Greetings in the Name of Our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
I wish to provide you with information about multiple confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 infection that have been identified in parishioners who were in attendance at church on Sunday, December 26, 2021. We are working closely with His Grace, Bishop Alexander and York Region Public Health regarding this issue. York Region Public Health (YRPH) has stated since a number of positive cases have surfaced since Sunday’s service, everyone in attendance should be considered close contacts. With that, it has been determined that the church will be closed for a period of time. Note there will be no services tomorrow December 31, 2021, Saturday, January 1, 2022 and Sunday, January 3, 2022.
With the support of His Grace and YRPH the Church will resume services on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 to commemorate the Feast of Theophany. Note the schedule below:
9:00 a.m. – Royal Hours
5:00 p.m. – Orthros
6:30 p.m. – Divine Liturgy
As per our regular procedures, all parishioners are required to wear masks while at church and to practice physical distancing, as well as proper hand hygiene – hand washing, sanitizer, etc. Capacity limits also remain in effect.
The health, safety and well-being of all of our parishioners is our top priority. As you know, one of the most important things we can do to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our church, is for parishioners and their families to screen themselves daily for any symptoms of COVID-19 and to follow all public health recommendations if any symptoms are detected or if you are a close contact of a positive case.
Below are a number of links provided by York Region Public Health which will help you determine your obligations and responsibilities as well as general information on navigating the circumstances surrounding the pandemic.
Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment and Testing: york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/health/yr/covid-19/symptomstransmissiontreatmentandtesting
Testing information with more assessment centres and pharmacies that are doing testing can be found here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/assessment-centre-locations
Information regarding testing positive and what needs to be done next can be found here: york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/health/yr/covid-19/covid19positive
The congregation can also get information from Access York at: 1-877-464-9675
They can also a speak with a nurse from Telehealth at: 1-866-797-0000
I wish you many blessings for the New Year upon us and pray that you and your families remain healthy and safe.
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
9116 Bayview Ave.
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 7B5
(905) 731-7210
COVID-19 Update and Church Closure- Dec 31, 2021 – Jan 03, 2022