Philadelphia Missionary Church, Jaffna

Church in Jaffna, Sri Lanka
09°39′33.90″N 80°03′24.60″E / 9.6594167°N 80.0568333°E / 9.6594167; 80.0568333LocationAriyalai, JaffnaCountrySri LankaDenominationmissionaryWebsitewww.pmcinternational.chHistoryFounder(s)Rev. Paul SatkunarajahArchitectureFunctional statusActive

Philadelphia Missionary Church also simply known as Philadelphia Church is a missionary church located in Ariyalai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The church is located at No 724 Kandy Road, Ariyalai.[1]

Coronavirus pandemic

On 15 March 2020, the main senior pastor of the church conducted special Sunday service which was arranged to mitigate the global coronavirus pandemic.[2] It was later reported that the pastor was tested positive for COVID-19 and went to Switzerland on that day itself with his wife for medical treatment.[3][4] The pastor Rev. Paul Satkunarajah is also noticeably the founder of the missionary church and is believed to be the resident of Switzerland.[5] The person is also believed to have been infected with the virus before coming to Sri Lanka.[6]

The Northern Province Governor P. S. M. Charles confirmed that the pastor with the coronavirus symptoms hugged and blessed all worshippers during the service. Around 240 people were reported to have attended the service according to the EconomyNext.[7] On 21 March 2020, the authorities urged all the people who attended the service to self quarantine themselves for at least 14 days.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Sri Lanka Ministries". jebam. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  2. ^ admin (2020-03-21). "Worshippers who attended Jaffna church service asked to quarantine". Colombo Gazette. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  3. ^ "Pastor tests positive for coronavirus after church service in Jaffna | Tamil Guardian". www.tamilguardian.com. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  4. ^ "Attendees of a Jaffna mass urged to contact authorities after pastor tested positive". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  5. ^ "Those Attended Special Prayers At A Church In Ariyalai Wanted | Asian Tribune". www.asiantribune.com. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  6. ^ "Pastor who conducted service in Jaffna Church tests COVID-19 positive, warning issued to worshippers | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  7. ^ "Jaffna Philadelphia Church parishioners asked to self-quarantine after Pastor gets COVID19". EconomyNext. 2020-03-21. Retrieved 2020-03-22.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ Indrakumar, Menaka. "Jaffna churchgoers asked to self-quarantine after pastor gets COVID-19". Daily News. Retrieved 2020-03-22.