Orthodox Church of Moldova calls to prayer amidst measles outbreak

Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and all Moldova calls upon clergy and laity to pray for the country's relief from measles, reports Interfax.

"We are deeply concerned about this unprecedented situation that has developed for the first time in 10 years. It bears great consequences, especially in the case of children... For this reason we ask priests and all faithful of the Church to pray for the country's relief from this contagious disease," said metropolitan Vladimir.

According to the National Health Agency, from January to September of this year approximately 198 cases of measles had been confirmed in the republic, while 68 other people are also suspected of having contracted the disease. The dangerous disease came to Moldova from Ukraine, while the reason for such a sharp spike in the disease was due to a large number of children that were not vaccinated against the virus, especially in Gagauzia, an autonomous region of Moldova.