Instructions to Dioceses and Parishes in India regarding Covid-19/Coronavirus

The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, called on the nation to show ‘resolve’ and ‘restraint’ as we together face the menace of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

In light of the speech, I would like to reiterate the fact that we stand together with the Prime Minister and the citizens of the country and are determined to do all we can to keep ourselves and our country safe.

Heeding to the call of the ‘janata curfew’ on Sunday the 22nd, I have instructed via voice message to all our Episcopas and parishes in India that all our Sunday services/Divine Liturgies stand cancelled all across the country. We must also avoid house visiting and prayer meetings unless it is an absolute emergency.

Seminaries have been already instructed to be closed and should not be functioning. We as a church are committed to follow the instructions given by the central and the respective state governments from time to time without fail.

Above and beyond our duty to stand together at this time of crisis, I call upon all of you my brothers and sisters, to continue to pray to the Almighty to show mercy upon our land and the world.

(Further instructions for the church globally will be communicated soon.)

Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan I Metropolitan