Holy Synod of UOC: Temples are opened and all divine services held in them

Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, a meeting of the Holy Synod of UOC on March 18, 2020. Photo: UOC

The Holy Synod of UOC, which met on March 18, 2020, at the Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, discussed church life in the context of the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 and stated that today the temples of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church remain open and all services are held in them. This was reported on the official page of the UOC on Facebook.

Under the threat of the spread of coronavirus in Ukraine, the Synod adopted the following decisions:

1. Due to the state-introduced restrictions on the number of people (up to 10 persons) that can be present in a temple simultaneously, churches should be constantly open to believers;
2. If more than 10 people came to the worship, it must be held near the church, in the open air, where parishioners can be at a distance from each other that is acceptable according to sanitary and epidemiological standards;
3. If necessary, believers are allowed to participate in the Confession and Communion Sacraments in small groups in temples throughout the day;
4.  A communion drink after the Holy Communion must be served in disposable cups;
5. The icons which are revered through kissing by the congregation must be constantly cleaned with disinfectants, churches and temple rooms need wet cleaning and airing more often than usually;
6. Those who feel the symptoms of an infectious disease must refrain from attending services and if they feel unwell, they must consult a doctor.

The Holy Synod also resolved to:

1. Emphasize the need to remain calm and not give in to panic;
2. Call the clergy, monastics and laity for fervent prayer;
3. Approve the text of prayer and litany requests;
4. State that, as of today, churches are open and all divine services are performed in them. To consider it appropriate to perform prayers during the quarantine period with holy water sprinkling and bell ringing;
5. Be attentive to the decisions and recommendations of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and state authorities regarding anti-epidemic measures and restrictions;
6. If the situation with the spread of coronavirus infection worsens, which will require additional restrictions, the diocesan bishops shall coordinate their decisions with the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church;
7. To publish an Address in connection with the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.

The Address of the Holy Synod of UOC to the people of Ukraine in connection with the threat of the coronavirus epidemic, adopted at the meeting on March 18, will be made public on Sunday, March 22, 2020, in all churches and monasteries of the UOC.

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