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rpannier

(24,304 posts)
Sun Apr 19, 2020, 10:15 AM Apr 2020

April 19 is Orthodox Easter. How are the churches handled Covid-19? Depends on where you are

If you live in the Ukraine, the disagreement between the Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches are minimal (compared to other places)
The Russian Orthodox Church has banned people from attending services, urging them to watch at home. Metropolitan Onufriy did say worshipers could come, stand outside the church and pray, provided they keep proper distance apart. The Ukrainian Orthodox Archbishop Yevstratiy criticized the decision, stating that it was every Christians duty to protect one another and stay home.
This dispute is fairly minor

In Russia, it's been a bigger mixed bag. In St. Petersburg churches have been closed since Mar 26.
The Moscow Patriarchate criticized the decision because it infringed on religious freedom. Yet, 3 days later (and after the government aka Putin changed their tact on the virus) Patriarch Kirill publicly urge believers to "strictly obey the regulations imposed by the health authorities" and "refrain from church visits."

However, Archbishop Pitirim of Syktyvkar and Komi, urged the Orthodox community to legally challenge orders to close churches. He has invited "volunteers" to come to services in the city of Syktyvkar.
According to the Archbishop, "Faith helps develop an immunity that protects."
Guy sounds like a few religious in the U.S. I wonder if he's washed in the blood of Christ?

In Greece the churches are closed. The Saturday vigil was watched on-line. Though some stood outside St. Demetrios Church in Thessaloniki with lit candles.

In Bulgaria the churches have stayed open. Patriarch Neophyte, led Midnight Mass. Though other Easter services will be held on TV only.

In Georgia, you must arrive before 9 pm and cannot leave until after 6 am -- the curfew. Churches have been set up to enforce social distancing. Police forces are patrolling the churches checking.
Be curious how many show up for that.

In Cyprus, Turkey and Romania everything is closed -- including the churches. Though in Balcoi, Romania, the priests and volunteers did go and distribute the Holy Fire under the eye of local police officers who were instructed to break up this activity if social distancing rules were not obeyed

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Yes, it isn't just in America that some people will not listen. Euronews has a picture from Bulgaria of people outside a church and one of them brought their son with them

All of this information was gathered from Euronews and REFRL

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