As the effects of the Coronavirus or COVID 19 continues to spread across the World, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has taken peculiar measures to combat the spread of the disease.
The Anglican Church of Nigeria has put a hold on the use of one chalice during Holy Communion in all its churches across Nigeria.
The Church also went a step further by suspending handshakes and hugs among members. The customary greeting of peace among church members.
The Secretary General of the Church of Nigeria, Gershinen Dajur made this known via a letter addressed to all church Archbishops and Bishops on Friday on behalf of Primate Nicholas Okoh.
Read the letter below:
“His Grace, the Most Rev’d Nicholas D. Okoh has directed that certain steps be taken as guides against contacting and communicating the virus among our people.
“Let the church be encouraged to trust God who is well able to help us in our times of trouble (Psalms46:1). This is the time to trust and obey God than to be anxious and panic (Phil 4:6-7).
“Since this virus is communicable, the church is to prayerfully put on hold the sharing of one chalice to all during Holy Communion. Other smaller communion cups should be used for individual communication.
“Also, handshakes and hugs during the exchange of peace should be substituted with non-contagious gestures such as hand waving, mutual bowing, or making the sign of the cross, etc.
“Let everyone be encouraged to observe good personal hygiene through proper washing of hands with soap or hand sanitiser; covering of mouth with a handkerchief when sneezing or coughing etc.
“These are temporary guides given in good spirit to help us while we navigate our way through the challenge of the pandemic of COVID 19.
“Please do not oversimplify, underrate, overrate, overreact or over spiritualise this issue of COVID 19.
The primate further asked his members to read up on Coronavirus and implement safety procedures provided by the WHO and Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control.
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