Orthodox Churches

Celebration of Pascha Did Not Affect Spread of Coronavirus in Georgia, Says Infectious Disease Specialist

There was no increase in the cases of coronavirus infection following the celebration of Pascha in Georgia, where the churches remained open though observing the necessary sanitary standards, according to a leading infectious diseases expert in Tbilisi.

“At the recommendation of the government, the Church itself has taken a very correct and good position and, in fact, we quietly passed through the period that could have been the basis for the growth of the epidemic,” said Tengiz Tsertsvadze, the Director of the Tbilisi Infectious Diseases Hospital, on Adjara Television on May 4.

Prayer for pandemic from Network of Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care

The Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care created a prayer asking God healing, protection, hope, and peace for the Departed.

The prayer is the following:

Prayer during pandemic illness
(of the new Coronavirus that has fallen upon us)

Icons Stolen From Greek Monastery Appear in Private Gallery Auction in Europe

Hundreds of precious icons were stolen from churches and monasteries in the northern Epirus region of Greece between 2000 and 2010, most of them ending up abroad and being sold.

The creation of an electronic database of stolen art, including 150 icons, helped significantly reduce the number of thefts.

Greek Minister of Education Kerameus’ “thank you” to the Church of Greece and all religious doctrines

The Minister of Education, Niki Kerameus, expressed her gratitude to the Greek Church, during today’s briefing on the progress of the pandemic and the gradual lifting of the measures.

Minister Kerameus thanked the Church of Greece “for the exceptionally responsible stance it showed in the implementation of the restrictive measures” and especially during the special for the Orthodox period of Easter. She reiterated the dates announced yesterday by the Prime Minister regarding the opening of places of worship. That is, from May 4, the temples will be open for individual prayer only, while from May 17, the faithful will be able to attend in the services under conditions that will follow the instructions of the National Committee for the Protection of Public Health.

Greece: Churches to open for individual prayer on May 4, for Divine Liturgy on May 17

“From May 4, the churches will be open for individual worship. From May 17, the faithful will be able to participate in the Divine Liturgy,” said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his address.

Restrictions on the movement of citizens will be lifted on May 4, but restrictions on travel to other prefectures remain in place for two weeks. The prime minister thanked all citizens for their stance.

Meeting of the Standing Holy Synod of the Church of Greece on Thursday, April 30

The Standing Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, of the 163rd Synodic Period, will meet on Thursday, April 30, 2020. The Holy Synod will deal with the issues on the agenda.

The opening of the churches is expected to be in the spotlight. It is recalled that the government’s plan is to open churches for individual prayer at first, while the places of worship will be opened to the congregation with specific protection rules and measures at a later stage.