ROC rep explains why priests cannot be in self-isolation

The head of the Synodal Department of the Russian Orthodox Church for Relations of the Church with Society and Media Vladimir Legoyda. Photo: ria.ru

On March 27, 2020, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Synodal Department for Relations of the Church with Society and Media Vladimir Legoyda explained that priests re “spiritual doctors” who should remain on duty until the last, accepting those who come to them. He wrote about this on his Telegram channel.

“A priest is a spiritual doctor who, like a physical doctor, is obliged to accept those who come to him, no matter how much he wants to isolate himself. Many of the priests are over 65, but nobody will "free" them like doctors from pastoral duty. And like officers, they can’t be quarantined. Because the priest also takes the oath to serve God and people,” writes the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church.

According to him, priests, like doctors, will go to and already attend the home-based elderly and the infected in hospitals.

“The priest will always remain on the post. And he will serve and pray, including for those of us who, for health or other reasons, remain at home today, are in a hospital or are doing their duty in the public service or at a medical post. May God grant us all to overcome the infection that has come to us together, in love for each other and mutual assistance,” he wrote.

As reported by the UOJ, the Primate of the UOC has blessed all eparchies to participate in the fight against the pandemic.

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