The Greek government, as first reported by the Orthodoxia news agency, extended temporary coronavirus-related restrictions against the presence of people at places of worship around the country until April 20, which falls on Bright Monday, the day after Easter Sunday.
The Great and Holy Week for Easter (Pascha) in the predominately Christian Orthodox country is the peak of religious attendance, culminating in the evening of Good Saturday at the highly devotional and celebratory service of the Resurrection of the Lord.
Palm Sunday on the Orthodox calendar for 2020 falls on April 12, with Easter Sunday a week later on April 19.
The restrictions apply to all faiths, confessions and dogmas, and cover all types of services, rituals and rites, regardless of the size and capacity of a place of worship.
Services, without the presence of worshippers, can be held in closed places of worship, with at most four people (priests and cantors, for instance) in attendance.
Services are prohibited in chapels and sanctuaries within private property and buildings.
Additionally, pilgrims and worshippers cannot visit monasteries, although services for a monastic community’s resident monks or nuns is allowed.