The resolution of the chief sanitary doctor of the Kursk region, according to which it is recommended not to hold mass services in the premises, continues to operate. There will be no exceptions on the occasion of the approaching holiday of Christmas, a landmark for Orthodox believers
In fact, the situation repeats the one that was in the spring of last year on the eve of the celebration of Easter. Then, we recall, it was also not recommended to visit the temple, and the believers were asked to limit themselves to the preliminary consecration of Easter cakes, which takes place on the street, and at that time also with the observance of a social distance. However, although many Kurds feared that they would not be allowed into the temples, the doors were open to everyone. The only thing was that the parishioners were asked to stay out of the crowd whenever possible. In addition, then the representatives of the Diocese emphasized that in any case the service would take place, no one was planning to cancel it.
This time, on the pages of individual churches of the Kursk region in social networks, not only the schedules of festive services appeared, but also warnings that entry will be possible for believers only if they have respiratory protection. “In all churches of the Kursk diocese, statutory festive services will invariably be held in compliance with the necessary anti-epidemic security measures. There are no plans to restrict the access of believers to churches. You are kindly requested to enter the church for divine services in a mask,”Archpriest Sergiy Klintsov, head of the diocesan department for Church relations with society and the media, explained to our publication. A few days earlier, the Russian Orthodox Church had already turned to the elderly parishioners with a request to refuse a personal visit to the church on Christmas night. Representatives of Rospotrebnadzor strongly advise people who are part of the so-called "risk group" to protect themselves.
It is also said about the difficult test that fell to the lot of believers in the traditional Christmas Address of Metropolitan German of Kursk and Rylsk: “We went through a very difficult year 2020, in which we were visited by a new dangerous disease that took away many human lives all over the world. Each of us, probably, in a special way felt the fragility of human life, the unreliability of our plans, our weakness and limitations. But each of us also realized that in the past safe time of our life we did not thank God enough for all His good deeds: for health, for human communication, for the opportunity to breathe without masks, for the freedom to move and travel.
And now this ordeal continues due to our sins. Let us pray earnestly that the Lord will turn away His righteous anger and have mercy on us according to His great mercy, so that he heals the sick, strengthens doctors and all medical workers who selflessly work in very difficult conditions, saving lives and health of people. (…) Strengthening our spirit with faith and hope in the mercy of God, let us enter the new year with prayer and hope and ask that the Lord give us patience and strength and send us in the coming summer peaceful days, timely rains, fruitful dew, warmth, sunny and life sinless in health and longevity and gave us all His blessing."
Let us recall that, as in previous years, it will be possible to watch the broadcast of the festive divine service on TV. For those who nevertheless decide to attend the service in person, let us clarify that the All-night Vigil will begin in most of the Kursk churches at 17:00 on January 6. And already from midnight on January 7, the Night Divine Liturgy will be served.
