Orthodox priest arrested in Greece for holding mass during coronavirus lockdown

[danieldemol]

‘An orthodox priest was arrested in Greece on Saturday after celebrating mass in a church, following the suspension of religious office ordered by the country during the coronavirus outbreak...

...
On Monday, the powerful Church of Greece, which had not been expressly asked to close by the government, decided to suspend mass and keep churches open only for "individual prayers".

The Education and Religion ministry then called on Thursday for the suspension of "all religious celebrations in all churches, except for funerals and individual prayers".

Since Thursday, 222 violations of the government's measures have been reported across Greece and 233 people have been arrested, according to a statement from the Greek police.

Most violations were for cafés, restaurants, hair salons and other shops, which must remain closed, the police document, cited by AFP, said.’

Read more here: https://www.euronews.com/2020/03/22...-for-holding-mass-during-coronavirus-lockdown

 

[exchemist]

‘An orthodox priest was arrested in Greece on Saturday after celebrating mass in a church, following the suspension of religious office ordered by the country during the coronavirus outbreak...

...
On Monday, the powerful Church of Greece, which had not been expressly asked to close by the government, decided to suspend mass and keep churches open only for "individual prayers".

The Education and Religion ministry then called on Thursday for the suspension of "all religious celebrations in all churches, except for funerals and individual prayers".

Since Thursday, 222 violations of the government's measures have been reported across Greece and 233 people have been arrested, according to a statement from the Greek police.

Most violations were for cafés, restaurants, hair salons and other shops, which must remain closed, the police document, cited by AFP, said.’

Read more here: Coronavirus: Greek priest arrested for holding mass during lockdown

It does not say whether the church was open at the time or whether anyone was present other than the priest.

Catholic priests are supposed to celebrate mass every day but they can do that anywhere and by themselves. Our local church in London live-streamed mass yesterday, said in an empty church, for the devotion of any parishioners who wanted.

So it's not clear to me, yet, that this priest was necessarily being an idiot. Though he may have been.

 

[danieldemol]

It does not say whether the church was open at the time or whether anyone was present other than the priest.

Catholic priests are supposed to celebrate mass every day but they can do that anywhere and by themselves. Our local church in London live-streamed mass yesterday, said in an empty church, for the devotion of any parishioners who wanted.

So it's not clear to me, yet, that this priest was necessarily being an idiot. Though he may have been.

Interesting point. I suppose it could have been a mass of one, although I don’t know what the police are like in Greece, whether they would bother to arrest for a nominal mass of one or not.

 

[Regiomontanus]

‘An orthodox priest was arrested in Greece on Saturday after celebrating mass in a church, following the suspension of religious office ordered by the country during the coronavirus outbreak...

...
On Monday, the powerful Church of Greece, which had not been expressly asked to close by the government, decided to suspend mass and keep churches open only for "individual prayers".

The Education and Religion ministry then called on Thursday for the suspension of "all religious celebrations in all churches, except for funerals and individual prayers".

Since Thursday, 222 violations of the government's measures have been reported across Greece and 233 people have been arrested, according to a statement from the Greek police.

Most violations were for cafés, restaurants, hair salons and other shops, which must remain closed, the police document, cited by AFP, said.’

Read more here: Coronavirus: Greek priest arrested for holding mass during lockdown

IMHO, this is precisely the time when churches should not be shutting their doors. I agree with the sentiments about this topic expressed by the (Eastern Orthodox) priest yesterday in the latest episode of this podcast:

Light of the East

Yeah yeah, social distancing. But I think we can do both.

 

[danieldemol]

IMHO, this is precisely the time when churches should not be shutting their doors. I agree with the sentiments about this topic expressed by the (Eastern Orthodox) priest yesterday in the latest episode of this podcast:

Light of the East

Yeah yeah, social distancing. But I think we can do both.

Judging by what the article said about the church of Greece the churches are not shutting their doors, just suspending mass.

 

[Regiomontanus]

Judging by what the article said about the church of Greece the churches are not shutting their doors, just suspending mass.

Right. I think mass should continue (with some precautions). The sentiment I mentioned though, discussed in that podcast (about halfway in), was about Eastern Catholic services everywhere.

 

[danieldemol]

Right. I think mass should continue (with some precautions). The sentiment I mentioned though, discussed in that podcast (about halfway in), was about Eastern Catholic services everywhere.

What sort of precautions, would they drink out of seperate cups like some modern Christian groups do? (I’m not allowed to watch your podcast till tomorrow sorry)

 

[Regiomontanus]

What sort of precautions, would they drink out of seperate cups like some modern Christian groups do? (I’m not allowed to watch your podcast till tomorrow sorry)

Sure, things like that. Stand a bit further apart too (in the Eastern
Orthodox tradition congregants stand!).

 

[Sirona]

It does not say whether the church was open at the time or whether anyone was present other than the priest.

Catholic priests are supposed to celebrate mass every day but they can do that anywhere and by themselves. Our local church in London live-streamed mass yesterday, said in an empty church, for the devotion of any parishioners who wanted..

I agree with this. In Germany, Masses and Protestant services are broadcasted from empty churches. For example, EWTN Germany changed their program and now broadcasts several live Masses a day.

 

[Lyndon]

God does not promote stupidity, congregating in churches during a pandemic of deadly potential is pure stupidity, even Jesus could not possible support that.

 

[Howard Is]

even Jesus

tsk tsk !

 

[Left Coast]

Interesting point. I suppose it could have been a mass of one, although I don’t know what the police are like in Greece, whether they would bother to arrest for a nominal mass of one or not.

As I recall, in Orthodoxy you can't have a Liturgy with one person. Congregants have to be present. Also, they don't call it "Mass," which is a Roman Catholic term. It's Divine Liturgy.