Coronavirus: Cases Filed Against Priests, Mayor for Lockdown Violation

Greek authorities have filed charges against priests in Corfu and Athens for conducting Holy Liturgy and giving Holy Communion on Sunday, thus violating lockdown regulations for the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the same time, a case opened against Corfu Mayor Meropi Ydraiou for being present at Sunday’s Holy Liturgy at the island’s Church of Saint Spyridon.
The service was broadcast live by local television stations and at the end, Holy Communion was given as usual, as reported by corfupress.gr.

Despite the strict state measures that allow only two priests and two cantors for Holy Liturgy behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak, Metropolitan of Corfu Nektarios held the usual Sunday liturgy, followed by Holy Communion. According to the report, a total of three people received Communion during the liturgy.
In addition to the Corfu mayor, Municipal Council Member Dimitris Metallinos, several journalists, TV crews, representatives of local orchestras and additional priests were present at the church.
 
Meanwhile, charges were also filed against a priest in Koukaki, Athens who gave Communion to children and elderly at the back door of his church.
The Athens priest was clearly photographed giving Holy Communion to a child from the back door of the church.
In addition to violating the state-imposed lockdown, the two priests went against the Holy Synod’s own directive that the Liturgy will only be performed in churches which are closed to the public and no Communion will be given, as a preventive measure against infection from the Covid-19 coronavirus.