Christianity

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged the country's influential Orthodox Church on Tuesday to respect coronavirus restrictions during Epiphany celebrations on Jan. 6 after Synod leaders said they would defy the lockdown.

Today, 5 January is the Epiphany's Eve. It is believed that the night before the holiday itself has a strong magical charge and if you wish for something this night you will for sure receive it.

The holiday is associated with the faith in the magical and healing powers of water, its ability to "remember" and the people's reverence for water's life-giving properties.

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.

It is "inconceivaable" for the Greek Orthodox Church to be demanding an exemption from the nationwide lockdown to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany on January 6, opposition Movement for Change (KINAL) said in a statement on Monday.

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.

The decision was made during a Holy Synod extraordinary meeting

Communion in prayer, kindness of the heart and cooperation in good deeds can work wonders, turning fear into courage and hope, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said as he delivered the New Year's blessing service, the Akathist of our Lord Jesus Christ, at the Patriarchal Cathedral.

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vui, also attended the commemoration.
Vui first laid a wreath on the grave of the late Patriarch Irinej in the crypt of the Temple of Saint Sava.
After the holy liturgy, a memorial service will be held.

"Christianity as the world's largest religion is also most affected by violation of religious freedoms," says Petra Bosse-Huber, a bishop at the Protestant Church in Germany.

Underwater archaeological research has been continuing in the ancient basilica, which was discovered 20 meters off the İznik Lake in the northwestern province of Bursa's İznik district in 2014. The basilica is located at a depth of 1.5-2 meters.