Churches in Greece will be open to the faithful for Holy Week services next week, however there will be attendance restrictions and services will be held earlier to conform with the government imposed curfew.
The decision comes despite Greece reporting a high number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Last year, Orthodox Easter services were cancelled.
All Easter services from Palm Sunday (April 25) to Holy Wednesday (April 28) will begin half an hour earlier, at 18:30. Holy Thursday service will begin at 17:30 and on Good Friday at 18:00.
Instead of the customary midnight Resurrection service on Easter Saturday (May 1), the liturgy will be held at 9 p.m.
Worshippers “must by no means be deprived of participation in the joy of the Resurrection,” normally celebrated with a midnight service late on Holy Saturday, the Holy Synod said.
Moreover, indoor attendance will be limited to one person per 25 square meters, a maximum of 100 people.
Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens discussed the measures with Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis earlier this week.
*More on GCT: Easter in Greece
