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Bulgarian Orthodox Churches to remain open on Palm Sunday and Easter

The Greek Herald
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Bulgarian Orthodox Churches to remain open on Palm Sunday and Easter

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Thursday that Bulgaria’s Orthodox churches and temples will be open for traditional Palm Sunday and Easter services despite the coronavirus outbreak, saying many people were desperate and in low spirits.

However, Borissov also urged Bulgarians to stay and pray in their homes. Services at major churches would be broadcast live on state television.

“A difficult decision but I am ready to bear the reproaches,” Borisov told a news conference. “The bishops told me that there are many people who are in low spirits, desperate. So I just cannot issue such an order (to close churches).”

Services on Palm Sunday and especially Easter normally draw thousands to churches all around the Balkan country.

Read More: Greek President expresses support for Greek diaspora and American Archbishop Elpidophoros

Interior Minister Mladen Marinov said police will maintain a heavy presence around churches to keep order and ensure social distancing.

Bulgaria has declared a state of emergency until May 13 and imposed a ban on groups of more than two adults congregating together. As of Thursday, it had 611 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and 24 deaths.

The Orthodox Church will not distribute willow branches, as it customarily does, on Palm Sunday, Lovech Metropolitan (Bishop) Gavriil said, describing the move as “no small compromise”.

Orthodox Christians carry an icon of the Virgin Mary during a parade marking Easter near Bachkovo monastery

Gavriil said Easter services will start outside churches and the Holy Synod, the church’s top executive body, recommended that worshippers wear protective masks.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has been criticised on social media for keeping its houses of worship open in spite of the coronavirus crisis.

Many Bulgarians also pointed fingers at the church for keeping the practices of people kissing icons in churches, and using shared spoons during communion services.

Read More: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia launches ‘COVID-19 Community Relief’ program

Valeri Simeonov, the head of a nationalist party which is part of the ruling coalition, said the church should stop communion services.

“Let’s not pretend that it (the church) is holy. We are at war with with an invisible enemy,” he said.

But many politicians have taken part in the Holy Communion, saying they are not afraid.

“Do not fear!” said Gavriil. “Where God’s grace is, all microbes burn. There is no case of contagion being transmitted through Holy Communion.”

Sourced by: Reuters

Greek President expresses support for Greek diaspora and American Archbishop Elpidophoros

The Greek Herald
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Greek President expresses support for Greek diaspora and American Archbishop Elpidophoros

Newly elected President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou expressed her support for the Greek diaspora and the Archbishop Elpidophoros of America in a tweet on Friday morning.

The president also expressed gratitude towards her followers on social media, as she was able to express the importance of the American Archbishops initiative to all members of the faithful.

“I expressed my support for the expatriates who are being severely tested by the pandemic,” Sakellaropoulou says in her tweet.

Like Australia, Holy Week services conducted in the USA will be broadcast via TV and the Internet. The American Archbishop asked the President to convey his personal congratulations to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for implementing effective polices that have helped Greece flatten the curve.

Read More: Antetokounmpo family donates 10,000 surgical masks to Athens suburb of Zografou

Read More: Mitsotakis spreads message of support to diaspora Greeks

Mitsotakis on Tuesday also sent a message of support to all diaspora Greeks, giving extended sympathies to COVID-19 victims in the United States.

“We have won the first battle. And every day we are winning the second one. Through the government’s bold and swift decisions. Through the mobilisation of the state. And with the responsible behaviour of all citizens, in cities and villages,” he underlined, adding that his thoughts are with the Greeks, wherever they may be, and especially with those living in the USA.

Mitsotakis called on Greeks abroad to abide by social distancing and sanitation measures, which has been proven to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

Greek businesses deliver seafood to homes over Easter as the Sydney Fish Markets have restrictions imposed

Andriana Simos
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Greek businesses deliver seafood to homes over Easter as the Sydney Fish Markets have restrictions imposed

Hundreds of Greek people will be heading to The Sydney Fish Markets this Easter weekend in the hope of finding the freshest seafood for their Palm Sunday meal.

This year, they can expect beefed up security and extra long waiting times as the government imposes new restrictions to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“Every single person who wants to go to the fish market this weekend will have to have an infra-red temperature check before they are allowed on site,” a statement released by NSW Police reads.

“There will only be 400 people in the whole fish markets at any one time, while obviously adhering to the social distancing rules.”

In previous years, hundreds of people have packed into the stores of seafood retailers at The Sydney Fish Markets. Source: Tenterfield Star.

Now if you still plan on heading into the markets, many of the seafood retailers have made adjustments to their stores ahead of the upcoming weekend.

People outside Faros Seafood in Marrickville maintain their social distance. Source: Faros Seafood.

In fact, Greek-owned seafood retailer, Musumeci Seafoods, and De Costi Seafood have both put limits of only 100 people allowed inside the store at one time.

Faros Seafood in Marrickville is also continuing to provide fresh seafood to its loyal customers, with people standing in long queues outside asked to stand two metres apart. They’re also taking orders via the phone.

But one question still remains. What about those vulnerable people in the Greek community who are unable to physically visit the fish markets in the first place?

The elderly have all been told to stay at home amid the coronavirus pandemic and yet they are the most likely candidates to cook a special fish meal for Palm Sunday.

Fear not because here are some more Greek-owned fish markets offering home delivery alternatives:

M&G Seafood Wholesalers

  • If you’re likely to buy in bulk over the Easter period, M&G Seafood Wholesalers offer a variety of fresh and frozen seafood options.
  • You can buy oysters, smoked products, crumbed calamari and even caviar.

Manettas Seafood Market

  • Fresh seafood delivered across Sydney and Central Coast, Mon – Sun (9am – 9pm)
  • All you have to do is select your fish product, tell them how you want it to be prepared and then let the experts get to work!
  • Select a delivery time that suits you and the order will be delivered to your door within that allocated time.

Poulos Bros Seafood

  • Frozen seafood at wholesale prices either delivered to your door or ‘click and collect’ from their warehouse to avoid the queue.
  • Seafood choices include: marina mix, cooked prawns, crab meat and even scallops.

Notaras Fish Markets

  • Cooked fish can be delivered to your home via Uber Eats and Deliveroo.

Greek government rejects plan to home deliver Holy Fire on Easter Saturday

Andriana Simos
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Greek government rejects plan to home deliver Holy Fire on Easter Saturday

The Greek government has put a halt to plans by several municipalities to deliver the Holy Fire to citizens’ homes on Easter Saturday night.

Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crisis Management, Nikos Hardalias, said home delivery of the Holy Fire is not allowed.

Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crisis Management, Nikos Hardalias, said the home delivery initiative would not be allowed because it ‘poses a risk of spreading the coronavirus.’

“We cannot allow such a thing because it is dangerous,” Mr Hardalias said.

“If other municipalities want to take similar initiatives, there is a real risk that would invalidate our efforts so far.” 

The home delivery initiative first took off when Giannis Konstantatos, Mayor of Elliniko-Argyroupolis municipality in eastern Athens, asked his followers on Facebook to leave lanterns outside their homes for ‘municipality teams’ to light with the Holy Fire.

“On Holy Saturday, with absolute respect, I will transfer the Resurrection Light from the airport to the churches of our city. Then, without having to leave your home for the church, municipality teams will transfer the Holy Light to every neighborhood, to every home,” Mayor Konstantatos wrote.

Το Αναστάσιμο Φως στο Σπίτι σας!Το Μεγάλο Σάββατο με απόλυτο σεβασμό θα μεταφέρω το Αναστάσιμο Φως από το αεροδρόμιο…

Posted by Γιάννης Κωνσταντάτος on Monday, 6 April 2020

Several other municipalities quickly jumped on board including the Municipality of Epidaurus, the Municipality in eastern Peloponnese and the Municipality of Xanthi. 

Following these announcements, Mr. Hardalias said he had contacted the President of the Municipalities Union (KEDE), Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou, to convey to him the intention of the Government.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia launches ‘COVID-19 Community Relief’ program

Andriana Simos
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia launches ‘COVID-19 Community Relief’ program

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has today announced the creation of a ‘COVID-19 Community Relief’ program aimed at giving assistance to people struggling to acquire basic living essentials during the coronavirus pandemic.

The program has been launched in collaboration with the Archdiocesan District of Northcote, Melbourne, and will be directed and overseen by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Evmenios Vasilopoulos, Archiepiscopal Vicar of Northcote.

“We created this program in response to the dramatic effects the coronavirus is having on all people, specifically upon those who have lost their jobs and their salaries, as well as our resident international students,” a statement from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia reads.

Very Reverend Archimandrite Evmenios Vasilopoulos will direct the new relief program. Source: The Transfiguration of Our Lord.

“Now we invite all people within our community, as well as all businesses that have the ability to assist in this unifying initiative, to contribute by donating food, clothing, personal hygiene and sanitary products.”

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios went on to thank parishioners in advance for their efforts, their support and prayers “towards the common initiative of love towards our fellow human beings.”

How to donate:

If you live in Melbourne, the following Parishes will function as centres for the collection and distribution of those basic essentials:

  • Archiepiscopal Church of the District of Northcote (7 Hartington Street, Northcote, Victoria 3070.)
  • Parish of St Paraskevi (22 Marsden Crescent, St Albans, Victoria 3021).
  • Parish of the Presentation of Our Lord (23-29 Victoria Street, Coburg, Victoria 3058).
  • Parish of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (45 Poplar Street, Thomastown, Victoria 3074).

If you live in other states and territories, the statement said financial contributions can also be made by directly depositing into the following bank account:

  • Account Name: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Consolidated Trust – Northcote District.
  • BSB: 082 135
  • Account Number: 42128 9455.

Antetokounmpo family donates 10,000 surgical masks to Athens suburb of Zografou

Andriana Simos
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Antetokounmpo family donates 10,000 surgical masks to Athens suburb of Zografou

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers donated 10,000 surgical masks to the Athens suburb of Zografou on Wednesday to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.

The Antetokounmpo family also asked for some of the masks to be distributed to the district of Sepolia, where the brothers grew up.

“I’d like to thank the Antetokounmpo brothers for their generous donation that becomes even greater since it takes place in difficult times for the whole planet,” Mayor of Zografou, Vassilis Thodas, said.

Giannis and his brothers Thanasis, Kostas and Alexis grew up in poverty in their early days in Greece, where their parents had arrived from Nigeria as immigrants.

The Antetokounmpo brothers started their basketball careers playing for the Filathlitikos team in Zografou. Source: Clutchpoints.

They grew up selling merchandise in the streets of the capital in order to help their poor family, but playing basketball for the Filathlitikos team in Zografou changed their lives.

“With their donation they confirm that they have not forgotten the city which played a role in their basketball careers. And when the nightmare of the coronavirus is over, the municipality will honour Giannis and his brothers accordingly,” the Mayor of Zografou added.

The municipality announced that the masks will be immediately distributed to employees in the region and to vulnerable groups.

READ MORE: Giannis Antetokounmpo donates $100,000 to out-of-work stadium employees

European Parliament to offer free food and shelter to homeless and healthcare workers

Andriana Simos
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European Parliament to offer free food and shelter to homeless and healthcare workers

Chefs at the European Parliament will cook more than 1,000 meals a day to feed healthcare workers and the homeless in the Brussels region, the EP President David Sassoli announced on Wednesday. 

Mr Sassoli said the Parliament would also be making parts of their Brussels and Strasbourg buildings available to help house vulnerable people or patients in the fight against coronavirus.

“During this serious health emergency, we want to be close to those who suffer, to those who work tirelessly in our hospitals, to the city and people of Brussels, as well as those of Strasbourg and Luxembourg, who welcome us and who need our help today. Europe’s strength is in its ability to act in solidarity,” the EP President explained the decision in a video on Twitter.

According to Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, the Parliament’s building in Brussels could end up hosting up to 100 homeless people every night.

The move comes as homeless people become more vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic, as donations to shelters dry up and many public areas remain closed.

British comedians, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, travel for us in ‘The Trip To Greece’

Andriana Simos
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British comedians, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, travel for us in ‘The Trip To Greece’

Internationally-acclaimed British comedians, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, are back in action with their latest series of The Trip.

Directed by Michael Winterbottom, ‘The Trip to Greece‘ sees Coogan and Brydon retracing the steps of Homer’s Odysseus in only six days. Naturally, they spend much of their time enjoying fine dining, waxing philosophical and impersonating everyone that comes to mind.

British comedians, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, in ‘The Trip to Greece.’ Source: IFC Films.

At a time where we’re isolated in our homes — not to mention, bereft of many new productions out of Hollywood — the return of Coogan and Brydon couldn’t have been more timely. Seeing the two galavant across the Grecian countryside will be quite a feast for the eyes.

IFC Films released the first trailer for the film today, ahead of its May 22nd home-video release on YouTube and Google Play. The previous three films from the series are currently available for streaming on IFC Films Unlimited.

Watch the trailer here:

Nearly 149,000 migrants crossed border to enter Greece, Turkish defence minister says

Andriana Simos
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Nearly 149,000 migrants crossed border to enter Greece, Turkish defence minister says

Almost 149,000 asylum-seekers and other migrants have crossed Turkey’s northwestern border to enter Greece since February 28, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Wednesday.

“We have had 148,763 people crossing the Greek border since February 28,” Mr Akar said in a televised interview.

Thousands of migrants waiting at the Greek-Turkish border. Source: AFP/ Getty Images.

Turkey has been a key transit point for migrants aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Thousands of migrants had camped at Turkey’s border with Greece after Ankara declared in late February that it would no longer stop them from going to Europe, accusing the EU of not upholding its part of a 2016 refugee deal.

In response, Greece decided to suspend new asylum applications until April and summarily deport those arriving in last month’s surge.

This move continues to be criticised by human rights agencies and non-governmental organisations such as Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch.

Firefighters applaud outside Greek hospitals to show their gratitude to health workers [VIDEO]

Andriana Simos
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Firefighters applaud outside Greek hospitals to show their gratitude to health workers [VIDEO]

Hundreds of firefighters in Thessaloniki, Greece, lined up their fire brigades outside AHEPA University Hospital, turned on their emergency lights and started to applaud the medical staff who have been tirelessly offering treatment to COVID-19 patients.

The impressive gesture went on for minutes, with AHEPA doctors, nurses and paramedics going outside the hospital to see the firefighters pay tribute to their courageous efforts, and return their respects as well.

“We are here to offer moral support to medical and nursing staff. It is the least we can do to give them strength until we overcome this crisis, “ Spyros Varsamis, Head of the Fire Brigade in Northern Greece, said.

“Be strong, be healthy and we will be by your side. Thank you!”

For his part, the general manager of AHEPA, Panagiotis Panteliadis, also publicly thanked the hospital staff, as well as the firefighters for their sign of respect.

“It is a recognition of the hospital’s efforts, which, as a reference center for the virus, has been significantly burdened,” Mr Panteliadis to local media.

The touching event took place just hours after the Minister for Citizen Protection deployed police squads to Evaggelismos Hospital in Athens to “deal” with doctors and nurses demanding more protections while they are fighting the coronavirus.

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