Syriac Patriarch Mar Ignatius Joseph III Yonan sends a message to his faithful

Beirut – Syriac Catholic Patriarch Mar Ignatius Ephrem Joseph III sent a global message to his faithful and parishes regarding the preventive coronavirus measures for Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter. Holy Liturgies will be limited to priests and deacons only taking into consideration social distancing. Worshippers are not allowed to attend and are advised to stay at home.

As for all prayers including Palm Sunday prayer to Good Friday prayers in the preceding week to Easter, these too are limited to priests and deacons. Greetings, kisses and hand shaking are also prevented on Easter. It is highly recommended to only extend Easter congratulations via telephone conversations and social media.

At the end of his message the Patriarch called for patience and courage until we have overcome the spread of COVID-19.

The Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church of Babylon also issued similar directives in his message “Necessary Providences for Celebrating the Holy Week, in the Light of the Threat of Coronavirus to Human Lives.” The Chaldean Patriarch holds daily online prayers via Facebook to attend to the religious needs of the faithful who obliged or strongly encouraged to stay safe at home.