• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Orthodox Times (en)
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Orthodox Times (en)
No Result
View All Result

Are we ready? Thoughts and concerns regarding the future 

Jul 09, 2020 | 09:45
in Opinions
And with these gifts

The novel coronavirus has brought an overwhelming strain on public health systems throughout the world, causing physical and emotional pain to millions.

It has jolted the world’s economy, bringing on poverty and sparking a global hunger crisis. It has aroused untamable fear and paranoia, causing unprecedented political, social and religious contention, together with rioting, killings, and domestic violence. What overshadows all of this is the uncertainty of when it will all end.

Epidemiologist Michael T. Osterholm and writer Mark Olshaker, in their informative article Chronicle of a Pandemic, Foretold: Learning From the COVID-19 Failure—Before the Next Outbreak Arrives, published in the periodical “Foreign Affairs” (July/August 2020), write:

“The current crisis will eventually end, either when a vaccine is available or when enough of the global population has developed immunity (if lasting immunity is even possible), which would likely require some two-thirds of the total population to become infected. Neither of those ends will come quickly, and the human and economic costs in the meantime will be enormous.”

And they continue: “This pandemic is probably not “the Big One,” the prospect of which haunts the nightmares of epidemiologists and public health officials everywhere. The next pandemic will most likely be a novel influenza virus with the same devastating impact as the pandemic of 1918, which circled the globe two and a half times over the course of more than a year, in recurring waves, killing many more people than the brutal and bloody war that preceded it.

Examining why the [the world is] in this current crisis is thus not simply a matter of accountability or assigning blame. Just as this pandemic was in many ways foretold, the next one will be, as well. If the world doesn’t learn the right lessons from its failure to prepare and act on them with the speed, resources, and political and societal commitment they deserve, the toll next time could be considerably steeper. Terrible as it is, Covid-19 should serve as a warning of how much worse a pandemic could be—and spur the necessary action to contain an outbreak before it is again too late.”

The question we must ask is if we have learned anything from this pandemic to better minister to our fellow brothers and sisters in the future? Are we now able to better distinguish what we are as the Body of Christ when our “normal” way of existence has been disrupted? Did we take this opportunity to close the gap between Faith and the Community of Science to work together in the future? As Covid-19 continues to assault the people of the world, what are we doing to enrich our ministries in caring for those that are suffering and those that grieve from its consequences; for the medical and health care professionals and clergy; for the lonely and isolated; for those have encountered family turmoil? Other than providing food and material goods, how are we ministering to the spiritual needs of those that are now economically deprived? What have we done to deal with the religious paranoia that seems to have lorded over us during this period of fear? All these questions bring us to the final and most critical question: will we be ready to face “the Big One” that, with scientific surety, will definitely come?   

These challenges are immense. In attempting to deal with them, it is natural that most people will continue to first consider their own interests, both now and in the future.  But we need to realise that a world that is disunited and self-centred, with no common purpose, is a world that will invite many problems. The reality is that if we are not ready to face the pastoral challenges that lay before us, we as a Church will not be able to contribute to the unity of Mankind that is so much needed. Thus, the question is not only if we are ready to do so. The question is: are we are willing to do so?  Are we ready and willing to answer to Christ’s call: “pastor my flock”?  

There are no definite answers to these questions, just as there are no clear solutions to the complex problems stated above. The contradicting aspects of human nature form various kinds of inner tensions that in turn, form various perspectives in how human tragedy should and can be dealt with. In order to enhance resilience amid this pandemic and begin to look toward the future, we must begin to discuss our internal contingencies and the complexities of the problems at hand within a network of cooperation and sharing. It is only in this manner that we will be able to face the unknown and dangerous unpredictabilities that are before us.

Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Tags: Opinions

Follow OrthodoxTimes.com on Google News and learn all the news about Orthodoxy in Greece and worldwide.

All the latest developments in the Orthodox world, society and humankind, at the moment they happen, at OrthodoxTimes.com


Related Posts

The five plagues of Orthodoxy
Opinions

The five plagues of Orthodoxy

June 14, 2025
What do the Russians want in the Orthodox strongholds
Opinions

What do the Russians want in the Orthodox strongholds

June 10, 2025
Bishop of Melitene: Sunday of Holy Pentecost
Opinions

Bishop of Melitene: Sunday of Holy Pentecost

June 8, 2025
The Greek Orthodox Monastery of Sinai and the Challenges of a “Neutral” Declaration: Legal and Canonical Dimensions
Opinions

The Greek Orthodox Monastery of Sinai and the Challenges of a “Neutral” Declaration: Legal and Canonical Dimensions

June 6, 2025
Sinai Monastery: Ecclesiastical status, international protection, and challenges of modern legal landscape
Opinions

Sinai Monastery: Ecclesiastical status, international protection, and challenges of modern legal landscape

June 3, 2025
How autonomous is the Church of Crete?
Opinions

How autonomous is the Church of Crete?

June 1, 2025
Load More
Next Post
Decoration of Ambassador of Republic of Cyprus in Israel

Decoration of Ambassador of Republic of Cyprus in Israel

Latest News

Official Dinner at the Patriarchal Residence honoring Archbishop Ioannis of Albania

Official Dinner at the Patriarchal Residence honoring Archbishop Ioannis of Albania

by NewsRoom
Jun 17, 2025 | 11:21
0

On the evening of Monday, June 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew hosted an official dinner at...

Romanian Patriarchate ensures safety of its Holy Land institutions amid recent conflict

Romanian Patriarchate ensures safety of its Holy Land institutions amid recent conflict

by NewsRoom
Jun 17, 2025 | 09:10
0

In light of the recent outbreak of war in the Holy Land, Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, the Romanian Patriarchate’s representative...

Archbishop of America celebrates first Divine Liturgy in newly-opened St. Iakovos Church in Valparaiso, Indiana

Archbishop of America celebrates first Divine Liturgy in newly-opened St. Iakovos Church in Valparaiso, Indiana

by NewsRoom
Jun 17, 2025 | 08:32
0

The church was filled to standing room only on Sunday, June 15, 2025, for the first Divine Liturgy in...

Patriarch of Romania: Sanctification of humankind was the purpose of Pentecost

Patriarch of Romania: Sanctification of humankind was the purpose of Pentecost

by NewsRoom
Jun 16, 2025 | 22:02
0

Patriarch Daniel of Romania explained that the Sunday of All Saints follows immediately after Pentecost because “the purpose of...

The Archbishop of Albania at the Theological School of Halki

The Archbishop of Albania at the Theological School of Halki

by NewsRoom
Jun 16, 2025 | 16:28
0

On Monday, 16 June 2025, the newly elected Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania, John, paid an official...

Archbishop of Albania warmly welcomed by Megalo Revma Community

Archbishop of Albania warmly welcomed by Megalo Revma Community

by NewsRoom
Jun 16, 2025 | 15:00
0

On the evening of Sunday, June 15, the Megalo Revma Community had the distinct honor of welcoming Archbishop Ioannis...

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly newsletter



Quick Links

  • Orthodoxy
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • History
  • Press Releases

Get Social

About Us

Advertise

Contact

Terms Of Use

© 2025 OrthodoxTimes.com
digital world media

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Greek Version

© 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT