For some "aspiring public leaders" who insist on involving Holy Communion and imposing "unscientific correlations with the spread of the coronavirus", in defiance of epidemiological evidence, speaks of the announcement issued today by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, on the occasion of the sleep of the blessed metropolitan of Lagada, the venerable John, and what was said about his exile and the testimony of his faith in the Holy Communion………
«Af’ At present, a democratic state guarantees religious freedom, δεν είναι δικαίωμά τους να ζητούν την κρατική απαγόρευσή της Θείας Κοινωνίας ως “ανθυγιεινής”, because they do not believe themselves. And above all, it is not their right to congratulate and mock the sleep of a fellow human being., because he was a clergyman of the Church, which they consider as a faction and even their opponent ", refers, including.
Reminded, also, that the Church of Greece with its circulars and announcements "never supported the deniers of the pandemic" and "always recommends discipline in sanitary measures inside and outside the holy temples".
In more detail, The announcement:
On the occasion of the sleep of the blessed Metropolitan of Lagada, Mr. Ioannou, some journalists mocked in an uncivilized way his death and the testimony of his faith in Holy Communion, as if they had data on the cause of the transmission of the disease. The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece finds with sadness that some media never stop targeting Orthodox Christians, clergy and laity, as their ideological opponent.
Against the distortions of the Church's speech, it is reminded that the Church of Greece with its Circulars and Announcements: a) always constitutes discipline in sanitary measures inside and outside the Holy Temples, b) never supported the deniers of the pandemic, c) never spread childish and pagan views that Orthodox priests or Christians in general were not going to get sick because of their status. On the contrary, the Holy Synod has been cooperating with the State since the beginning of the health crisis, and its members comply with health regulations, urging the clergy and the faithful to comply with the restrictions imposed by the State and suggested by its scientific advisers. The Church obviously accepts the importance and mission of medical science, as dictated by the Bible: "Honor the doctor as he deserves, having sub’ consider his services to your needs, because the Lord built him " (Soph. Σειράχ 38,1), emphasizing the crucial presence of faith in God for the healing of the believing man: "But at the same time pray to the Lord * and he will heal you" (Soph. Σειράχ 38,1).
Some aspiring public leaders neurotically insist on engaging exclusively in Holy Communion and imposing unscientific correlations with the spread of the coronavirus, in defiance of epidemiological evidence and even decide on matters of faith "dogmatizing" without any theological knowledge and competence. Af’ At the moment, the democratic state guarantees religious freedom, it is not their right to ask for the state ban of Holy Communion as "unhealthy", because they do not believe themselves. And above all, it is not their right to congratulate and mock the sleep of a fellow human being., because he was a clergyman of the Church, which they consider as a faction and even their opposite.
We urge everyone not to give in to the cultivation of social racism, targeting and incriminating the sick and the dead of the coronavirus pandemic for any reason. Please everyone stay calm, to respect patients, doctors, nurses and those struggling to treat patients, while at the same time we ask everyone to show due respect to the blessed Metropolitan of Langadas, Litis and Rentinis Mr. Ioannis, who in the ten years of his pastorate offered the maximum in all areas of his ministry. The pious crew of the Church of Greece in the pandemic continues to pray for the health and life of the people, while the clergy also perform the Divine Liturgy offering bloodless sacrifice to the Lord "for those who hate and love us" and "for the life and salvation of the world".