“In the crucial first weeks of March, however, when the Greek government was taking early bold steps to stem the spread of the virus, including restricting attendance at religious services, its policy found a strong supporter in the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Restrictions to religious services raised sensitive questions about balancing religious freedom and public health and stirred identity politics in Greece as in many countries around the world. The question of church attendance was a litmus test for the ability of the government to implement its anti-Covid-19 pandemic plans. The Patriarchate’s support proved crucial, given the ambivalent position of the Church of Greece,” writes Ioannis N. Grigoriadis in his blog post for the Seesox Diaspora project at Oxford University.
You can find the article in English here.
