Church of Greece calls for strict observance of health safety restrictions on Epiphany Day on Wednesday

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos on Tuesday called on all Metropolitans, the heads of ecclesiastical districts, to help ensure the diligent, undeviating observance of all health safety restrictions during Epiphany Day church services on Wednesday.

Hieronymos conveyed his message to Metropolitans in an official synodical letter, according to Tuesday’s press release by the Church of Greece’s Standing Holy Synod.
Thus, the water blessing ceremonies traditionally carried out outdoors on Epiphany Day will, this year, be carried out indoors at churches, and there will be no public litanies or processions.

Additionally, Hieronymos will not make use of the Holy Synod’s special permission to transfer himself to any coastal area or sea waters for the purposes of performing such a religious ritual; the Holy Synod’s press release continued to underline that by this decision, Hieronymos wants “to give a good example.”

The Church of Greece’s statement emphasizes that “having a high sense of responsibility towards both God and people -since the start of the pandemic- it remains aligned with state institutions in the fight for the protection of public health, sets a positive example for the observance of health safety restrictions, and stands by the state’s efforts to reduce the pandemic’s impact on people’s lives.”

“A constant, open, and honest communication between Church and State is now necessary more than ever before, at the highest level, especially during this critical juncture,” it continued, and concluded that “the communication between the Prime Minister and the Archbishop can only be fruitful to the benefit of the nation.”

READ MORE: Churches to remain open for Divine Liturgy on the Epiphany despite govt edict; Archbishop will not officiate at Sanctification of the Waters service

— amna.gr

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