By George Kyprianou *
I am really ecstatic and speechless in the face of so much happening on behalf of the great pandemic of the corona. We are faced with a dizzying oversupply of medical reports, opinions, predictions, opinions, estimates, reactions and suggestions. And in the midst of this "madness", because such is the Church, the Divine Communion, the participation in the Sequences of the Church. Even though our minds are dizzy from the many that they give and take, some in favor, some against, some compromising, some completely ridiculous and misguided.
Threat from the crown virus. We accepted it. We believed it. Compulsory inclusion is the solution. We accepted her. We believed her. The developments are positive. We accept them and we believe them. However, I personally do not accept and do not believe in the anti-ecclesiastical measures against the church. I do not accept that the Church is being treated objectively and impartially. It is brighter than the sun. Especially at a time when there is not even a word about other campaigns and "marches", let alone that they are being facilitated.
Trump of America may be a frivolous scientist, but inside he is telling the truth. Like, that the consequences of long-term incarceration will be worse than the corona itself. And it's not just about finances. And it is true. Man is in danger of losing hope and strength to live. And that's the worst case scenario. Unfortunately, the "experts", not all of them, are stunned first by the proven failure and demythologization of their once "all-powerful" science and secondly by the material-centered and cosmopolitan view of life due to overdeveloped technological development, ignoring or indifferent to its basic needs. of man. They cannot or do not have the conditions to understand the great "hunger" and "thirst" of the soul that has learned to feed not only on "bread" and "spectacle" but also on the word of God and the Church. They should, as scientists and "saviors" of humanity, know that man wants more than preservation and preservation of his health. He wants mental empowerment and comfort. Serious and pioneering scientists in the field of psychology, such as Victor Frankl and many others, unreservedly argue, after research and observations, that religious sentiment is perhaps the strongest shield and defense against crises and catalytic challenges to life and society. .
Nevertheless, it became clear through the logic of the measures that those in charge did not measure and weigh the essential needs of man today and are in no mood to change or adjust any of the measures to make it easier for the faithful to quench their thirst for a while. their hungry faith. At the same time, given the fact that the warlords and deniers of the Church and Religion have always launched a fierce attack, under the pretext and justification of the need to protect us from the global threat.
But my biggest disappointment is not with the enemies of religion. She has the right to freedom of speech and opinion and is respected. It is for those who are determined, as it turned out, to be Christians. I feel sorry for that portion of the faithful, famous or anonymous, who before the crisis appeared in temples, worship ceremonies and gatherings, but then felt their hands in the trial of the truth about the transfer of the Body and Blood of Christ as well. the reasonableness of the request for the participation of the faithful in the worship services, mainly of Holy Week. Normally, one would expect all of us to first observe the absolutely acceptable restrictive measures, and gradually to be distinguished by discernment and understanding of the great spiritual need as Orthodox Christians to share in the Mysteries and pray in the Temples. At the moment, this is not even visible at the end of the tunnel.
On the contrary, we have seen many put up with "irresponsible" bishops, issue arrest warrants and drag them to the bottom of the media and investigative proceedings. To be blind when implementing the measures on the limit and distance of gathering citizens and to tighten Epitaphs and Holy Light, at the time when supermarkets, shops, services as well as initiatives for vehicle concerts etc. they work loosely and unguarded. To be blind when so many points, so many "types of nails" now and time to shout about the security of Holy Communion… And all this from Christians to Christians.
Finally, I humbly believe that those who decide on the Church and the Christian faith, especially in historical places such as Cyprus and Greece, should consider it twice. To consider that if there is one thing that has kept us alive in Turkish rule and British rule, it has been our living and unruly Orthodox faith. Our national survival was based on the living worship and sacrifice of priests, monks and ordinary believers of the Church. So, if it is lost, offended, underestimated and degraded, then our resilience and defenses will be very dubious. At least that's what our own history experiment shows.
It is no exaggeration, then, to claim that today, in the midst of all this whirlwind of the numbers of cases and the obsessions and calculations of our minds, the preservation and "service" of the Orthodox faith of our people not only has to offer but is essential. of importance. Even if we do not see it as Christian but only as a need to maintain the cohesive forces of our society, the retention and formation of our social fabric. Because, it is not just a matter of facilitating a simple desire and religious hypersensitivity, but a saving and saving act against the flame of fear and despair.
* George Kyprianou
Theologian - Teacher
President of the Cultural Association "ROMIOSYNI"