A number of hierarchs and clergy of the Orthodox Church have become sick and many have died this year during the pandemic, as the coronavirus has aggravated the poor health with which many of them were already struggling.
And, of course, people continue to suffer from the same health sicknesses and diseases that already existed in the world before the pandemic and are in need of our prayers.
Among them is His Eminence Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware), 86, one of the most well-known public figures in the Orthodox Church today. “As many of you will know, I have not been well in recent weeks and so have not been able to see you in church as I would have liked,” Met. Kallistos wrote to local Oxford priests and parishioners recently. His letter was published by His Eminence Metropolitan Savvas (Zembilas) of Pittsburgh of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
He notes that he has had “further treatment for cancer” which he hopes will stave off any development. Additionally, His Eminence had a pacemaker fitted last week, which has helped him have more energy, OrthoChristian was informed by Fr. Stephen Platt of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Russian Orthodox Church in Oxford.
Met. Kallistos also notes that he may have to have a minor operation in the New Year. He is feeling well, but tired, he writes, and he is being well cared for.