After the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday, Archbishop Makarios of Australia said in his homily that we should deem the trial as a challenge, which would permit us to follow a more ascetic way of life and to strengthen our spirituality.
Due to the measures taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated behind closed doors at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation in Redfern, Sydney. However, Archbishop Makarios addressed the thousands of believers who were watching the Divine Liturgy online.
He also acknowledged that Holy Week would be a difficult time for all devout Christians, but it should be treated as a test. “We are currently experiencing a totally different situation, which is a new test we have to face. However, the greatest challenge we have to face is obedience,” he said, urging the faithful to”listen to what doctors and specialists tell us on how we can protect, not only ourselves but also the people around us and our society as a whole.”
“I would like to ask everyone not to be upset, not to be impatient, not to have doubts, not to be indignant, but to face the situation with humility and obedience. When we say, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on the sinner,’ we are calling on God’s grace to overshadow us,” he said.
Archbishop Makarios also highlighted that the current test was a challenge to follow a more ascetic way of life, but also an invitation and a challenge to strengthen our spirituality. “Even if you are not a churchgoer, even if you want to return to the Church, even if you are in communion, even if you are not in communion, what is important is to attain the most perfect union with Jesus Christ,” he concluded.