Concerning Coronavirus and Against Church Closures

With great joy have we received the encyclical of my brother, Metropolitan Angelos of Greece, outlining the prayerful position of our Sister Greek Metropolia.  We endorse his teaching that we must maintain the operations of our Churches even in the face of opposition from local secular governments.  Let us not refrain from understanding the example given by the many martyrs of our Holy Orthodox Faith that suffered the opprobrium of secular authorities as they lived their lives bearing the burden of Our Holy Orthodox Faith and then gave their lives as a witness unto us of the awesome presence of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in our Holy Mysteries.  As for my brother, Metropolitan Angelos, may God grant him many years.
                                                                  

His Beatitude, Metropolitan John, First Hierarch of the Holy Synod