PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR THE EPISCOPATE, PRIESTHOOD AND BELIEVERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PANDEMIA OF CORONAVIRAL DISEASE (COVID-19)

The guidelines listed below are approved by the Holy Synod and intended to:

• testify the Church’s concern for all its children, both strong and weak in faith, to share the burden of forced constraints with the nation, keeping in mind the words from the Holy Scripture: “Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2)
• to assist in making, first of all, the most vulnerable to the threat of disease part of our society – old and elderly people, to stay at home during the pernicious epidemic, remaining in the safest conditions;  since we have all our hopes in the mercy and help from the Lord, but we also do not forget a warning: “…You shall not put the Lord your God to the test” (Luke 4:12);
• to testify that the restrictions ,we have taken about the order of worshipping procedures and other changes and restrictions in the church life, are the manifestation of our faith’s power, but not  its weakness, following the example of a centurion who said, “Lord,… I did not consider myself worthy to come to You; but just say the word, and my servant will be healed..” and  whose words were honored by the following answer from the Savior: ” I say to you,  not even in Israel have I found such great faith”(Luke 7: 2-10);
• to beware the fervor in relying on one’s faith, as it had happened with the apostle Peter, who first walked on the water and then began to sink (Matt. 14: 23-32), who also promised that he would remain with the Savior, even if all would leave Him, and then denied Him three times (Matt. 26: 33-35,75);
• “…I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity” (2 Cor. 11:12), because the Holy Scripture calls for, “But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Cor. 8: 9).

1. To consider and to comply with legal prescriptions, orders, regulations and quarantine restrictions imposed by the state, local government and health authorities to prevent either ignoring the real danger or manifesting panic.

2. To perceive changes and limitations caused by the disease spreading as an ascetic feat of restraint and self-restriction from communication (reclusion), the essence of which coincides with the purpose and the practice of fasting, remembering the words of the Savior: “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you ”(Matt. 6: 6).

3. As a temporary extraordinary measure, showing concern about believers, depending on the restrictions imposed by public authorities and local governments, in particular on transportation and operation of public transport, restrictions on the possible number of people during public gatherings (as of 03/17/2020 – no more than 10 people) – to cancel worshipping services  in churches or to change its order so that no more than a limited number of people be attending.

The Divine Liturgies should be performed in the presence of a limited number of people, asking the laity to stay at home, joining the general prayer through video broadcasting. Those who wish to confess and to take Communion can do it throughout the whole day, according to the conditions of Communion preparation.  Priests should show the appropriate prudence in each case.

4. Throughout the day temples should be open for personal visiting and prayer, communication with priests while following the general rules. It’s necessary to strengthen anti-epidemic safety measures in temples, use disinfectants, in particular to keep icons and other shrines clean.

5. For the time of the pandemic, as a sufficient manifestation of shrines’ worshipping (the Cross, icons, holy relics) it is enough to bow in front of them, without kissing;

The above mentioned also applies to personal greetings and showing respect between members of the Church, in particular, between priests and laity people when blessing. When blessing with the Cross, it is enough to cross over without kissing.

6. Temporarily it’s not allowed to transfer shrines (holy relics, worshipped icons) from places of their permanent storage, also to organize pilgrimages.

7. As a temporary extraordinary measure, the Communion of the Christ’s Body and Blood is allowed to be performed in the same way as it is usually done by priests during the Liturgy of the Holy Gifts, that is: the prepared pieces of the Body, where a part of the Blood is put by the spoon (as it is done when preparing the spare Gifts) should be given from the discos into the hands of a person taking Communion (or from the spoon without touching the mouth).

In doing so, the importance of careful consuming the Gifts should be explained to people taking Communion . Disposable napkins should be used to wipe lips and then burned in a clean place afterwards. Only disposable tableware should be used for drinking water after taking Communion OR only Antidor should be eaten.

The Church firmly preserves its special attitude for the Eucharist, the Communion of the Christ’s Body and Blood, as to the Sacrament, which is served “for the healing of body and soul,” and not for the consumption of food (1 Corinthians 11: 20-30).

Using the same way of the Communion for the laity and for the priesthood is aimed to take care of the weak in faith (Rom. 14: 1-13), and also for the Sacrament and the Church not to be subjected to groundless shame from outsiders.

8. Its allowed to serve the Holy Communion with spare Gifts to everybody asking for it at any time, as it is done for the sick ones and the ones in mortal danger.

9. When performing the Sacrament of Confession, it’s necessary to follow the general rules of “social distancing” and above mentioned guidelines to the fullest extent, taking care of others and not giving any reason to temptations, also it’s allowed to practice the General Confession.

10. Taking into account the restrictions about social meetings, do not conduct the Holy Unction, but serve this Sacrament individually especially to those in need, in accordance with its meaning and tradition.

11. The Sacrament of Baptism and the Funeral should be performed according to general restrictions on the number of people gathering together.

12. If possible and if the weather conditions permit, it is allowed to worship in the open air, next to temples, but following the rules on the number of people gathered simultaneously and “social distancing”.

These guidelines can be modified and complemented as the situation changes, since the Lord Himself taught us: “…the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

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