The Candle Vendor of Gyumri's Seven Wounds Church Infected

The candle vendor of Gyumri's Seven Wounds Church has tested positive for coronavirus, according to a confirmation from the Bishop of Shirak, Mikhail Ajapeyan.

“Fortunately, no one else has been infected. All test results from those in self-isolation were negative as of last night. The candle vendor is a man in his sixties, and his condition is currently assessed as satisfactory by doctors,” stated Bishop Mikhail.

In response to concerns that all church bells should ring in memory of innocent victims, yet some bells, including that of the Seven Wounds Church, did not ring, the bishop explained: “The bells of the Seven Wounds did not ring because the candle vendor was infected, and all other staff members were already under self-isolation and quarantine instructions. We deemed it appropriate for the Seven Wounds to refrain from participating in that general program. Yesterday, we adhered to the doctors' self-isolation instructions and thought it better to remain isolated rather than join in the general ringing. I believe our approach was more correct than having one more church participate. As of today, there is nothing to worry about.”