[Russian Orthodox Spokesman] V. Legoyda: Pascha Was Celebrated During Plagues and Other Disasters, We’ll Celebrate It This Year As Well

Pravmir ^ | 4/6/20

[marshmallow]

In the history of Christianity, there have been times when Pascha was celebrated during various social disasters, so the spread of the coronavirus infection will not interfere with its celebration this year, said Vladimir Legoyda, Head of the Synodal Department for Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media.

“When fellow journalists ask me: “What will happen with Pascha?”, I always answer: “Pascha will take place!” Pascha was celebrated during plagues, wars and other disasters, we will celebrate it this year as well,” said Vladimir Legoyda in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Speaking about the fact that Christ’s Pascha “symbolizes victory over death and all sufferings and imperfections of the world around us,” the representative of the Church added that the joy of this feast day “cannot be called into question by any external circumstances.”

“The only thing we should consider when celebrating Pascha is safety, so as not to endanger fellow believers and those around us. Christians celebrated Pascha even at the time when they could be killed on a daily basis. We’ll find a way to be with the Risen Christ on this day this time as well,” said V. Legoyda.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

PING

[lightman]

Unfortunately the Executive Committee of the Association of Canonically Orthodox Bishops sees otherwise:

Statement of the ACOB-USA Executive Committee Concerning Holy Week and Pascha (Easter)

To the Clergy and Faithful Orthodox Christians of the United States of America:

During this period of crisis, we, members of the Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, are meeting in conference call sessions every Friday to continually monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we discuss both pastoral and practical matters concerning the operational situation of our churches. As such, allow us first to thank all the medical health professionals, first responders, delivery personnel, and clergy who put themselves on the front lines in a sacrificial manner for the protection of our health and salvation.

We are facing unprecedented circumstances in extraordinary times. Many guidelines from various jurisdictions, following State and Federal regulations as well as CDC recommendations, have been successfully implemented in parishes around the country, helping to slow the spread of COVID-19. After consultation with public health and insurance officials, law enforcement, theologians, and pastoral care professionals, we, members of the Executive Committee, have reached a consensus concerning Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Pascha (Easter) and strongly encourage all Bishops of the Assembly to implement the following recommendations:

1. Services, celebrated by a maximum of five people consisting of a Priest, a Deacon, Chantor(s), and/ or Server(s), continue in the churches and may be streamed online for the faithful to pray from their homes.

2. None of the traditional material offerings are to be distributed to the faithful in any way, including palms and/or pussy willows, flowers, candles, and eggs, etc.

3. Spiritual guidance may be heard over the phone, but the implementation of the Sacrament of Confession and Prayer of Absolution remains at the discretion of the local Bishop.

Whereas some Bishops might implement more stringent practices out of love and concern for their flock and broader society, less stringent approaches will put the Faithful and their Clergy at high risk and should be avoided by all Bishops.

These measures mitigate the risk of transmission due to proximity. We affirm that the Eucharist is truly the Body and truly the Blood of Christ. These measures should in no way be seen to diminish this sacred and eternal Truth.

The Church presently calls upon us, as the source of blessings, to nurture us in the commandments of Christ and lead us to His Kingdom. As the Church tells us when to fast, and when not to fast, we listen and do our best to obey these instructions. In like manner, when we suffer together in our isolation and are unable even to receive the Eucharist because of mandated distancing, we are in reality, due to circumstance, also in full communion as the Body of Christ. As we unite – as faithful Christians, as a nation, and as a global community – to stop the spread of COVID-19, may the blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all!

Conveying our paternal blessings with love in the Lord,

Archbishop Elpidophoros, Chairman
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Metropolitan Joseph, Vice-Chairman
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Archbishop Michael, Treasurer
Orthodox Church in America

Metropolitan Gregory, Secretary
American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA

Bishop Irinej
Serbian Orthodox Church in North, Central and South America

Metropolitan Nicolae
Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas

Metropolitan Joseph
Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia

Bishop Saba
Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church in North America

Metropolitan Tikhon
Orthodox Church in America

[Ciexyz]

Prayers offered up during this Holy Week!

[lightman]

Aye.

We are in diaspora.

But God is not mindful of “social distancing”.