Tbilisi, February 4, 2020
Photo: 1tv.ge
The coronavirus is another test, designed to strengthen our faith, His Holiness Patriarch-Catholicos Ilia II of Georgia told his flock during his Sunday homily at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.
“You know that a new virus has appeared. Many people are scared because of the virus. Some have called it a ‘deadly virus,’” he said.
But, “All of this is to strengthen our faith and increase our prayers,” the revered Georgian primate emphasized, reports Georgia Online.
All the Georgian faithful are blessed “sprinkle holy water on doors, yards, and children every morning and every evening,” the Patriarch added.
In a similar vein, His Eminence Metropolitan Luke of Zaporozhye of the Ukrainian Church recently said that, “The Lord can control everything. He can protect us from any trouble. And if there is a lack of faith or fear—go to church for comfort and strengthening in the faith.”
According to the World Health Organization, there are currently more than 130 cases of coronavirus infection in 23 countries around the world. According to the authorities of China, where an outbreak of pneumonia was caused by the new virus, there are more than 14,000 cases of the disease, and 305 people have died.
No cases have yet been recorded in Georgia, and flights from China have been temporarily suspended as a preventative measure.
Molebens for protection against the virus are being served weekly in the representation church of the Chinese Autonomous Church in Moscow.
