A few days ago, Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia had an online live meeting with the young people of the Metropolis.
The Metropolitan answered questions he received via Facebook over the past week.
The Metropolitan of Nea Ionia stated that humankind was undoubtedly facing a great ordeal today. He spoke of a dangerous invisible enemy that has brought not only death and panic but also fear and insecurity all over the world. “We need a plan to defeat the pandemic, so it requires patience, method and consistency, mobilization and unity. Our weapons are prayer and scientific knowledge.”
For this reason, Metropolitan Gabriel said, we should not overlook the fact that both the Church and science do not fight each other by nature, nor oppose each other, but cooperate and help each other since their common aim is the salvation of humankind.
The second major issue, which was mentioned during the meeting, is whether the virus is transmitted inside the church.
“The Church is the ‘Body of God’,” stressed the Metropolitan of Nea Ionia, “But the Church as the Body of Christ and the space of the church is two different things. The space of the church may be sanctified but it does not cease to be perishable, as the human body is perishable, which is a church of the Holy Spirit and is destined for deification and sanctification.”
“However, the same does not apply to the Mystery of the Eucharist, which is the Body and Blood of Christ and everyone is called to partake freely and voluntarily in the mystery.”
“Therefore, what is dangerous is not the Eucharist, which does not transmit viruses, but the mass gathering,” added Metropolitan Gabriel, “That is why the Church of Greece was wise enough to accept the reduction of the number of the faithful in the churches for the benefit of society as a whole and sided with the scientific community, respecting the findings of medical science, when they do not deprive people of salvation.
He stressed that our Church did not oppose the experts. “But it also expresses its faithful people who anguish over this ordeal. It listens to the fear and ponders over the mental state of people when everything is falling apart due to insecurity and confinement. Thus, the Church is going to pray for the people who got sick, as well as for those who lost their loved ones due to the pandemic.”
He concluded that no one was superior to the Church. “That is why let us listen and trust only the voice of the official Church. Only the voice of the Church, nothing less than that! Obedience to the Church is a necessary element for our salvation but the joy of obedience requires a repentant mind and a humble heart.”