“The coronavirus pandemic gives us the opportunity for a new form of exercise. Abstention from the Church. Abstention from the Holy Communion. No faithful received the Holy Communion on Holy Thursday. No one went to church,” says Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
“This year we will celebrate Easter in a different way. Easter will also be different, but we can make it beautiful because we will experience something completely new and ascetic at the same time. Something that exceeds our will and our desires,” he underlines.
He emphasizes, “If we are deprived of the Holy Communion and the Divine Liturgy without any fault on our part in this difficult period, we will not be deprived of His Name. Whether we commune or not, whether we go to church or not, let us not lose touch with the person of Christ.
I must tell you this too: It is probable that we go to church often and receive the Holy Communion, but our relationship with Christ is superficial, mawkish, false, and selfish. Do not be superficial. Explore the depth of your spirituality. Keep a vivid and prayerful communication with the person of Jesus Christ.”