Τhe issue of the ongoing vaccination program in Greece to protect against the Covid-19 pandemic was discussed on Tuesday by members of the permanent Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece, presided by the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, His Beatitude Ieronymos.
Hierarchs were briefed over the matter by Greek Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias and epidemiology professor Sotiris Tsiodras, especially over the current situation with the pandemic in the country and the course of the vaccination program.
In a later statement to reporters, Prof. Tsiodras noted that “… Respectfully, we asked the Holy Fathers to support and assist this effort to fight the pandemic.”
In a related development, speaking during an earlier television appearance, the Holy Synod’s spokesman, the Metropolitan of Ilion, Archarnon and Petroupoli, His Eminence Athenagoras, reminded that the Church is a “…place of unity, not division.”
His response came in answer to a question regarding whether Church-goers will be required to present a vaccination certificate in order to enter a place of worship.
Photos: Christos Mponis / Εurokinissi
