The Belarusian Orthodox Church has officially responded to the news that its primate, Metropolitan Veniamin (Tupeko), has contracted the coronavirus.

“The Patriarchal Exarch has symptoms of SARS, he is currently abstaining from worship,” the Belarusian Exarchate said on January 20, Sputnik reports.

The BOC added that the Metropolitan did not need hospitalization, and he is in good health.