{"id":274499,"date":"2020-03-19T12:23:51","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T10:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=274499"},"modified":"2020-03-19T12:32:47","modified_gmt":"2020-03-19T10:32:47","slug":"metropolitan-teofan-it-is-time-to-seek-refuge-in-the-privacy-of-our-homes-until-the-wrath-of-this-plague-is-past","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arhiva.basilica.ro\/en\/metropolitan-teofan-it-is-time-to-seek-refuge-in-the-privacy-of-our-homes-until-the-wrath-of-this-plague-is-past\/","title":{"rendered":"Metropolitan Teofan: It is time to seek refuge in the privacy of our homes, until the wrath of this plague is past"},"content":{"rendered":"

While Romania instated state of emergency on Monday to contain the coronavirus epidemic, Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina sent a video encouraging message urging for prayer and calm which gathered more than 600,000 views on Facebook.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The metropolitan quotes God\u2019s words given to prophet Isaiah 26:20:<\/p>\n

\u201cGo, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cIt is time to seek shelter for a moment \u2013 or a while \u2013 in the privacy of our homes, until the wrath of this plague is past\u201d, said the metropolitan of Moldavia and Bukovina.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is the right time to grasp the importance of the Divine Liturgy in our lives and the life of the world\u201d, he added, referring to the authorities\u2019 requirements that religious services be held in the open air and only with a small attendance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a time of grief, of longing, hoping and waiting for the moment when the Divine Liturgy may be held again under proper circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also suggested that body illness is sometimes the consequence of spiritual illness: \u201cIt is a time of repentance for the exceedingly many and heavy sins, be they committed by the bishops, the priests, the monastics, or the Church\u2019s people\u201d, Metropolitan Teofan said.<\/p>\n

He urged prayer for those involved in taking care of the sick and asked Romanians to \u201cshare in the pain of those who are sick and of their families, through prayer and material aid.\u201d<\/p>\n

He advised people to let themselves in the hands of God: \u201cIt is time to faithfully confess that \u02bbMy hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my shelter is the Holy Spirit\u02bc\u201d.<\/p>\n

At the same time, quoting the prophet Isaiah, he said that Romanians also need to remain in self-imposed isolation for a while: \u201c\u02bbGo, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by\u02bc. May God forgive us and keep us in His care\u201d, he concluded.<\/p>\n