The restrictive measures in places of worship of all religions and denominations are extended until Sunday, December 6, 2020, by a Joint Ministerial Decision.
It is reminded that the religious services are performed exclusively by religious ministers and the necessary support staff without the presence of other persons.
The participation of the religious minister and 9 people, including those who take care of the burial, is allowed in the funerals and related burial events.
Religious ministers and chanters are exempted from the obligatory use of a mask exclusively during the religious service.
It should be noted that the joint ministerial decision does not refer to the “individual prayer” but it seems that it is not allowed since the citizens will not be able to enter the churches for any reason.
Those who do not comply with the measures in places of worship will be fined.
As for the monasteries and other places in Greece, they will not receive the public and the faithful in organized or individual pilgrimage visits.
The worship life of the holy monasteries can be continued at the discretion of the Abbot or the Abbess and with the approval of the local metropolitan, under the strict condition that no one else will participate beyond the monastic brotherhood with a maximum of 10 members of the monastic brotherhood.
Regarding Mount Athos, the ban on visits and all the necessary precautionary measures for the monasteries of the Athonite State are decided by the civil governor of Mount Athos with the prior notification of the Holy Community.
The above decision prohibits the entry of all visitors to the Athos peninsula or extends the current ban for the time necessary.
The civil governor ensures that all protection measures are implemented properly, whether they are taken at local or State level.
