The Russian Orthodox Church has said that it is a sin to refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and that those who commit it will have to repent for the rest of their lives.
Metropolitan Hilarion, the head of the Russia Orthodox Church's Department for External Church Relations, explained that parishioners regularly come to him to repent for not being vaccinated. Speaking to TV channel, Russia-24, he said:
"They come and say, 'How am I supposed to live with this now?' And it's hard for even me to say how to live with it. All your life, you have to make up for the sin you committed."
Reflecting on those who feel guilty for not getting the vaccine, the Russian cleric stated:
"The sin is thinking about yourself instead of thinking about other people. We are responsible – each of us – not only for ourselves and not only for our loved ones, but also for all those who come into contact with us."
Speaking on TV, Metropolitan Hilarion often urges people to follow the guidelines against the pandemic and to precautions to avoid the spread of the virus.
He also recently spoke in favour of the government's initiative to impose compulsory vaccination for workers in the service sector.
He said:
"Of course, it is desirable to observe the principle of voluntariness in relation to vaccinations – the principle that was stated from the very beginning. But there is also the principle of people's responsibility for the lives of other people."
[h/t: Greek City Times]
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