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• I go to an Oriental Orthodox Church. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there has been an uprise of arguments going on in my church relating to the disagreement of wearing masks inside the church. My church requires all members to wear a mask when entering the building and our priests and deacons are also wearing masks. With that being said, many people are angry that our priest is wearing a mask at the altar in the presence of the Holiness. Members say that if one has true faith in God, He will protect us in His house. In addition, they mention that when the sick visit the church, this is their remedy, not a place to be fearful of a virus. I have been saddened by this situation because it seems as if everyone is going against each other and I do not know how to feel about this coming from an Orthodox perspective or even biblical. What does God want us to do in this case? Is it wrong for a priest to wear a mask inside the altar while preparing the Holy Communion in fear of a virus?