Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus agrees with the measures taken by the government in order to stem the spread of the pandemic and says that the measures should have been even stricter. In addition, he strongly condemns the acts committed by mask-deniers.
Speaking to reporter.com.cy, he was asked to comment on the measures announced last night by the Minister of Health. The Archbishop of Cyprus said that he agreed with the decision and stressed that they should be even stricter because the coronavirus must be eradicated.
“If the pandemic is not eradicated, things will be even worse. I am in favour of rigorousness. We must not go out without wearing a mask nor without taking the necessary precautions. We must avoid spreading or getting it,” he said.
“Everyone should take care of himself or herself and their fellow human beings. This is the only way for us to succeed. However, we will not do so, if everyone does not realise that they must neither spread nor get the virus from other people,” he added.
Archbishop of Cyprus condemns acts by mask-deniers
As reported by reporter.com.cy, Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus also spoke of the fact that many of our fellow citizens refuse to wear masks; “This is reprehensible,” he said firmly. “We all have to comply with the rules. This is what doctors, scientists say and, therefore, we must obey. We must keep a certain distance from each other in the church, I am in favour of such a measure, but also we must do so during our visits and wherever we go. We should not stand next to each other because this virus multiplies exponentially. We must not act irresponsibly,” he said.
He also referred to the issue of Holy Communion, for which the Minister of Health said that it was everyone’s responsibility. “The Church is strict and, therefore, it will not allow this disease to spread. Let no one worry about the Church because we are strict. We keep distances and during the receiving of Holy Communion no one will contract the virus since we are very cautious and we respect the measures announced by scientists.”
“We gave instructions everywhere”
Regarding the priests who belong to the vulnerable groups and whether measures are being considered to protect them, Archbishop Chrysostomos pointed out in the interview he gave to reporter.com.cy: “Our priests are careful so as not to be infected by the virus nor to transmit it to others. We gave instructions everywhere. Hopefully, we will all follow the way that the Church thinks and acts. If everyone acts as we do, COVID-19 will be eradicated from Cyprus.”
As for whether priests should wear masks during the Divine Liturgy, he noted that they wore masks, “but while they officiate the Divine Liturgy and chant, they cannot do so. The priest is alone in the sanctuary; He does not need a mask. He has the mask next to him. He cannot receive Holy Communion and wear a mask. How will He do it? But when he offers Holy Communion to others, the priest will be wearing his mask and be keeping a certain distance. We also gave orders to the ecclesiastical commissioners to maintain order, to be two meters behind each other or even three meters; so that there is not even a slight possibility that one would transmit the virus to the other.”
Another issue that many complain about is the Church protocol. The Archbishop of Cyprus pointed out, “I asked and even heard yesterday that they want to keep a distance of three square meters from each other. I proposed the Minister, to keep a distance of four square meters from each other and he agreed. We want to keep distances.”
The message to the world
Archbishop Chrysostomos also wanted to send a message to the world, that is to be very careful in order to get rid of COVID-19.
“I want to be strict; If we want the virus to disappear from Cyprus, we must be responsible. If we are irresponsible, forget it. We will suffer more than Europe, which is well-governed countries and suffer from so many deaths every day, which is a terrible thing. We Greeks were the most undisciplined but we are the best in Europe.”