The Ecumenical Patriarchate is giving new instructions in view of Holy and Great Week and as the world continues to be in a state of emergency due to the pandemic.
In particular, the Hierarchs of the Throne in the City met today and decided that from the Saturday of Lazarus and onwards, Divine Services will be held in one Church of each Archdiocesan District of the Archdiocese of Constantinople and in each of the adjacent Metropolises, always behind closed doors.
They also draw attention to the use of technology as it facilitates the pastoral work of the Church, especially under these present, difficult conditions, however, “abuse of this cannot be permitted.”
According to the relevant statement, it is recommended that the online broadcasting of these Divine Services be done only from one Church of each Diocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, “so as to prevent a new ethos of converting ecclesiastical rites into yet another televised spectacle.”
At the See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, televised and online broadcasting will only take place from the Patriarchal Church of the Phanar, where the services will be celebrated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the members of the Patriarchal Court.
Subsequently, in the Dioceses abroad, all remaining issues will be decided by the local hierarchs, always within the framework of the decisions and directives of the local Governments and Health Authorities.
At the Patriarchal Monasteries, as has been decided, all Divine Services will be celebrated normally by their Brotherhoods, without the attendance of pilgrims from outside.