According to open sources, was hospitalized on may 8 with suspected coronavirus Archpriest Dmitry Smirnov, known for his public commentaries, connected to the ventilator. His condition is estimated as heavy. Although up until recently he claimed that “a pandemic is an extremely useful phenomenon, which allows to develop love for others”.
it is possible that among different population groups most vulnerable to COVID-19 are the clergy. Only last month contracted Archpriest Alexander Shargunov. With him sick deacon and two altar servers of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Pyzhi.
24 APR coronavirus was diagnosed with Metropolitan Dionysius, who led the group to the Patriarch for the coordination of actions in conditions of a pandemic. A few days earlier during service in the Church contracted COVID-19 rector of the Moscow theological Academy Pitirim.
As previously reported, in April of this dangerous infection died Protopriest George Breev, rector of the Cathedral elohovskom Alexander Ageikin, Bishop of Zheleznogorsk and Lgov Benjamin.
This series of events shows that the walls of the temple do not protect against coronavirus neither priests nor parishioners. And hurry up with the beginning of Church services probably should not be.
moreover, does not seem quite appropriate desire some fathers of the Russian Orthodox Church soon to open temples for the faithful. The conditions of isolation in Moscow and in some other regions of the country gradually begins to soften, the Russians restore the previous working mode.
According to them, it’s time to “normal activities” to go to religious organizations.
In particular, to come to the temple on the feast of the ascension which is celebrated this year on 28 may, Ministers of the Church are asking the state to open a parochial institution. But also intercede for those economic preferences, which in our country is small and medium business.
With a letter to the government addressed a group of state Duma deputies. Lawmakers asked to resolve the issue open for parishioners and Church NGOs, “to return to normal activities.” What the authorities should adopt the standard of their functioning in conditions of quarantine. Preserving the health requirements on the maximum number of seats in enclosed spaces, and also services outside of the temple.
it is noted that the Church needs the economic support of the state in the image and likeness of that of small and medium businesses. So, the Russian President recently announced additional measures to support this sector of the economy. In particular, forgiveness of taxes for the last three months and that is not unimportant, a salary grant in ��Asmara the minimum wage for organisations, retaining no less than 90% of personnel.
As the authors of the letter, the Church in the current difficult times is able to solve the most pressing social issues, strengthen the congregation’s soul and faith. Because their activities are not less but perhaps more important than the work of other nonprofit organizations.
And the Russian Orthodox Church, and a group of deputies of the state Duma hope that the voice of the faithful will be heard and their requests, the Executive will perform until the end of next week, when the government of the total package will state aid to small and medium businesses.
– it is Necessary to say that the Church was indeed in a difficult position,- said political analyst Alexei Makarkin.- If you look at the Church calendar, the period of the pandemic occurred in the time of Lent: Holy week and Easter. These services provide the greatest influx of members and accordingly the most donations. On the feast of the radiant Resurrection come, even those who usually attends Church rarely.
Revenues plummeted, many parishes find themselves in difficult financial position.
on the other hand, consider the public reaction. There are many enterprises and industries, which the state in the conditions of self-isolation does not help and not save. How they react to the fact that the government supported religious organizations, and their – no?
speaking of religious organizations. In Russia many religions, according to the Constitution they are all equal, does not say anything about anybody’s priority. If you make a political decision to help – immediately the question arises: who and in what amounts?
the Church hopes that the churches will be allowed to open in the near future. But the situation is such that a diagnosis of COVID-19 hospitals were a prominent Church hierarchs. Do I need to rush things?
This epidemology. Pandemic is distributed across the country unevenly. Somewhere temples you can access anywhere else early. And they never closed. Go away from Moscow. In the Tver region, as far as I know, is not closed.
There went on the Belarusian road?
– Not quite, parades on may 9 are not satisfied. But in the churches adhered to health standards, social distance. Of such services to shoulder to shoulder, was not. You need to look for each region.
In Europe, churches are gradually opening. There you can just come and pray individually. Probably some time in such a format can work and our religious organizations. Without a large number of the parishioners during the service indoors, without the crush.
