March 17, 2020
To the Faithful Clergy and Laity of the Metropolis of Boston
The last few weeks have been particularly stressful to all
Americans as well as citizens throughout the world as we face together the
deadly pandemic known as the Coronavirus. Based on stringent restrictions
on gatherings of more than 250 individuals placed in Massachusetts by Governor
Baker and his fellow New England governors, I sent a pastoral letter in
which I strongly encouraged the cancellation of church services, but left
that final decision to the priest and parish council of every community.
The number restricting gatherings to 250 was recently reduced to no more
than 25 before President Trump lowered that number to 10.
In light of
the continuing concern for this pandemic, and at the advice of medical
experts including the World Health Organization and the Center of Disease
Control and Prevention, I direct that all parishes in the Metropolis of
Boston cancel services until further notice. The faithful stewards of our
parishes should be encouraged to view our liturgical services on the
internet and various multimedia sources. https://www.goarch.org/live-broadcasts This decision is in concert with those taken by the
Church of Greece and the Church of Crete. The Coronavirus poses an
unprecedented public risk. No individual is immune from infection. As such,
what is expected of our Metropolis and its Parishes is to respond in a
proactive manner for the benefit of all people. We Orthodox Christians must
protect our own health and the health of our families and fellow citizens.
Let us pray
for those brethren who have dedicated their lives to the health, medical,
nursing and research fields. May we be strengthened as we face this
pandemic. “Lord of the Powers be with us, for in times of distress we have
no other help.”
✠ M E T H O D I O S
Metropolitan of Boston
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