In the midst of many reactions and discussions about the role and attitude of the Church during the pandemic of the coronavirus, the Monastery of Esfigmenos on Mount Athos, through the mouth of Professor Bartholomew, took a stand on the subject of Pandemic and Doxology.
The following is the announcement:
The current period, due to the pandemic and the restriction of movement, has increased the sadness, stress and, consequently, the psychological problems of many people.
Many find it difficult to adjust to the changes of daily life; they find it difficult to persevere, they despair, their nerves get worse. They deny reality, to avoid the stress of situations they can not control, as well as the fear of illness and death.
As it is known to all Christians, after the fall of the protoplasts from Paradise, decay and death have entered Creation. Man is called to strive for his survival, to be nourished and to face the various challenges to his health. We expect renewal and restoration of the world after the Second Coming of the Lord. Plagues are something known to the faithful, as in every Divine Liturgy he prays to God "for his protection to be protected from plague, famine, earthquake, drowning, fire".
Plagues have always existed from time to time, since the time of Pericles in ancient Athens; the last plague occurred about a century ago ("Spanish flu"). Plagues were often accompanied by several deaths and problems in societies. People were familiar with death; life expectancy was 40 years; wars, famines and diseases were reaping. But people used to say "Glory to God" and "God first".
From the middle of the last century, with the vertical rise in living standards, general comfort and doubling of life expectancy, man thought he was almost immortal. Out of great comfort he forgot to praise God, as he felt that he no longer needed Him; he forgot what death, war and hardship meant.
Away from God, man raises his hands in the first hardship he encounters, has no mood for struggle, despairs, melancholy and behaves destructively, magnifying every problem, instead of caring about how to deal with it.
In the past, people did not know why they died of disease, as they did not know about the existence of viruses and germs. Treatments were either delayed or non-existent, decimating much of the population. "Staying home" meant isolation and cessation of all activities.
On the contrary, today there is much more knowledge, means of treatment, but also means of facilitating the treatment of the whole situation. There is e.g. plenty of masks and antiseptics. Numerous drugs and vaccines are being developed in record time. New technologies help in the faster development and distribution of therapeutic agents.
Most people have a device connected to the internet; they can communicate with everyone from home, learn everything, be educated, and many can work from home.
For the first time humanity has so much media and so much knowledge at its disposal!
For the first time, vaccines are being developed so fast thanks to the development of technology and the collaboration of many scientists from all over the world!
For the first time from home we can do so much!
In addition, we can leave the house for any need. We can go out for exercise.
There are definitely problems and deprivations. But in relation to every previous plague, while we have almost everything, we want more; we want to be deprived of nothing, our habits and our amusements, while we are going through a period that looks like war.
Instead of exercising a little patience, instead of praising God, we become anxious, grumble, and do not take the necessary measures, resulting in an increase in cases and a worsening of the situation. Instead of wearing a mask, we throw it away. Instead of thanking God for the rapid development of vaccines, we swear, blame and refuse to be vaccinated in advance.
Later, if death comes within our own family, will we blame God "for allowing such evil to happen in the world"? In fact, when modern epidemics are largely due to the reckless exploitation of the environment, while God has entrusted us with the world to be good housekeepers? When is the current epidemic still spreading, because of our pride and recklessness? The more we react to reality, the more gloomy it becomes to our detriment.
Instead of using the internet to educate and communicate in love, supporting each other psychologically, we use it to increase our narcissistic greed, arrogance, reproach. Instead of using it for love and knowledge, we misuse it to transmit darkness and hatred.
If a person from the past was resurrected and saw how we deal with the situation, despite the plethora of media, he would be puzzled with us and wonder how it is possible to be so ungrateful!
So let us all praise God for all the supplies He gives us and let us stop creating problems around us with our whining and our individualism!
Let us be patient, let us all try for a while longer, until this test is passed. Our patience in critical moments reveals how much we trust God! Let us prove that we have respect and care for our fellow man!
Praise to God strengthens our struggle, gives us courage and clears our minds, so that we can find a faster solution to our various problems.
Thank God they always did!
+ arch. Bartholomew
Professor JM of Esfigmenos
* Photo from the previous pandemic in the early 20th century ".