Churches in Greece to reopen for individual worship on May 4

·

In a public address to the nation, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that churches will be open for individual worship from May 4. The Prime Minister also announced that the faithful will be able to participate in the Divine Liturgy from May 17, should Greeks follow restrictive measures.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis thanked Archbishop Ieronymos of Greece for his understanding and cooperation of the situation.

“The experience of this year’s Easter was not easy for any of us. It turned out, however, that it was necessary for everyone,” the Prime Minister of Greece said in his public address on Tuesday.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announces the country’s plan of emergency from a nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece, April 28, 2020. Greek Prime Minister’s Office/Dimitris Papamitsos/Handout via REUTERS

Greek Government spokesperson Stelios Petsas also acknowledged and thanked the Church for taking full responsibility of the issue at hand, making the “tough decisions” when required.

“The faithful followed the advice of both the church and the state and, fortunately, we have done extremely well so far in this as well,” Stelios Petsas added.

Mr Petsas affirmed that while congregations for the divine liturgy will be reintroduced on May 17, the faithful must follow the strict rules to be introduced.

Read More: Greece plans gradual relaxation of lockdown measures

“I must reiterate that this will be implemented, always with the aim of protecting public health and as long as personal hygiene and distance measures are observed,” Stelios Petsas finalised in his public address to journalists on Tuesday.

Greece has so far registered 2,566 coronavirus cases including 138 deaths, much fewer than many other European nations, thanks partly to the swift imposition of its lockdown on March 23.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Delphi Women’s Business Luncheon unites powerful Greek women in leadership

For the second consecutive year, Delphi Bank hosted its annual Women in Business Luncheon - Delphi Bank Women's Business Luncheon - in Sydney on...

Greek Film Festival announces additional Sydney screenings

Following several sold-out sessions since opening last Thursday, the 2022 Greek Film Festival has announced additional Sydney screenings.

Marcus Stoinis dropped from Australia’s T20 squad ahead of West Indies tour

Veteran all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been dropped from Australia’s T20 squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies in July.