A deputy minister ordered that charges be brought against the Metropolitan of Corfu and the Diapontia Island, Nektarios for as well as officials and other clerics attending a televised liturgy on Sunday against strict anti Covid-19 regulations ordered by the government and the Holy Synod.
The Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crisis Management, Nikos Hardalias, ordered that a case against the bishop as well as three local government officials, including the Mayor of Central Corfu, Meropi Ydraiou, and municipal council head Dimitris Metallinos, after footage showed three people receiving communion which is deemed to pose a high risk practise in spreading the Covid-19 virus.
According to ekathemerini.com, a Corfu prosecutor, Dyonis Lambridis, said a case file had been sent to the police and would be executed under the “aftoforo” law that allows for a quick hearing if an arrest is made within 48 hours of a crime.
As part of its strategy to combat the spread of Covid-19, the Greek government banned all church services. Services that will be permitted during Orthodox Holy Week must be held behind closed doors with just two priests and two cantors to officiate the services which can be broadcasted.
Greekreporter.com reported that Sunday’s service that was held at St Spyridon in Corfu had included the local government officials, as well as a number of TV crew members, journalists and members of a philharmonic orchestra.
According to keeptalkinggreece.com, Fr Nektarios saw the local prosecutor on Monday, 13 March. The bishop’s lawyer said the charges were on a misdemeanour and a court trial date had been set for May 25.
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The mayor, who is one of the people may also be facing charges for violating the lockdown laws apologised on Monday for being at the church. She claimed she did not attend the service but took part in the process of Agios Spyridon inside the church. She said she had stayed in the church for a few minutes and had kept a safe distance.
In a televised message on 31 March, Ms Ydraiou had urged the people of Corfu to stay at home during the lockdown – see below.
Meanwhile, a priest of Agios Nikolaos Church in Koukaki, Athens also caused controversy when he was photographed giving communion to a child from the back door of the church.
Deputy minister Hardalias said of the two incidents on Sunday: “What happened today in churches in Koukaki and Corfu is a violation of the laws and orders of the Holy Synod and endangers the lives of citizens and public health. I contacted the Minister of Justice in order to ask the Prosecutor’s Office to initiate legal proceedings.”