May 19, 2021

Holy Hieromartyr Patrick, Bishop of Proussa

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.” (John 20:19-20)

Χριστός Ανέστη!  Christ is Risen!

Following his glorious Resurrection from the dead, Christ appeared multiple times to his disciples, who repeatedly had a difficult time understanding what they experienced in him.  He came to them bearing the marks of his suffering, but they had been transformed from life-destroying to life-giving.  Only with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost did they begin to understand what his Passion meant and had accomplished, and how his self-sacrifice was necessary for the life of the world. 

The past year has seen much suffering, frustration, confusion, anger, and pain.  Some of us have lost loved ones; some of us were radically diminished by the illness; some of us lost our jobs; many of us missed major life milestones; and all of us have been affected by the restrictions on communal gatherings.  But we've also done much to practice our life-affirming commitment to, in the words of the Holy Apostle Paul, "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal 6:2).  Our first responders and medical workers have ministered wholeheartedly and heroically.  And, by God's grace, our own sacrifices have enabled us to minimize the deleterious effects of the pandemic among us.

In recent weeks, the reduction in the rate of spread resulting from our masking and distancing, and especially from the availability of safe and effective vaccines and the hard work done by those in the medical and public health communities, has brought us to a point where resumption of activity in our previously accustomed way is possible.  This is reflected in the updated guidelines of the CDC and the adjusted policy guidelines of the boards of health of the respective states within our Metropolis.

Therefore, in accordance with the new recommendations of the CDC, and in step with the policies as they have been promulgated by the respective States,

1. The requirement to wear masks and observe physical distancing within our worship space and at Church events and meetings is lifted for those who have been vaccinated.  As we cannot (and will not) be asking people to demonstrate their vaccinated status for entry into the Church, we must operate on the honor system, trusting that people will be responsible when entering our parishes and participating in parish events.  We implore those who are not vaccinated to remain masked and observe distancing in enclosed public spaces (Churches, halls, etc.) per the current CDC guidelines, and we continue to encourage everyone to consult with their physician regarding receiving vaccination.

2. Just as we implored Christian behavior in the implementation of the policy, we do so now for those who choose to continue to mask and observe distancing within the Churches.  Those who are not vaccinated yet, who are immunocompromised or who cannot be vaccinated but wish to attend in-person services, should be respected and welcomed.

3. All parish communities must provide adequate space for those who need to continue to be masked and observe physical distancing. 

4. If any pandemic-related restrictions remain in your county or state regarding non-worship activities, those restrictions must be observed.

We ask you to continue to pray fervently for those who are affected by the coronavirus: those who have fallen asleep in the Lord, the sick, medical workers, and unemployed.  Each of our parishes will include those who have died during the pandemic – victims, medical workers, and first responders – in their Memorial Day weekend remembrances.

We must also commit to not merely "go back to the way things were," but to move forward with a more healthy approach to our life as Christian Church communities.  Our year of suffering has left us with scars to be healed, but we also rediscovered essential parts of our praxis as a Church community, and like the Apostles we must see in the scars the sacrifice which was necessary for our salvation.  During the pandemic, many communities and families focused on the following priorities which should now be even further developed in the months and years to come:

• Attention to the poor, hungry, homeless, jobless, and needy in our communities. 
• Outreach to the widowed, shut-in, ill, and otherwise socially isolated persons. 
• Attention to prayer & scripture reading in the home. 
• Reliance on voluntary donations (Stewardship) to the parish, instead of fundraisers (festivals and catering). 

Let us strive to be authentic ministers of peace to a wounded world, embodying the Grace of the Holy Spirit and our experience of the pandemic to witness to the life-giving power of Christ's Resurrection.

With Archpastoral blessings and love in the Risen Lord,

+ SAVAS

Metropolitan of Pittsburgh

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