Greek government nixes plans to deliver Holy Fire to parishioners’ homes

Athens, April 9, 2020

Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias. Photo: romfea.gr Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias. Photo: romfea.gr     

Mayor Giannis Konstantatos of Elliniko–Argyroupoli in the South Athens regional unit recently announced plans for a team of volunteers to deliver the Holy Fire to the homes of all interested citizens, as OrthoChristian reported yesterday.

“May the light of the Resurrection be the hope for a new beginning,” he stated. “Our events aims to strengthen us in the fight we’re all fighting by staying at home in order to break the chain of the pandemic.”

Other municipalities then expressed an interest in doing the same.

However, the Greek government has put an end to their plans.

“The home delivery of the Holy Light will not be allowed by local municipalities,” Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias said during a press briefing yesterday, reports Romfea.

“There is risk in taking the Holy Light throughout the municipalities,” Hardalias said. “I contacted the president of the Central Union of Greek Municipalities and told him not to allow such a thing to happen.”

“We cannot allow the transfer of the Holy Light. The image of hundreds of municipal employees on the streets poses a risk of spreading the virus,” the Deputy Minister explained.

The service of the Holy Fire in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre will be held on April 18, Holy Saturday, without any pilgrims. The Fire will then be carefully delivered throughout the world.

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4/9/2020

See also
One Greek town planning to deliver Holy Fire to every home One Greek town planning to deliver Holy Fire to every home One Greek town planning to deliver Holy Fire to every home One Greek town planning to deliver Holy Fire to every home
In an effort to spread Paschal joy at a time when people are suffering and are forced to remain inside their houses, unable to go to church, and in an effort to prevent mass gatherings outside churches on the night of the Resurrection, one Greek mayor has determined to bring the light of God to every home. Greek state grants Church’s request to celebrate Holy Week and Pascha behind closed doors Greek state grants Church’s request to celebrate Holy Week and Pascha behind closed doors Greek state grants Church’s request to celebrate Holy Week and Pascha behind closed doors Greek state grants Church’s request to celebrate Holy Week and Pascha behind closed doors
According to the new decision, up to four people will be allowed inside each church, including the priest, an altar server, and one or two chanters. Each parish itself will be responsible to enforce the state’s measures and social distancing. More than 100 parishioners fined for violating quarantine to go to church in Greece More than 100 parishioners fined for violating quarantine to go to church in Greece
More than 100 people were fined in two separate incidences over the weekend in Greece for violating the state-mandated quarantine to go to church. Greek Church to publicly celebrate Pascha on leavetaking of feast in May, donates $160,000+ to fight coronavirus Greek Church to publicly celebrate Pascha on leavetaking of feast in May, donates $160,000+ to fight coronavirus Greek Church to publicly celebrate Pascha on leavetaking of feast in May, donates $160,000+ to fight coronavirus Greek Church to publicly celebrate Pascha on leavetaking of feast in May, donates $160,000+ to fight coronavirus
While the Greek Orthodox Church has officially petitioned the state to at least allow clergy to celebrate Holy Week and Paschal services behind closed doors, the Holy Synod decided yesterday to transfer the public celebration of Pascha to the leavetaking of the feast on the night of May 26-27, by which time, God-willing, the churches will have reopened. Greek Metropolitan of Mesogaia to authorities: Even the soviets didn’t ban worship behind closed doors Greek Metropolitan of Mesogaia to authorities: Even the soviets didn’t ban worship behind closed doors Greek Metropolitan of Mesogaia to authorities: Even the soviets didn’t ban worship behind closed doors Greek Metropolitan of Mesogaia to authorities: Even the soviets didn’t ban worship behind closed doors
“The soviet regime fought against religion, drove out the Church, destroyed churches, and killed clergy, but it did not forbid worship behind closed doors. Our government has done this,” the Greek hierarch laments. Greek Church petitions to be allowed to serve Liturgy, lawyers seeking to annul order to ban Church services Greek Church petitions to be allowed to serve Liturgy, lawyers seeking to annul order to ban Church services Greek Church petitions to be allowed to serve Liturgy, lawyers seeking to annul order to ban Church services Greek Church petitions to be allowed to serve Liturgy, lawyers seeking to annul order to ban Church services
Currently, only emergency services such as funerals are allowed, as well as individual church visits for private prayer.
Comments
Stephen4/9/2020 9:35 pm
I'm reminded of the parable of the laborers who killed the lord's son. With the killing, they lost the vineyard the lord had given them to work. Anyone participating in this coronahoax, especially "good citizen Orthodox", is losing the vineyard. They are trying to kill truth, have chosen the secular lie over truth. They are rejecting the cornerstone. They will fall on it, or it will fall on them. But they have lost.
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