Archdiocese of Vilnius stops Mass in Vilnius city and district due to spread of coronavirus: services will not take place during Easter

Worship services will not be held in churches belonging to the Archdiocese of Vilnius. During the Easter period. Worship services will not be held in Vilnius City, Vilnius District, Švenčionys District, Visaginas Municipality. Furthermore, Mass with the faithful will temporarily not take place in the Alioniai Church and the Bartkuškis and Šiauliai Chapels in the Širvintos district belonging to the Archdiocese of Vilnius. S t. Mass without the participation of the faithful in these municipalities of the Archdiocese of Vilnius will take place until the second day of Easter (April 5) inclusive.

We share the message of the Archbishop of Vilnius Gintaras Grušas to the believers of the Archdiocese of Vilnius about pastoral care in the churches of the most pandemic municipalities.

Dear believers in the Archdiocese of Vilnius, thank you for being an active member of the Church. I listen and understand your pain due to the limitations that exist, and I invite you to sacrifice that pain for God, for yourself, for the whole world and especially for those who are sick or healing the sick.

Unfortunately, with the spread of the COVID pandemic, the 14-day morbidity per 100,000 inhabitants exceeded the limit of 500 new cases in several municipalities of the Archdiocese of Vilnius. Starting tomorrow, March 25, St. The celebration of Mass with the faithful is suspended in the churches and chapels of the following municipalities: Vilnius city, Vilnius district, Švenčionys district, Visaginas municipality. Furthermore, Mass with the faithful will temporarily not take place in the Alioniai Church and the Bartkuškis and Šiauliai Chapels in the Širvintos district belonging to the Archdiocese of Vilnius. S t. Mass without the participation of the faithful in these municipalities of the Archdiocese of Vilnius will take place until the second day of Easter (April 5) inclusive.

And it pains me that a large part of the believers in our diocese are once again St. Easter should be celebrated outdoors with the community of believers. I invite you not to abandon the Mass anyway; Let’s join in common prayer by watching webcasts, television, or listening to the radio.

I urge you to come to your parishes to pray in private, make a confession or arrange a spiritual conversation with a priest, receive the Blessed Sacrament. The priests are waiting for you. The churches are open. When we come, let’s try to keep our distance, maintain sneeze hygiene, wash our hands frequently, wear masks indoors, and if we feel at least the slightest symptom of a cold, let’s stay home.

Those who have the opportunity to use the vaccines offered by the state are invited. All COVID vaccines can be given; they do not contradict the teachings of the Church. Vaccination is a way to manage a pandemic and, at the same time, a good job for our society and the people around us who cannot get vaccinated or it is not their turn.

Thank you for the communion of prayer and the works of mercy that you do for each other. Let us remember that for those who love God, everything is going well.

Check church websites, Facebook pages, or bulletin boards for the exact times confessions are heard, Communion shared, Mass broadcast, open-air verbs celebrated, or blessed Easter.