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Greek Church Demands Government Ease Controls on Religious Services

Anthee Carassava

   ATHENS - Ready or not, Greece is opening back up. But it is not
   happening all at once, as the government plans to lift coronavirus
   restrictions in phases, keeping a ban on religious services to contain
   new outbreaks of COVID. The plan has infuriated the Greek Orthodox
   Church and it is now demanding preference over businesses like hair and
   nail salons.

   The standoff comes as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
   announces a gradual easing of draconian lockdown measures imposed here
   since early March.

   Government officials tell VOA, schools and small-size businesses will
   be among the first to open next week. Church doors will also be
   unlocked but only to allow followers to enter and pray on their own,
   not in large numbers and not for religious services.

   The country's archbishop has sent a stern letter to the prime minister,
   pressing him to reconsider.

   But on Tuesday, the Church's spokesperson, the Metropolitan of
   Nafpaktos, Hierotheos, accused the government of staging what he called
   a coup against the country's religious authority.

   "What do they really think the Church is?" he asked in front of
   reporters Tuesday. "Do they consider it like any other supermarket or
   union or nail and hair salon?"

   The Church, he says, has been a guiding force for the nation and part
   of Greek tradition for more than 200 years.

   It's unlikely the prime minister will back down from his plans, aides
   say.

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