LAST UPDATE: 15:50
The Church of Crete, whose Holy Synod has decided to continue its regular liturgies in the temples but without the presence of believers, is making drastic moves.
According to the announcement, the faithful are invited to carry on other dates the mysteries they have planned, such as weddings and baptisms. If they do not want to, the above mysteries will be held only in the presence of the families.
Visits to the island’s monasteries, where only members of the fraternities will hold the services, are also banned from now on.
“A key contribution to the spread of the pandemic cessation, besides others, is the avoidance of synchronization of people indoors. It is our duty, as things stand, to contribute to that. We urge all faithful people, of all ages, to abstain, for as long as necessary, from all overcrowding. ”
The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Church of Crete decided that the Holy Services of that period, in the Holy Temples of the parishes of Crete, would be celebrated without the participation of the churchgoers.
Also, on Sundays the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated from 7.00 to 8.30 am. Personal pilgrimage will be free, in line with what the competent state authorities have imposed.
Also, they prohibit all events and congregations in religious areas, whereas they do not inhibit the function of the welfare and charitable structures of the Archdiocese and the holy Metropolises of the Church of Crete, provided the ultimate application of protective and hygienic measures.
In fact, the Holy Synod explains that the coronavirus should not find sick and elderly people in physical weakness, and therefore believers who are facing such a difficulty are urged to observe a fast appropriate for their health.
“With these thoughts, the Church of Crete invites all the faithful in Crete to stay in their homes, intensify their personal prayer to God to overcome this crisis, in order for all of us to be able to return to the beauty of our common ritual life”.