The old and the young flood the church premises for Orthodox Easter celebrations in thousands every year. But that is out of the question this Easter following the latest government restrictions because of the coronavirus epidemic concerns.
Churches are closed for the public except for funerals and weddings under strict new rules that mandate no more than 10 people gathering for funeral services and five for wedding ceremonies.
Reverend Vlado Nedeski is a priest at the Macedonian Orthodox church ‘St Petka’ in Rockdale, the Sydney suburb with the highest concentration of Macedonian Australians.
He has informed his parishioners that the church has gone online to provide liturgies and other services in view of the government directives limiting gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Supplied by Danyal Syed
“We got these instructions from our Metropolitan Timothy, the Head of the Australian Sydney Diocese, to follow the state’s health officials’ directives,” he told SBS Macedonian.
Some Macedonian churches and monasteries in the priest’s ancestral hometown have already started to take advantage of the digital alternative and are broadcasting Divine Liturgy on social media and their own YouTube channels.
However, Rev. Nedeski who is no stranger himself to social media and regularly writes posts religious information on his church’s Facebook page, says online or virtual services cannot be a substitute for real liturgies.
Reverend Vlado Nedeski, his wife Daniela (second left) and his regular parisioners at the Macedonian Orthodox Church ‘Saint Petka’ in Sydney. Source: Supplied by Danyal Syed
“Easter is coming soon. Under those restrictions, it is impossible to conduct a Divine Liturgy and the God’s order we need to guard, now is discontinued," says the Macedonian Orthodox priest questioning the government's decision to allow "places of beauty (barber shops) to remain open but slam the doors of the churches tightly shut".
He is also concerned that thousands of churchgoers, particularly elderly who don't have internet connectivity and don't use modern technology will miss out on Easter service.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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