By Metropolitan Nektarios of Hong Kong
As clergymen, we know that when God allows something tragic like the current pandemic to happen, it is a consequence of our arrogance.
This virus belongs to a family of viruses that cause the common cold and is capable of beating our immense arrogance and pride. The arrogance of economically powerful states. The arrogance of science. The pride of Churches and Religions.
Some people showed their true colours. This is the inhumanity of modern “civilised” states. These are the boundaries of human knowledge and science.
However, the suspension of church services does not mean that Christian clergymen have stopped their pastoral work. Many difficulties will come after the pandemic. Economic recession. Unemployment. Mental and spiritual problems.
Clergymen should carry on preaching. The Liturgy of the Lord’s Resurrection never ends. The Lamb of God defeated death. We are already living in the New Day of Resurrection. Nevertheless, the Lord has made clear that there still much work to be done. Unfortunately, the workers are always few. That is why there is no room for pusillanimous people nor for passive observers.
I hope the clergy will understand what I am talking about because “for everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
The text was published in Greek at orthodoxia.info
