The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece appears ready to offer its support towards persuading the faithful who have not yet been vaccinated for the Covid-19 virus, to do so.
This is apparently the view after members of the permanent Holy Synod of the Church of Greece convened for three consecutive days this week, and after their briefing regarding the vaccination program in the country by relevant Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias and top epidemiology professor Sotiris Tsiodras.
The Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, His Beatitude Ieronymos, thanked both men for their presence at the Holy Synod session and their briefing of the hierarchs.
Hierarchs of the Holy Synod agreed to provide more information to the faithful regarding the vaccines available against Covid-19, information that will be presented in an encyclical to be issued by the Church. Additionally, the Church of Greece has conveyed 14 questions to Prof. Tsiodras, who will be called upon to answer them in a simple and easy to comprehend manner for lay people.
Additionally, the spokesman of the Holy Synod, His Eminence Athenagoras, the Metropolitan of Ilion & Petroupoli, later clarified that the specific encyclical will be read out in churches across the country on Sunday, immediately after the Divine Liturgy. The Church of Greece is now awaiting Prof. Tsiodras’ answers.