The Syriac Church in Qamishli takes precautionary measures to prevent coronavirus

Qamishli – North-Press Agency
Reem Chamoun – Charbel Henou

The Syriac Orthodox Church in Qamishli began implementing several decisions regarding the establishment of prayers and religious rituals in the church this week, in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

Last Sunday, during the prayer of the Divine Liturgy, the Fathers Priests in al-Jazira region read a statement issued by the Patriarchate of Antioch and the rest of the East for the Orthodox Syriacs regarding precautionary measures against the coronavirus.

Father Saliba Abdullah, the priest of Virgin Mary Church of the Syriac Orthodox in the city of Qamishli, told North-Press that the statement came at the appropriate time to combat the spread of the virus, which reached the rank of a global epidemic after its outbreak in neighboring countries and most of the world and forced people to change many habits in their daily lives.

He added that the instructions stated in the statement are "to keep the churches open to believers unless this is opposed to measures taken by governments and dispense handshaking. We advise those who have pathological symptoms to stay at home, and they can invite us to pray for them."

He also said that the church is committed to decisions of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, which stipulate the prevention of gatherings and all social relations to prevent the virus.

Last Thursday, the Autonomous Administration issued a decision to suspend all schools, institutes, and universities to prevent the spread of the virus. The Administration canceled all gatherings in the region, and it also prevented anyone from entering the region via the land crossings except for the residents of northeastern Syria.