His Beatitude Onuphry, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine, encouraged the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to follow the advice of physicians, but put their hope on God and change their lives for the better with repentance. Metropolitan Onuphry addressed the faithful in connection with the spread of the coronavirus infection COVID-19 in Ukraine on March 27, 2020, reports Orthodox Life.
“Do what the doctors tell you today … but trust in God and try to change your life for the better, because our sins are the cause of what happened to us,” said His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.
The metropolitan wished good health to those who fell ill and asked them to pray at home in order to avoid endangering those who are still healthy.
During the quarantine period, the Primate noted that churches remain open, but there are temporary restrictions on the number of worshipers. Those who want to come to a church for confession and communion, are advised to first contact the parish priest to make arrangements.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine said in particular:
“Currently we are going through a difficult time. Grief befell us: an infectious disease called coronavirus is spreading in the world. Therefore, as the prophet Jeremiah once said, I encourage you to be patient, to repent and to pray! And do what doctors tell you to today. They understand the safety precautions for this disease.
“Do it, but trust in God and try to change your life for the better. Because our sins are the cause of what happened to us.
“We wish health to those who are sick. But they should pray at home so that they do not endanger those who are still healthy with their presence in a church.
“Churches during this epidemic are the place where a person finds peace and comfort for themselves. Therefore, the churches are open. But we have to adhere to the sanitary rules that exist today, and do not let 100 people in, as it was before, but two. In order to avoid a situation, when 20 people came in to confess and take Holy Communion on the same day, it is better to first make arrangements with a priest over the telephone. The priest will set a time, and people will be able to come and quietly confess and partake in the healing of their soul and body.”
