distributing antidoron and offering zapivka. Certainly, should there be a concern, I would note it is not at all mandatory for one to consume them.
With regard to the chalice, it is our faith the Holy Body and Blood of Christ are intended for the health of both soul and body. Our Orthodox faith is essentially “Eucharistic”. We partake of the very Body and Blood of the glorified Son of God, the Divine Physician of both our souls and bodies. In an article by Fr. John Breck entitled “Disease and Holy Communion”, Metropolitan Nicolaos Hadjinikolaou, founder of the bioethics institute in Athens, states there is no evidence at all that illness has ever been transmitted through Eucharistic communion. Were that the case, the clergy who consume the chalice after all the people have had communion would have a higher death-rate than the general populace. And this is simply not the case. “To declare that disease cannot be transmitted via Holy Communion is an article of faith; it cannot be proved to the satisfaction of everyone (it would amount to proving a negative). Yet as Orthodox Christians, we have two millennia of experience that goes a very long way to confirm what we believe to be true regarding the “real presence” of Christ in the Eucharist, a presence that is actually and ontologically real, true and accessible.”
But, let those whose faith is weak not be shamed or demeaned in anyway. Rather, let us care for them and strengthen their faith.
Finally, I would remind you all, should anyone be fearful, each of us is a free person who can choose for his or herself.