 |
| An Epitphios |
Today, Orthodox Christians all over the world, commemorate the
culmination of the divine drama, a day of mourning and profound grief.
In Greece, the icon of the body of our Lord is taken off the Cross,
wrapped in a linen cloth and placed on the Epitaph, which symbolises a bier, then,
young girls, with care and devotion, decorate it, beautifully, with aromatic spring flowers.
Good Friday is a day of mourning, severe fasting and deep contemplation. So let us take an Easter resolution to become kinder human beings, hardworking, thoughtful and generous.
But this year, we shall, unfortunately, not follow the Epitaph, due to the coronavirus which is extremely contagious. The churches are locked tight, with the total agreement of the hierarchy of the Orthodox Church. We must, also, stay strictly at home to prevent the spread of this mortal disease. Most of the residents of Greece obey the doctors' plea for utter isolatíon, but a few do not agree and go to church to pray or wish to drive far from their homes, during Easter, which is also forbidden, due to these unprecedented circumstances. There are 300 euro fines and removal of the car plates of the offenders for three months. Strict but fair deprivations.
It is the first time in history that the whole world is under lockdown due to a pandemic. Only during world wars, did lockdowns occur. Throughout the 17th century, the Black Death left thousands of dead in Europe, about 30-60 % of the continent's population, because people, then, circulated freely spreading and contacting this very serious illness.
But this year, we shall, unfortunately, not follow the Epitaph, due to the coronavirus which is extremely contagious. The churches are locked tight, with the total agreement of the hierarchy of the Orthodox Church. We must, also, stay strictly at home to prevent the spread of this mortal disease. Most of the residents of Greece obey the doctors' plea for utter isolatíon, but a few do not agree and go to church to pray or wish to drive far from their homes, during Easter, which is also forbidden, due to these unprecedented circumstances. There are 300 euro fines and removal of the car plates of the offenders for three months. Strict but fair deprivations.
It is the first time in history that the whole world is under lockdown due to a pandemic. Only during world wars, did lockdowns occur. Throughout the 17th century, the Black Death left thousands of dead in Europe, about 30-60 % of the continent's population, because people, then, circulated freely spreading and contacting this very serious illness.
 |
| Let us Stay at Home |
No comments:
Post a Comment