Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we live under the shadow of a pandemic due to the Corona Virus (COVID-19), we continue to realize that the disturbing spread of this virulent germ has significantly jarred not only the rhythm of our social life but also our church life.
To lead us through this period of change, we are receiving regular guidance from our hierarchs. Let me draw your attention to special communications issued by the Orthodox Church in America’s (OCA) Holy Synod of Bishops and Metropolitan Council and from our primate of the Orthodox Church in America and our presiding bishop here in the Diocese of New England, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, regarding church regulations during the pandemic :
- May 1, 2020 Holy Synod of the OCA Archpastoral Letter
- May 1, 2020 Holy Synod of the OCA Directives for COVID-19: “Towards a Re-opening of Our Churches”
- April 25, 2020 Bright Week Greeting from Metropolitan Tikhon to the Diocese of New England
- April 18, 2020 Paschal Message from Metropolitan Tikhon
- April 6, 2020 Message by Metropolitan Tikhon, “Let us ask ‘how,’ not ‘why’.”
- March 31, 2020 Joint Communique of the Holy Synod of Bishops and the Metropolitan Council
- March 30, 2020 Directives for the Clergy and the Parish, Mission, and Monastic Communities
- March 30, 2020 Archpastoral Statement from the Holy Synod of Bishops
- March 21, 2020 Interview with Metropolitan Tikhon on “Ancient Faith Today Live” regarding the Corona Virus Pandemic
- March 17, 2020 Urgent Archpastoral Message from Metropolitan Tikhon
- March 13, 2020 Holy Synod of Bishops Archpastoral Statement Concerning the Corona-Virus Outbreak
Let me also draw your attention to a common toolkit developed by the Assembly of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America that presents suggestions for a staged reopening of churches in the U.S.A. Although our parish will be developing and following its own particularly tailored plan to reopen, which eventually will need to receive the blessing by our ruling hierarch, Metropolitan Tikhon, this toolkit presents some helpful resources for consideration as we work on our own plan. It includes:
- Risk Reducing Measures Specific to Orthodox Christian Services
- CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces
- Guidelines & Considerations for Pastoral Home Visitations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Federal Guidelines for Opening Up America Again
I know all of us are disheartened that we cannot attend the inspired liturgical services together. But, as Metropolitan Tikhon notes in one of his messages: “Others may worry that [these] directives will shatter our life in community and separate us from Church life. I would ask you to be mindful that these actions are taken for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and even for the larger community. This is an opportunity to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of the neighbor whom we love.”
Besides our own church services being held virtually, you may also wish to follow the daily services being live-streamed by the nuns from Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City, PA: here. On Sundays Akathist and Hours are served at 8:45 a.m. and Divine Liturgy is served at 9:00 a.m. Additionally, the nuns hold the following services Tuesday through Friday: 6:30 a.m.—Matins &1st Hour, Typica; noon—3rd, 6th & 9th Hours; 5:00 p.m.—Vespers and Compline (with an Akathist on Friday). On Saturday, Matins is at 7:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy is at 8:45 a.m., and Vigil is at 6:30 p.m. The monastery is closed on Mondays.
Finally, the OCA website has a very rich and helpful collection of online resources that you can use at home to continue your life of prayer at home during this time: See OCA resources here.
Please feel free to call me if you have questions or concerns: (203) 572–0026.
Yours in our Lord, Father John, Pastor
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