The Standing Holy Synod of the Church of Greece met today after the announcement of the Prime Minister about the gradual opening of the temples and the conditional participation of the faithful in the Divine Liturgy.
The SHS is pleased that the Archbishop’s request for the opening of the temples has been heard, although it expected faithful to be able to return to the churches from the first day of the lifting of the measures, on 4 May. However, the Synod considers this period as “a chance for better preparation, under the current health terms and conditions, on the planning of the performance of the Holy Services with the participation of the faithful.” To this end, they state that they are already preparing relevant proposals for the State.
Among other things, the SHS decided to lift the “embargo” on the Archpriests who wanted to make a public statement. Urged them, however, whenever they wish to address the public authorities, to do so “according to the ecclesiastical order and ethics, through the Holy Synod.”
The Standing Holy Synod also emphasized its unanimous decision regarding the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece which will not meet, since the Government has already accepted the request for the opening of the temples.
It also did not fail to mention once more the issue of the Holy Communion which was characterized as “non-negotiable”.
The meeting took place, as it can be seen from the photos, in the large hall of the Hierarchy in order to observe the necessary distances between the Hierarchs.
