Churches allowed to open for Epiphany services despite lockdown ban

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.

Not all churches opened their doors to the faithful during service but, in those that did, congregations were limited from 25 to 50 persons, for the largest churches, and, in some cases of overflow, the faithful were allowed in, a few at a time, for private prayers after the service was over.

As per a previous agreement between the Greek Church and the government, the traditional blessing of the waters conducted each year on the Epiphany, on January 6, took place inside the churches and not in the open, in rivers and beaches, as customary.

The Orthodox Church celebrates Jesus' baptism during the Epiphany. 

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece had reacted...