Church of Greece

Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Nigeria Alexandros recently tested positive for the novel coronavirus, just moments before boarding an airplane from Lagos to Athens. "I self-quarantined for 14 days and I must admit I was frightened. Say what you like, but we are also human, and fear can strike deep in our bones," he tells Kathimerini.

The Greek government relented and allowed limited attendance at churches celebrating the feast of the Epiphany Wednesday, reversing a ban on attendance designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Archbishop Ieronymos on Tuesday called on all Metropolitans, the heads of ecclesiastical districts, to help ensure the diligent observance of all health safety restrictions during Epiphany Day church services on Wednesday.

The Church of Greece must "take responsibility" for its decisions and "contribute to the great effort to contain the impact of the pandemic," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is quoted as telling Archbishop Ieronymos on Tuesday.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece is defying the government's decision to keep churches out of bounds for worshippers during Wednesday's celebration of the Epiphany, with the government responding that no one can decide to observe only the laws they like, and setting the stage for a possible clash.

The Greek Church cannot "cherry-pick" among the health rules and restrictions that have been imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus, government sources said on Monday, in response to an announcement by the Holy Synod that it intends to defy a government closure of all places of worship to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany on January 6.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece on Monday issued a statement expressing its opposition to the government's decision to impose a stricter lockdown this week that includes the closure of all churches and other places of worship.

Archbishop Ieronymos on Thursday thanked the medical and nursing staff throughout the country who have been on the frontline in the battle against the coronavirus.

Citing the preservation of health and life as its priority, the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, which convened on Tuesday, urged dioceses, parishes, monasteries and institutions, as well as the clergy and laity, to strictly observe the legislative measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, inside and outside churches during the holiday season.

The only disagreements within the Church of Greece regarding the government's limits on services during the festive period due to the coronavirus pandemic is over the way it should respond, as the clergy are all in agreement that the decision must change.