Ieronymos

Government open to new restrictions, if necessary, says minister

The Greek government may decide to impose additional restrictions, "even unexpectedly," to limit the spread of the coronavirus if it is deemed necessary, Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetritis said on Thursday.

"You cannot rule out any measure. If we need to ban activities again, we will do so if necessary," he told Skai radio station on Thursday morning.

Bishop fined for blessing the waters seaside

Ieronymos, Metropolitan Bishop of Egio and Kalavryta, in the Peloponnese, proceeded to bless the waters at the town of Egio, defying the instructions of the official Church.

He was accompanied by his predecessor, Amvrosios, a well-known extremist, who resigned in 2019, and two individuals who dove to retrieve a cross the bishop threw at sea.

Holy Synod to meet Monday

Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church has decided to convene the Holy Synod Monday after the government forced churches to close for a week, starting Sunday.

The closure means that the Epiphany, which commemorates Jesus' baptism, will not be celebrated this January 6 and priests will not conduct the customary blessing of the waters.

Second senior bishop dies of Covid-19

The Metropolitan Bishop of Kastoria, Seraphim, died from complications caused by Covid-19 at the age of 61 on Tuesday, becoming the second senior Greek cleric to succumb to the virus.

Seraphim tested positive in early December but as his health deteriorated, he was admitted to the 424 General Military Hospital of Thessaloniki, where he was intubated on December 20.

A good compromise

The compromise of allowing churches to open on important dates during the holidays has averted a serious crisis in Church-state relations. This is where they were headed, even though neither side wants tension.

Now, the unenviable task of implementing what was a political compromise rests with the priests of every parish.

Church leader leaves hospital, calls for ‘discipline’ with health rules

Archbishop Ieronymos was released from Athens' Evangelismos Hospital, where he has been undergoing treatment for Covid-19.

The 82-year-old church leader was admitted to hospital on November 19, a few days after testing positive for the novel coronavirus and coming down with a fever.

Ieronymos’ health condition ‘satisfactory’

The health condition of the head of the Orthodox Church of Greece, Archbishop Ieronymos, was described as "satisfactory" in a medical update issued by Athens' Evangelismos Hospital on Wednesday.

The 82-year-old archbishop was hospitalized in an augmented care unit of the hospital after being diagnosed with Covid-19 on November 19.

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