The center-right Greek government issued an uncharacteristically firm reaction on Monday afternoon to an earlier announcement by the Church of Greece, which said its metropolitans (bishops) and clerics would not abide by a decision to keep worshipers out of places of worship on Wednesday, the feast of the Epiphany.
“The law cannot be implemented piecemeal, whereby anyone who disagrees merely ignores it. We hope the Church realizes the crucial period for society, as it has responsibly done up until today. Implementation of the preventative measures and precautions is an obligation, as well as an act of social solitary and responsibility of us all,” the government stated.
The response by the government side also said that constant consultations have been held since the advent of the pandemic, reminding that services with worshipers were allowed on New Year’s Day and Christmas.
A relevant civil defense minister on Friday said services on the Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas, including the usually outdoor sanctification of the waters ceremony, would be held only indoors and without the presence of worshippers – all part of stricter public assembly measures in place until at least Jan. 11.
