In the Council of State, the supreme Greek court, three lawyers appealed against the joint ministerial decision which provides, from 13 December 2020 to 7 January 2021, for the performance of religious services and other ecclesiastical acts with restrictions.
The lawyers claim in the applications that the ministerial decision in question is unconstitutional and contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
In particular, they ask the Council of State to issue an interim order to “freeze”, suspend and annul this joint ministerial decision which provides for the performance of religious ceremonies, etc., exclusively by religious officials and the necessary auxiliary staff, without the presence of believers”.
According to the lawyers, the contested joint ministerial decision violates a number of constitutional provisions, such as articles 3, 4, 5, 11 and 13, articles 14 and 29 of the ECHR, as well as article 1 of the Charter of the Church of Greece.
Finally, they state that the disputed ministerial decision hinders the practice of their religious duties, something that causes them irreparable moral damage, which consists in intense sadness and inability to develop their personality.
