Easter church services will be held outside this year

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov met on April 9 at the Holy Synod with Patriarch Neophyte and the Metropolitans of the Synod. They discussed security measures during the forthcoming Palm Sunday and Easter holidays and prevention of the spread of the coronavirus infection.

Metropolitan Gavrail of Lovech summarized the decisions of the Holy Synod:

• Due to the epidemiological situation and the declared state of emergency in the country and due to the fact that the Holy Fire was preserved in the Bulgarian Patriarchate last year, the Synod recommends that the government flight from Tel Aviv that transfers the Holy Fire and back should not be undertaken and the funds allocated for transport costs should be diverted to combat coronavirus. The Holy Fire will be taken in places where it is preserved;

• On Palm Sunday, churches will not give willow and flowers to worshipers According to the Holy Synod, this is not a small compromise, but the most important thing is to hold a Holy Liturgy, they believe;

• This year, Easter service will start outside the churches. Measures will be taken to keep people at a safe distance;

• Icons are constantly disinfected in temples, and mats with disinfectants will be put at the entrances of the churches. It is recommended that worshipers wear protective face masks and be at a safe distance from each other;

• On Good Friday, people will not pass under the table. The Synod proposed that a shroud be held and people pass under it.

Prime Minister Borissov stressed that the churches and monasteries have not been closed during the state of emergency. There was an assurance from the clergy that all quarantine measures are being followed in the temples. A large number of masks are provided to be given to those who do not have any.

Borissov urged Bulgarians not to go to the churches for the upcoming feasts in order not to breach the emergency measures. Ministry of Interior officials will assist where possible to make sure the distance between people is observed.

"I urge Bulgarians not to go to churches and monasteries at this time, but the bishops have told me that there are so many people who are in despondency, despair and there are thousands who go to the church as part of the tradition. I can urge them not to go. Churches will perform liturgies, bells will be ringing, the trust and power of the people is very important and every bishop committed to ensure all hygiene and physical distance measures are observed. They themselves will call for compliance with all these measures," Borissov stressed. Only those who are in great need should go to the temples, he noted.

The PM added that there was not a single Easter he had not attended church. This year however he will not go, not because he believes less, but because he wants to set a personal example.

He added that the public broadcaster BNT will provide signal to all TV channels that want to broadcast the liturgy live.

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