Damascus, March 16, 2020 Since the beginning of this year, the world has been subjected to one of the most difficult temptations and health trials, inflicted by the spread of the COVID-19 (Corona) virus, which is sweeping over most countries, infecting tens of thousands of people and killing thousands of them. Our Antiochian Church co-shares…

  The Orthodoxia news agency, in line with public health guidelines and measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, is strictly following all directives and recommendations. All of the journalists, technicians and associates of the Orthodoxia news agency, and the online magazine Pemptousia, with faith in God and the Church’s sacraments, and with trust…

  The Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece convened today and was announced additional measures to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak in the country, after the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos spoke by phone over the weekend with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The latter requested that the Church of…

  The Israeli government on Sunday announced even stricter measures to curb possible exposure to the coronavirus, as restaurants, malls, cafes, sporting venues and most other public places were ordered closed. Israeli media also said authorities are in discussions with the representatives of major Churches in order to examine all possible plans concerning the Holy…

  The Archbishop of Australia, His Eminence Makarios, issued an encyclical, where he called on the faithful to strictly follow guidelines and directions issued by public health officials regarding the global coronavirus outbreak. Among others, His Eminence stresses that “…Since many Christians are asking if the virus is transmitted through Holy Communion, I responsibly assure…

  The Metropolitan Bishop of Montenegro and the Littoral, His Eminence Amphilochios, this week reiterated that the Orthodox Church has, for the last 2,000 years, clashed with all types of viruses that cause sin and death. In statements to Russian media, His Eminence referred directly to both the coronavirus outbreak, as well as to the…

  The Romanian Orthodox Church has offered monasteries and nunneries under its jurisdiction at the disposal of authorities in order to shelter people in need. The historic Neamts Monastery in northeast Romania has already allocated space in order to accommodate 40 people.

  The Church today venerates the memory of Christodulus, the Wonderworker of Patmos. In the 11th century St. Christodulus built on the island of Patmos a church and monastery named in honor of Saint John the Evangelist.

MAKARIOS by God’s mercy, Archbishop of the Most Holy Archdiocese of Australia, Primate and Exarch of All Oceania, to the God-loving Bishops, the gracious clergy and monastic brotherhoods, and to all the Christ-loving plenitude of the Orthodox Church in Australia, grace and peace from our Saviour Jesus Christ. Venerable Brother fellow Bishops and my beloved…