A Greek government spokesman on Saturday announced that the annual Sanctification of the Waters and tossing of the Cross ceremonies by Orthodox hierarchs and clerics on Jan. 6 – the splendorous feast day of the Epiphany or Theophany – will not take place outdoors, but only within cathedrals and chapels and without the presence of worshippers.
The abrupt announcement came as part of stricter Covid-19-related lockdown restrictions for another week in the east Mediterranean country.
The presence of worshippers during Church-going will again be allowed after Jan. 11.
Initially, the Greek government had announced that Church-going would be allowed during the great services of Christmas Day, New Year’s and the Epiphany, albeit with strict social distancing protocols in place and with the mandatory wearing of face masks.