Churches are open on Orthodox Sundays.

Churches across the country will be open to the faithful on Orthodox Sunday. According to the new measures announced, services will also be allowed in a strict framework for the celebration of the Annunciation (March 25) and for the Second Salute of the Virgin (March 26).

According to Nikos Hardalias, “it was decided to carry out a service in the cathedral of each Municipality, with a ratio of 1 believer for every 25 square meters and a limit of 20 believers and with the mandatory use of a mask, as well as a mandatory test under the responsibility of the Holy Metropolis for priests and singers the following three religious festivals “.

In a statement, the Church of Greece declares: “Next Sunday, March 21, 2021, the first Sunday of Lent, the restoration of the Holy Icons is orthodoxly celebrated, which was established in 843 by the Empress Theodora, her son Michael III. And the Patriarch of Constantinople Methodius the Confessor.

Taking into account the special circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic, it determined that during the established synodal Divine Liturgy, all prescribed sanitary provisions must be observed. The Blessed Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece, Mr. Ieronymos, will preside over the Divine Liturgy and only two Synodical Metropolitans will participate: the Kifissia, Maroussi and Oropos Mr. Kyrillos and the Glyfadas and Vlyas, Glyfados, Vlinos, Ellinikos, two priests and deacons . The solemnity of the day will be in charge of His Eminence the Synodal Metropolitan of Ilio, Acharnes and Saint Petersburg, Mr. Atenágoras.

“Before the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, a part of the” Synod of Orthodoxy “will be read during the tradition and order of the Church, in memory of the event of the Restoration of sacred icons.”
The President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, will attend the eulogy tomorrow that will take place in the Diocese of Athens.