HOLY WEEK AND THE CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS

Today is the first day of Holy Week of the Orthodox Church and every year most Greeks, even non-regular churchgoers, attend the services daily, in order to listen to the Gospels and to hear the hauntingly beautiful hymns.  But this year the churches are closed, and the devout must stay at home due to the coronavirus disease which is, unfortunately, killing so many people, worldwide, with terrible economic repercussions.  There is a 5-10% recession in the Eurozone countries, according to the press, and in the USA unemployment has reached the Great Depression numbers.


The latest alarming numbers registered by the John Hopkins University are 1.923.280 people infected by the coronavirus, 119.587 deaths and 443.886 recoveries, globally.  The numbers are changing by the hour, a nightmare that we could not have possibly imagined, even, three months ago.


We wish to express our admiration for the doctors and the nursing staff, of all the world, who are diligently and constantly trying to save their patients lives, while risking their own,  We thank them all very much indeed for their magnanimity and bravery. 
      

We are not allowed to leave our homes, because this is an important way to diminish the spread. We must not see our cherished families.  I read of a 45-old man who was dying of this disease and was, naturally, not allowed to bid farewell to his beloved wife and children in person.  The nurses lent him a cellphone and he told his family how very much he loved them, and how he had always wanted to watch his children growing up.  So many tragedies, a real Golgotha, so much pain and anguish, it is so terribly unfair.


Our heart goes out to all who are grieving for their loved ones, despite age or sex or wellbeing, because perfectly healthy, young people are also attacked by this terrible pandemic. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are sick, the victims and their families.


So, we shall have to celebrate Easter alone, without going to church, without lighting candles, without the company of our cherished family and dear friends. It will be a very sad Easter this year, unlike others which had always been joyful and heartwarming feasts, with groups of happy people enjoying each others company and the exquisite Easter delicacies.


Let us all be healthy, strong and optimistic, while craving and praying for better days to come.




(I wish to thank the international and local press, and the John Hopkins Univerisity for the important informatíon without which this post would not have been published)

A Wreath for our Savior 

Red Easter Eggs for our Families