Further Guidance on limiting our attention to the Coronavirus

Dear Parish Faithful,

Here is a helpful "follow through" based on what I wrote earlier this morning, yet said much more emphatically! Sounds like excellent spiritual advice. What the bishop says is reinforced by the World Health Organization.

Fr. Steven

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Bishop Luke’s Directive to the Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary and the wider Jordanville community:


https://jordanville.org/news_200328_1


Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ members of the Holy Trinity Monastery community!


Greetings in the Lord!

It has come to my attention that many are suffering from some form of stress induced psychosis as a result of the recent epidemic. This is characterized by continual worry, nervousness, anxiety, faintheartedness, panic etc. One of the causes for this spiritual malady is an obsession with news concerning the epidemic. This is confirmed by the world mental health organization, "The World Health Organization has a recommendation for mental health: only check the news once or twice a day."

I am issuing a directive to all members of our Holy Trinity community to limit themselves to no more than 15 minutes a day informing themselves about the epidemic.

The Lord commands,"Let not your heart be troubled..." We create our own spiritual problems by our obsession with these issues which do little positive towards our hope for salvation.

As true Orthodox Christians preparing for eternity, spend the extra time in heartfelt prayer, spiritual reading and other good works!

Love in Christ,

+ Bishop Luke

Abbot, Holy Trinity Monastery,
Bishop of Syracuse (ROCOR)