Spiritual Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impacts on Orthodox Christianity Devotion Practices, Rituals, and Religious Pilgrimages

Abstract

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on multiple aspects of physical and social health, including spiritual and religious dimensions, has been discussed not only by numerous theologians, scientists, and politicians, but also by millions of believers of all faiths worldwide. The pandemic seems to have exerted a significant impact on religious practices. Massive gatherings of devoted and faithful people have been strongly discouraged and even openly banned. Prominent religious festivals and pilgrimages that have been conflated by the media with other "mega-spreader events" are incessantly canceled to mitigate the pandemic and alleviate the burden of COVID-19 on the healthcare system. The impact of the pandemic on Catholic or Muslim religious tourism has been extensively described in peer-reviewed and gray literature. However, observant members of the Orthodox Christianity faith have also experienced the constrictive prohibitions for gathering at and worshiping in shrines, churches, and monasteries. Among the manifestations of devotion that the pandemic has interfered with are the attendance to public worship spaces for the celebration of rites and ceremonies, like the celebration of Orthodox Easter. Expressions of reverent devotion including the kissing of crosses and icons as well as the sacrament of Holy Communion may have also been considered a motive of concern as these holy objects and the spoon used might act as fomites in the dissemination of the virus. Visitation of holy places has been also hampered by the pandemic. The most important centers of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christianity are Mount Athos and Jerusalem, as well as the Shrine of Panagia Evangelistria in the Island of Tinos, Greece. Authorities have halted almost completely the arrival of visitors to these sites. This paper aims at elaborating on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on social manifestations of religiosity and therefore taking a toll on the spiritual health of believers who have deeply rooted religious convictions and are strongly attached to Church tradition. This analysis closes with the provision of specific suggestions for the care, support, and healing of the impacted or splintered spiritual health of the believers who cannot participate in expressions of devotion, such as pilgrimages and religious tourism because of personal and public health concern, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Relationships between Character Strengths and Subjective Wellbeing: Evidence from Greece under Lockdown during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…All of these restrictions placed on religious ceremonies were devastating, as they used to establish social ties and a sense of belonging, a necessary component of wellbeing. Additionally, believers no longer had the opportunity to pray in religious places as they did before and could only pray at home [52]. All of these changes in the way that people expressed their religiousness are also the reason why spirituality did not positively predict the wellbeing components in this study.…”

“…However, in order for people to have high levels of spirituality, some processes are required, such as expressions of admiration, devotion, exchange of beliefs, and worship. As such, it seems that religion is a very important component of spirituality [52]. Although, it has not been studied in its entirety, it seems that spiritual health contributes to the prevention and promotion of mental health [52].…”

“…As such, it seems that religion is a very important component of spirituality [52]. Although, it has not been studied in its entirety, it seems that spiritual health contributes to the prevention and promotion of mental health [52].…”

“…In order to connect with God and feel supported, many people need to visit churches, shrines, come in contact with other believers, and show public worship. However, all of these practices, which are a source of strength for believers, were prohibited during quarantine, as people were isolated in order to ensure public health [52].…”

The Relationship Between Pre-pandemic Measures of Religiosity and Psychological Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Secondary Analysis of Data From a Multi-Country Study

“…However, other researchers have obtained different results: some have observed a lack of association between religiosity and anxiety, while others have noted a protective effect against anxiety and some have even identified an increased level of anxiety associated with certain religions in specific contexts [ 43 - 45 ]. The effect of religiosity on psychological responses to the pandemic may depend crucially on factors such as the type of religion being considered, local social and cultural factors, and pandemic-related restrictions on worship [ 46 , 47 ].…”