Directives on Implementing the 03.28.20 Communique
To our Most Beloved Clergy, Monastics and Faithful
of the God-protected Diocese of Eastern America of the Serbian Orthodox Church
The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church on the basis of its official Act No. 254/1 of March 28, 2020, has issued a formal Communiqué (attached), which clearly and unambiguously states that all divine services in churches and in the open air are to be celebrated without the presence of faithful. Though this directive is put forth at the urging of the Government of Serbia, the same has already been in effect in many states in our Diocese and in the United States of America, as well as most locations throughout the world.
It is critically important that our parish communities, clergy and their faithful, as well as our monastics, do all that is within faith and reason to maintain the safety of our parishes and monasteries and those who worship therein. There can be no exception to this rule!
Therefore, the directive in the aforementioned Communiqué of the Holy Synod will be implemented, until further notice, in the God-protected Diocese of Eastern America, in tandem with relevant directives that we have issued up until the present. Painful as it is, we must be spiritually united during this unprecedented pandemic, ever heeding the words of Holy Scripture:
“If one member suffers, all suffer together with it;
if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it” (I Cor. 12:26).
Let us all earnestly pray for better times and a radiant future, when the Sun of Righteousness will put an end to this suffering, and for the expedient restoration of Life itself.
These directives are to be posted on all church websites and distributed through all social media and parish mailing lists, electronic, or otherwise.
With Archpastoral blessings and Paternal love,
+IRINEJ
Bishop of Eastern America
- Synodal Communiqué 03.28.20:
http://www.spc.rs/eng/communique_holy_synod_bishops_1
Source: Eastern American Diocese
