Greek, Cypriot Metropolitans and Priest Face Legal Trouble for Celebrating Services and Giving Holy Communion

Pravoslavie ^ | 4/15/20

[marshmallow]

Several more Orthodox clerics have come under fire this week for celebrating the Divine services and giving Holy Communion to the faithful—this time from the Greek and Cypriot Churches.

Greek authorities have opened a criminal case against His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, the Mayor of Corfu Merope Hydraiou, and Chairman of the Municipal Council Dimitrios Metallinos for violating the ban on holding religious services, for celebrating and attending Divine Liturgy for the Great Feast of Palm Sunday at the Church of St. Spyridon, report RIA-Novosti with reference to the Greek outlet Kerkya Simera.

The hierarch explained to the Prosecutor that the restrictions on services do not prohibit communing a few faithful, arguing that, “if we disconnect Holy Communion from the Sacrament of the Divine Liturgy, then we abolish the mission of the Church.”

He also explained that the extra people in the church were necessary for the 500-year-old annual procession with the relics of St. Spyridon, which took place inside the church because of the governmental restrictions.

His case will be dealt with by a special court that handles cases involving people caught in the act of a crime. About 20 people attended the service on Sunday and received Holy Communion.

[Pontiac]

Several more Orthodox clerics have come under fire this week for celebrating the Divine services and giving Holy Communion to the faithful—this time from the Greek and Cypriot Churches.

They might be candidates for White Martyrdom.

It is minor persecution but persecution none the less.