Thoughts on Resiliency and Disease

Thoughts on Resiliency and Disease (prepared for and shared with the 195th Wing CAANG)

Regardless of our philosophies, theologies, or expression of spirituality, health remains a pursuit. Even in the Air Force, we’ve developed a holistic approach to maintaining our fitness and resiliency. The intent of Comprehensive Airman Fitness (CAF) is to ensure that our Airmen are holistically fit, that is, mentally, spiritually, physically, and socially healthy. Logically, if we are healthy, then we are better equipped to deal with not only the rigors of the military, but also the greater adversities of life.

As news of the spread of the novel coronavirus (now referred to as COVID-19) has continued even into our area, many of us have become all the more anxious about our wellbeing. The American Psychological Association (8 Oct 2018), wrote an informative piece titled “Resilience and Disease” that addressed the spread of SARS and other contagious diseases. To summarize the article:

-Do your best to separate facts from sensationalism.

-These diseases affect our psychological wellbeing. Individuals often develop heightened periods of stress and anxiety.

-Isolation increases in periods of uncertainty.

Resilience during disease outbreaks includes:

1. Making connection – keep in touch with family, friends and others. Even if it can’t be face-to-face, then keep in contact through technology. Maintaining one’s spiritual disciplines and or volunteering to assist others is helpful.

2. Maintain a hopeful outlook – great minds are attempting to develop cures and our hospitals are filled with competent caregivers.

3. Self-care is critical – eat properly, exercise and rest. Schedule time for activities that are enjoyable.

4. Limit the amount of time that you spend reading or watching disease-related sensationalized coverage. Find credible sources for your information.

5. Take decisive actions – do take the appropriate precautions recommended by medical personnel, have an emergency plan in place, recall the ways you’ve handled difficult moments in the past.

The article concludes by noting that developing resilience is in fact a personal journey. Each of us has to discern what makes us the most resilient mentally, spiritually, physically and socially. Although there may be commonalities in approaches, what works for me may not work for you and vice-versa.

Having said this though, our journey in resiliency takes place within community – neighborhoods, faith communities, organizations and institutions – by design. So, when we’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s always wise to consider talking to someone who can help –family friends, a religious leader, a mental health professional, a physician, members of the chaplaincy, a physician, a supervisor, or even just a fellow Airman. Turning to someone for guidance and care is a resilient act unto itself!

Further Parish Directives

Although the tempo of our days has changed dramatically, God remains good and His Grace is in abundance.  We are to use our time wisely, and in many an instance, creatively unto His glory, the edification of the Church and unto salvation.   

On account of pandemic, we are having to limit physical attendance at services to the clergy, a chanter, a few servers in the Sanctuary, and a member of our Parish Council who is assisting with broadcasts, beginning this evening (we will begin broadcasting at 5:45PM with the 9th hour).  Thankfully, you are able to attend services remotely, at this point via https://www.facebook.com/saintanna (you need not be a member of Facebook.  Just close the box that asks if you’d like to login or create a new account).  We will continue to work on the quality, both video and sound, in addition to providing you texts to pray at home.  In addition, we will continue to pray and creatively consider how we can best offer the Holy Mysteries to our faithful.  

It is important to note that although not perfect, the internet broadcast of services are to be observed by the faithful respectfully, prayerfully and not at our leisure or convenience. We should do everything we can to be attentive and prayerful while observing the services in our home. This is certainly not a substitute to gathering in the House of the Lord, but it is the temporary response to the current situation. 

I’m thankful to share that in the days ahead, we will:

- Take our study classes online.
- Create forums for our junior high school, high school and young adults to gather in fellowship. 
- Conduct wellness checks (phone calls) on all of our parishioners. 
- Provide additional Orthodox Christian resources for families (please note the correct address for the conference on Monasticism is https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzMFpudCpFCladKk1OEMBgPyboEGWMNzq). 

Of course, if a member of your family is ill or in need, please contact Fr. Seraphim or Fr. Christopher so that we can add them to our prayer lists, schedule a visit, and or simply be of assistance.

 If a member of your family is not added to our listserv, please sign them up at https://www.goarch.org/listserv/listsubscribe?l=saintanna 

Message from Metropolitan Gerasimos on the Coronavirus Pandemic

Message from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos to the Clergy and Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco

Beloved in the Lord,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

With every passing moment the information we are receiving regarding the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change because of the volatility of this situation. Health officials, both locally and worldwide, are working diligently to curtail the spread of this virus. Just yesterday, seven counties in the greater San Francisco area have been ordered to “shelter in place” until April 7, 2020, with no non-essential services being permitted, so as to slow the spreading of this disease. This restriction currently affects ten parishes located in San Francisco, Belmont, Novato, San Jose, Oakland, Castro Valley, Concord and Santa Cruz. We anticipate that similar orders may be issued in other regions as the spread of the Coronavirus continues, and expect that parishes will abide by the guidelines of the authorities.

The pervasiveness of COVID-19 into every corner of our Metropolis makes it nearly impossible to monitor city by city and county by county the guidelines and protocols for each area. According to the recent guidelines issued by the White House and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), gatherings of more than 10 people are not permitted. For this reason, I am directing all parishes in the Metropolis of San Francisco to observe the following until further notice:

1.      All parishes must adhere to the guidelines mandated by local, state and federal authorities.

2.      For all services, including the Divine Liturgy, clergy may conduct services with one chanter, and one or two necessary assistants. The participation of the faithful should be in accordance with the parameters set forth by the authorities, or by encouraging them to participate through the various online resources.

3.      Funerals are to be conducted with immediate family only.

4.      Unless the situation is urgent, baptisms should be rescheduled. 

5.      Clergy will make themselves available to minister to the individual needs of their faithful.

6.      Monastic communities are to be closed to all visitors.

During the difficult time of this pandemic, these words from the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil are especially appropriate, “Remember, Lord, the people here present and those who are absent with good cause. Have mercy on them and on us according to the multitude of Your mercy.”  

To say these are challenging times is an understatement. However, we must remain strong in our faith, and use this time when other worldly distractions are removed from our attention to instead focus on prayer, reading the Holy Scriptures, fasting, and truly prepare to receive the Crucified and Resurrected Christ into our lives on the Great Feast of Pascha!

With Love in Christ,

 +Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco

Download the Message from Metropolitan Gerasimos

List of Parishes Where You Can Watch Services Online

Academic Lectures from the recent “Byzantine Monasticism: Past and Present" 

“Byzantine Monasticism: Past and Present" 

This series, sponsored by The Institute for the Study of Eastern Christianity at Catholic University of America, provided a variety of lectures on Monasticism, both past and present. Lectures discussed the earliest forms of monasticism, liturgical influence of monasticism, monasticism and technology, and monasticism in a modern age and the use of technology. Lecturers included PhD students, distinguished scholars, monastic scholars, and even Bishops in the Orthodox Church. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzMFpudCpFCladKk1OEMBgPyboEGWMNzq

We thank St. Anna parishioner, Jessica Rentz, who is currently in the midst of her doctoral studies at the Catholic University of America for sharing this information with us. 

Resources for the Sunday Divine Liturgy

In preparation for the Divine Liturgy, you are encouraged to download the following:

The first link is for the ePub version, which can be read using the Apple Books app on iPhones and iPads, readily available on the Apple App Store. It contains, the Apolytikion of Saint Anna, the Nicene Creed, the Prayers Before Communion, the Stewardship Prayer. There are also ePub reader apps available on the Google Play Store for those with Android devices.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xvob1k13f890kq4/Common%20Prayers.epub?dl=0

The second links are for the pdf versions, of the aforementioned prayers, as well as the Orthros Psalms, as well as the Doxology and Liturgy, which is especially formatted for reading on smartphones and tablets.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3g46lvck5axwnex/Common%20Prayers.pdf?dl=0

OrthrosPsalmsV1.0.pdf https://www.dropbox.com/s/6eailvkdgr4kvu3/Orthros.Psalms.1.0.pdf?dl=0

DoxologyLiturgyV1.0.pdf https://www.dropbox.com/s/70avkiei39fro1z/DoxologyLiturgy.1.0.pdf?dl=0

Important Message from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos Regarding COVID-19

Important Message from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos Regarding COVID-19

Beloved Faithful of the Metropolis of San Francisco,

Christ, Who is the source of our Life, our Hope and our Consolation, has never abandoned His Church. Persecutions, theological upheavals, wars, and times of illnesses or diseases have never separated us from Him. The Church will always be a beacon of every good gift unto humanity and all creation. Christ is and will ever remain the good Physician of our souls and bodies. 

The appearance of the COVID-19 virus on the world stage has presented a great challenge for our civil authorities and medical experts. We are responding appropriately to the ever-changing information about this virus and efforts to contain its spread in order to save lives. We are constantly reviewing the guidelines promulgated by local health departments. 

Until further notice, the following directives are in place effective immediately in addition to what has already been offered to us by the Archdiocese on March 6, 2020:

·        All programs (GOYA, JOY, HOPE, Young Adults, Church School, Greek School, Senior Citizens, Bible Studies, Sports Leagues, Greek Folk Dance, etc.), are to be cancelled.

·        Fellowship and Coffee Hours are to be cancelled.

·        Memorial services will still be celebrated, but Koliva will be distributed in the Narthex in pre-filled cups or plastic bags following the service for the faithful as they leave.

·        The passing of trays should be discontinued. Instead, a place to accept offerings will be provided in the Narthex.  

·        All non-liturgical gatherings at the church are to be cancelled.

·        Any churches that host other groups for gatherings of any sort should cancel those activities.

·        Parishes with more than one priest may offer more than one liturgy to increase social distancing of the faithful.

·        All directives from the local authorities that impact church services including liturgical assemblies must be followed -  most especially social distancing and hand washing.

·        Each priest is to use his discretion depending upon his particular locality in conjunction with the information provided by authorities.

I found this message from Fr. Maximos Constas, Interim Dean of Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology, to be particularly meaningful, “This is a time to be cautious, careful, and to follow the advice of responsible and informed individuals. Together with these, the best defense and protection of our health is to have faith in God, placing ourselves under His care and protection. Our faith and God’s providence and love are the best defense against every threat and every illness, both physical and spiritual. ‘Look to the signs of the times,’ as St. Ignatius of Antioch says, ‘but then look to the One who is beyond time’ (Letter to Polycarp 3).” 

We must continue to be prayerful and faithful, and trust that the Lord will deliver our world from this disease. Please offer the attached prayer service, individually and collectively, that all those who are suffering are granted healing, and that the Lord will enlighten the medical professionals as they seek to control the spread of COVID-19.

As we journey through Great and Holy Lent amidst these challenging times, let us walk with faith, strengthened by the Lord’s mighty hand and illumined by His Grace and Peace.

With Love in Christ,

+Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco

Mitigating the spread of COVID-19

News concerning the spread of COVID-19 continues to fill our inboxes, to dominate our media, and to occupy our conversations, but our response as Orthodox Christians though remains ever the same: while we heed the advice of our health care providers, (who help us to mitigate the risks to our families and our greater communities), we do not succumb to fear. Rather, we remain always: ever hopeful, grace-filled, loving and faithful, based upon the teachings, beliefs, and practices of our great Orthodox Christian faith.  

Resiliency is in our Christian DNA.  Christ, who is our Life, our Hope and our Consolation, has never abandoned His Church. Not during its many persecutions, nor theological upheavals, nor during times of illnesses or diseases.  The Martyrs, as well holy men and women in each and every generation, have testified to this truth in their lives, to us, as will do so as well to the faithful who are yet to come.  The Church will always be a beacon of every good gift unto humanity and all of creation, a creation mind you, which is always in need of grace and redemption.  To put this into plain language: Christ is and will ever remain the good Physician, the Church is His hospital, the Sacraments are His Medicine, and we the faithful, are both His appointed care providers, as well as being His patients too. 

With this in mind; having received directives from local health care providers, both in and outside our parish, as well as from fellow clergy throughout the region, we will be implementing the following procedures:  

1.     We will continue to pray services.

2.     In order to reduce the risk of exposure, while continuing to provide the Sacraments as well, we will be shifting to two Liturgies on Sunday for the time being.  Orthros will begin at 7:45AM, followed by the first liturgy.  A second Liturgy will begin at 10:30AM (memorial services will be prayed at the close of this Liturgy).  

3.     At the close of every service, will we ask for intercessory healing through prayers offered to our Lord, the Theotokos and the Saints. 

4.     We will continue to take appropriate steps to ensure the wellbeing of our parishioners by:

a.     Regularly disinfecting all surfaces (including icons), doors, chairs, etc.… before and after services. 

b.     Removing some seats from the church to create more personal space during worship.

c.     Asking that you only bow in front of the icons to express your love of the Lord, the Theotokos and the Saints. 

d.     Providing hand sanitizer in key spots around the church.

e.     Administering the Holy Eucharist in the usual and sacred manner.

f.      Not passing the offering tray at the end of service. Instead, there will be baskets in the Narthex after services so that you can continue to support our ministries.

g.     Suspending the serving of snacks and food in the fellowship hall. 

h.     Suspending ALL studies and meetings at the Parish to limit the spread of the virus. 

5.     If you are the elderly or at risk (due to a compromised immune system) or are sick or symptomatic, we encourage you to stay at home and to consider streaming services instead: http://www.goholycross.org/Broadcast/  or http://www.goannunciation.org/live-services

6.     If you are not able to attend services, and would like a pastoral visit, please contact us at the Church Office or via email. 

Additionally, no one should be or feel criticized for making the choice to refrain for a time from their participation in the liturgical life of the Church. May these precautionary measures and our prayerful responses be blessed during this crisis. We should strengthen one another, as the Apostle Paul says: For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with Him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (I Thessalonians 5:9-11) [-Archbishop Elpidophoros]