Holy Synod: Message to all the faithful - "Yes to vaccination, listen to Science"

A circular was sent by the Permanent Holy Synod to all the temples for reading on Sunday, during the Divine Liturgy

iera synodos minyma pros oloys toys pistoys nai ston emvoliasmo na akoyte tin epistimi CIRCULAR, inoculation, Holy Synod

A circular was sent by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece to all the Holy Metropolises on the subject: "Church and science in the fight against the pandemic", which is expected to be read to the faithful next Sunday, July 25.

Message to all believers

In the relevant circular, the Holy Synod emphasizes the necessity of medical science, as the Lord himself said "when the body is sick, there is a need for the help of doctors".

The message from the Holy Synod

"Dear children,

The most perfect creation of God is man, who was created to live forever. Selfishness led man to fall, and the fall resulted in sickness and death.

Our Creator, in order to alleviate the suffering of people from diseases, gave us medical science and medicines. In the Old Testament, the Prophet Isaiah, with the help of medicine at the time, healed Hezekiah.

In the New Testament, on the other hand, our Lord Himself emphasizes the necessity of medical science, saying: "We need not the physicians who are valid, but those who are ill" (Matt. 9:12), which means that when the body is sick, there is need for medical assistance.

Saint Nektarios also, shortly before his death, unable to bear the pains of his illness, sought medical care at Aretaio Hospital, where he died.

But also St. Luke the Physician, a pioneer in medical scientific achievements, gave and continues after his sleep to give, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to people the health of the body, but also of the soul.

In our time, Saint Porphyrios became the pre-eminent Saint of the Nursing Institutions and, knowing as much as anyone else the pain of the patients, he asked the people to pray for the enlightenment of the doctors and when the disease visits them to turn to them for help. .

"Vaccine is a gift from God"

Even today, the Church trusts the scientific community of physicians, which fights day and night to rid people of the deadly pandemic.

With the enlightenment of God and the painstaking effort of scientific researchers, humanity now has the vaccine at its disposal, which is capable of building a wall in the spread of the pandemic.

The hope has risen for a return to normalcy, but, above all, for the unhindered participation in the Divine Mysteries of our Church, culminating in the Communion of all of us during the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, knowing that vaccination is a maximum act of responsibility towards fellow human beings, recommends to everyone, in consultation with their doctor, to use this gift that God has given us, in order to protect ourselves, but and every man "died for Christ" (Rom. 14:15).

And he genuinely wants to assure that this vaccine does not come in any contradiction with the Hagiographic, Patriarchal and Canonical teaching of our Holy Church.

Fear of anything unprecedented often provokes reactions or suspicion, often leading to confusing and divisive voices.

This, however, contradicts the request of our Lord, during His Hierarchical Prayer, "that all may be comforted" (John 17:21).

In this difficult time we need faith, prudence, humility, high sense of responsibility, solidarity, love for God and neighbor because if they disappear, fear takes over the hearts of people and according to the Prophet David "there they feared, oh fear ”(Ps. 13: 5).

"Yes to vaccination, listen to Science"

Dear children,

We invite you to listen to the voice of science and experts, who always with a high sense of responsibility inform the citizens, proposing appropriate solutions adapted to address the difficulties that arise each time.

Many times, on social media, views are constantly projected, which lack scientificity, but also ecclesiastical spirit.

That is why we draw attention, recalling the words of the Evangelist of Love St. John the Theologian "do not believe in every spirit, but test the spirits if they are from God" (John 4: 1, XNUMX).

Our children,

We call on everyone to a prayer army, which is also the pre-eminent weapon of Christians, so that together with the observance of medical instructions and with the help of scientific achievements, the pandemic and the smell of death from humanity disappear and all united to glorify the Leader of our Faith, Jesus Christ, Who came into this world "to have life and to have more" (John 10:10).

After the love in the Lord and many paternal wishes.

† Athens IERONYMOS, President
† Iakovos of Mytilene, Eressos and Plomari
Ουμε Dimitrios Goumenissis, Axioupoleos and Polykastro
† Veria, Naoussa and Campania Panteleimon
† The Didymoteicho, Orestiados and Soufli Damaskinos
Δ Andreas of Dryinoupoleos, Pogonianis and Konitsis
† Xanthi and Peritheoriou Panteleimon
† Artis Kallinikos
† O Iliou, Acharnon and Petroupoleos Athenagoras
† Zakynthos Dionysios
† Cyril of Kifissia, Maroussi and Oropos
Ας Gabriel of Nea Ionia, Philadelphia, Heraklion and Chalcedon
† Glyfada, Elliniko, Voula, Vouliagmeni and Varis Antonios
The Chief Secretary
† Oreon Philotheos

Exact Copy
The Chief Secretary

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