His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia was unable to celebrate the feast of the repose of St. Sergius of Radonezh at the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra today because he is under quarantine, having come into contact with someone who was found to be infected with the coronavirus.
Patriarch Kirill explains in his letter to His Grace Bishop Thomas of Sergiev Posad, the abbot of the monastery: “It is with the deepest regret that I would like to attest that I cannot share in the joy of prayerful communion with all of you this time. This is because of my recent contacts with a person who was found to have the coronavirus infection. The time for my personal quarantine required by medical regulations has not yet expired. I consider it impossible to expose all of you to the danger of infection.”
“But, bearing in mind that there are no borders or distances for prayer, I spiritually rejoice in this celebration and together with all of you I offer prayers to St. Sergius. I know how great is the power of conciliar prayer, and I firmly hope for his intercession before the throne of God,” the Patriarch added.
The current pandemic is an opportunity to deepen our spiritual lives and be convinced of the power of prayer, the Russian primate exhorted.
There are two possible results of any trial, he said: Either a person breaks down and loses his faith and hope in God, or he comes out with stronger faith, and “the realization that everything happens according to the providence of the Almighty.”
