A new joint ministerial decision scheduled to be issued on Thursday in Greece will allow the government to extend the period during which churches will have to remain closed in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Greece is preparing to celebrate its greatest feast day, Orthodox Easter, on Sunday, April 19; however, people will be barred from attending all its attendant services and liturgies everywhere in the country due to the nation’s stringent coronavirus measures.
Television broadcasts and internet streaming have been used to allow people to watch the many liturgies of Holy week from the safety of their own homes.
A previous ministerial decision had made provisions for the closure of churches until April 20.
Archbishop Ieronymos has said recently that the Orthodox Church of Greece will respect the directions and guidelines of the state; however, individual bishops have repeatedly expressed their distaste for the closure of the churches during the last several weeks.
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