LAST UPDATE: 17:20
The statement of Archbishop Eirinaios of Crete regarding the use of face mask inside the churches has caused a stir.
In his sermon at the service for the celebration of St. Titus in Heraklion, the Archbishop urged the faithful not to wear masks in the churches.
Shortly afterwards, the Archdiocese of Crete denied that Archbishop Eirinaios of Crete urged the faithful to take off the masks in the Church.
The Protosyncellus of the Archdiocese, Archimandrite Methodios Vernidakis, speaking to neakriti.gr, spoke of an immoral attack, saying characteristically: “The Archbishop of Crete, answering a question about the masks and those who react to their use, pointed out that whoever wants to, can take it off. He did not urge the faithful to take off the masks, none of this is true. Nor did he speak of an imprisoned faith, this statement is non-existent. Besides, the statements were made after the Divine Liturgy, where 98% of the believers wore a mask.”
The Protosyncellus of the Archdiocese added that “the Church of Crete remains firm in its position to date on the masks and the observance of protection measures.”
However, Archbishop Eirinaios made a statement on Creta24’s camera, according to which he does not seem to refute what was initially attributed to him.
In particular, when asked if he made this statement and why, he replied: “We are free in the church, we are not enslaved. At least inside the temple, we should not wear a face mask. Outside the temple, it is okay.”
You can hear the statement of the Archbishop of Crete in the following video (in Greek)