[viagbloggerz]

Hello,

I'd like to request your opinion on an obstacle that i have about visiting an Orthodox Christian Church. You see I have health concerns in regards to catching the H1N1 virus by going to Church. I fear that being in a closed room with many people, I will breath air that may have airborne H1N1 virus, or that I will be forced to shake hands, kiss perhaps, or though Icons that everyone else has kissed or touched.

I would love to wear a carbon air mask, but I am afraid i will insult others or may even frighten them.. same with wearing gloves.

I never been to an Orthodox Christian Church, So i do not know how casual or accommodating the Church is.

Do any of you have any suggestions for me?
thanks for your thoughts.

[traiffhetl]

One thing that we should all look at is the issue of sobriety.

In this area of North America more people have died as a result of flying golf balls and pigeons falling out of trees than from Swine Flu. And yet reports would lead one to think that there is another round of bubonic plague occurring or about to occur.

If there is one thing we should have learned from all of the 'sure predictions' of catastrophe from the past few years: there is always a mysterious element to such things as disease that is beyond our ability to fully understand or predict. Even when such things have occurred in the past we still do not know why they suddenly began nor why they suddenly disappeared.

Life in any form is not so fully predictable.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[bromgeksan]

Hello,

I'd like to request your opinion on an obstacle that i have about visiting an Orthodox Christian Church. You see I have health concerns in regards to catching the H1N1 virus by going to Church. I fear that being in a closed room with many people, I will breath air that may have airborne H1N1 virus, or that I will be forced to shake hands, kiss perhaps, or though Icons that everyone else has kissed or touched.

I would love to wear a carbon air mask, but I am afraid i will insult others or may even frighten them.. same with wearing gloves.

I never been to an Orthodox Christian Church, So i do not know how casual or accommodating the Church is.

Do any of you have any suggestions for me?
thanks for your thoughts.

Wash your hand frequently. Get flu shots when they are available. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy immune system. But even more important than that, trust God. Know that nothing happens without His knowledge and that all things work for good for those who seek the Lord, even the bad things.

And always remember "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Oh and did I mention wash your hands frequently?

Herman the Pooh

[RerRoktoido]

I don't mean to sound insensitive - however, I know that these words can be interpreted in that way by some. Please don't dismiss them out of hand but give them whatever consideration you can.

Trust God. You either believe that God is all powerful and that He loves and cares for you and that nothing can affect you without His permission - or your don't. Especially within the confines of the Church there is absolutely nothing that can harm you. If something that the world perceives as "bad" does happen (like catching the flu - or even if you die) then be sure that this is given by God to you to be used for your salvation. God is better than any "carbon air mask" or latex gloves or whatever else. Put your trust in God, not in princes and the sons of men.

If you trust God then nothing can harm you (although you may experience "discomfort" or "inconvenience" in this life). If you don't trust God then your life will be filled with fear and nothing can help.

Fr David Moser

[JesikaFlpk]

I never been to an Orthodox Christian Church, So i do not know how casual or accommodating the Church is.

Do any of you have any suggestions for me?
thanks for your thoughts.

Dear Mr. Alexander,

As a physician, I can assure you that the H1N1 flu scare is much more media sensationalism than it is dangerous. In fact, I firmly believe more people will be harmed due to the frenzy the media is making of this viral infection than from the virus itself (at least, from the perspective I have working from within an emergency department). As an aside, I contracted it a few months ago and am here to tell you not to lose sleep over it.

As for visiting an Orthodox Church, 'come and see'. If you choose not to kiss the icons, than do not kiss them. If you choose to avoid close human contact, I do not believe this will be so difficult to do. Come simply as an observer. The Church is very accommodating and already has it's large share of hypochondriacs!

Lastly, I would echo Father David's words. Trust in God. Rest assured that the Orthodox Temple is sanctified space.

In Christ,
Antonios

[Qesomud]

This may not cut much ice with you, coming from a non-Orthodox, but my vicar reminded us, 'Christ touched the leper'. (He thought it was un-Christian to consider restricting our access to the Church and to Christ for fear of contamination.)

Washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough/sneeze is good advice, obviously, but there can be too much concern really.

Stay healthy! God bless.

[TeftyJokip]

Be sure that everyone will die the day that is written in the book of life, and also the way it is written there.

To take care for your place after the event of dying, be sure to visit an orthodox church, repent your sins and change your life according to the Gospel and the teachings of the Fathers.

Do not worry about any diseases, only the disease of the soul should be of any consideration.

Wishing you the best, Nicolaj

[Zenthachall]

Metropolitan Nikitas when he was in based in HK once said in a sermon that we Orthodox Christians shouldn't be worried about all these viruses at all since we have the Holy Communion which is the Body and Blood of Christ and is more powerful than any diseases.

Also an article

http://www.oodegr.com/english/koinwn...Sacraments.htm

Besides St Basil the Great washed and cleaned Lepers on a regular basis and wasnt concerned about his own health.

[RLRWai4B]

Orthodox Christians have been kissing the same icons and communing from the same spoon for thousands of years, and yet rates of disease are no higher amongst Orthodox Christians. Actually, there are many ascetics who, doing all these things, eating very little, and sleeping little live to advanced old age in perfect health.

[imporesweemo]

Another example of someone who was not affected by "contagious" diseases is Mother Gavriella ... she is an excellent example of a contemporary and modern personality that we can identify with. She spent the majority of her missionary life being in contact with the "lepers" of India .. and as she testifies in her book, never herself caught lepresy - although it was her job to give the lepers massages (so she physically touched them)!

To me ... that is a miracle! That shows that when our heart is in the right place and we are working in love and fear of God .. no harm can come to us .... who ever heard of a missionary working amongst lepers for such a long period of time and NOT becoming contagious with the disease? Forgive me if I am wrong ... I think, however, she was protected by the grace of God.

Try and overcome your phobia ... perhaps start by standing at the door of the church - close to fresh air and with time ... try and move in to the church and so on and so forth? God will give you strength ... be sure to go with someone who will "strengthen and support" you!!

Much love in Christ.
vasiliki