Coptic Orthodox church in Mount Druitt, New South Wales, Australia, serves community through lockdown with tutoring and food aid

Father Antonios Kaldas, parish priest at Archangel Michael and Saint Bishoy Coptic Orthodox Church in Mount Druitt, spoke with Hope 103.2’s Ben McEachen about how his church is serving its local community during lockdown. He said the pandemic had prompted the parish to reflect more deeply on what it means to be a church and a Christian.

He described the parish as having fallen into its usual habits and routines, and said the disruption had prompted questions about what matters most and what the community is trying to do. He asked whether there were ways to experience God’s presence when people cannot gather together.

Kaldas said the Coptic Orthodox tradition has long valued withdrawing from the world for a time to seek silence, peace and reflection. He compared this to the prophet Elijah hearing the still, small voice of God in a cave. In his view, the lockdown had given people an opportunity to do something similar.

Members have stayed in contact through phone calls and by mailing small “survival packs” to one another, which he called very sweet. Communal life has moved online. Masses and prayer services continue, but because only a small number of people, three, may be in the church at one time, the services are streamed live. Kaldas said this is not as good as meeting in person, but that it has made the parish appreciate in-person worship more.

Some parishioners have continued charity work despite the restrictions. Kaldas said a few people tutor disadvantaged children, and others go out to give food and clothing to homeless people in Mount Druitt. He said they have been able to keep this work going while observing very careful precautions, showing care for those in need (Matthew 25:35).

Kaldas said people experiencing homelessness are often overlooked. He noted that many pandemic rules are written for people who have homes and jobs, while others affected by the crisis are in danger and need support. He said the parish cannot stop supporting them simply because COVID-19 is still present.

Kaldas also reflected on the limits of human control. He said that people cannot control much in life and that he did not believe people who tie their happiness to controlling the world will ever be happy.

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