Greek Orthodox in US told to avoid churches

The Orthodox Archdiocese of America has given its blessing to all among the faithful who, in these unprecedented times, choose not to attend church.

The Archdiocese explained that such a decision in no way constitutes a sin, but, on the contrary, is "an act of love and responsibility for the protection of one's self and their fellow human beings."

At an emergency teleconference to assess the latest data on the transmission of the coronavirus, the Holy Eparchial Synod decided that "for the benefit and protection of the faithful, and taking into account the recent scientific findings, we advise our faithful not to be exposed in places of public assembly (including attending church) during the next few weeks."

It is, indeed, "hopeful", that the Archdiocese of America, the numerically largest and, symbolically and in essence, most important of the Ecumenical...