A spiritual reflection on the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
May the bright Light of the Risen Lord heal the wounds of coronavirus!
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you (John 20:19).
The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been spreading rapidly across the world and causing a large number of deaths. In view of the evolving risks from the infectious disease, human beings cannot remain unaffected by this global pandemic. An emergency has been declared in the hospitals and lock down everywhere. There is fear and trauma in the world. The economists, journalists and politicians are analyzing the financial impact of the pandemic on global trade. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will leave a long lasting impact on international politics and I believe that when the corona crisis will be over, it may change everything such as world trade, bilateral relations and foreign policy.
In this global crisis, I was contemplating on the First Holy Bright Pascha, when the Risen Lord after His Resurrection appeared to the Holy Apostles, we read in the Holy Scripture that the doors were locked for fear of the Jews. It was Holy Bright Pascha evening, the first day of the week, the day of the Resurrection and Jesus stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you!
In this covid-19 we are locked down, the holy hierarchy of Russian Orthodox Church very positively instructed the Orthodox Believers all over the world to follow the instructions of doctors, specialists and abide by the law of their respective governments. So this is the time that we must experience the Holy and Bright Pascha of the first Church in the Quarantine and let the Risen Lord appeared in our families in our locked rooms.
In coronavirus, there is lockdown and human beings are stopped at one station, so it is a time to think about our lives, what we want and where we are going... We are closed in our rooms and it is good, because we have to rebuild our spiritual relation with God our Heavenly Father. Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything has given us the chance to say the fervent prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos, holy angels and all the saints and cry for the mercy of God on earth.
Coronavirus is a major "milestone:" and do not be panicked when the doors are locked, please be silent and reflect. It is a bridge between our past and our future and we must think about our relationships being husband and wife, being parents to our children and being children. We cannot escape from ourselves!
The Solemnity of Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and the Green Braches of the Olive Tree and Palm Tree are strengthening our Orthodox Faith to move ahead towards our journey to Heaven. The beauty of Orthodox traditions to begin the spiritual preparation for Holy Pascha with Great Lent and holy fasting; The Holy Orthodox Church teaches us the practicality of forgiveness, repentance and our day to day spiritual journey with our Savior, the Risen Lord Jesus.
May the peace of Christ be with you and your families at this unprecedented time in our generation!
God's mercy be upon you and yours.
