Protests and reactions of residents and visitors were provoked by the priest’s announcement on the non-use of face mask inside the Church of Saint Georgios in Florina, Greece, describing it as disrespect and lack of faith.
Speaking to ERT, Father Anastasios stressed that his announcement is in line with the doctrine of our church. As he said, according to enikos.gr invoking ERT reportage, his goal is to inform the faithful that the church is a blessed place and the coronavirus cannot be transmitted inside the church, clarifying that he will not forbid anyone to enter the church or ask anyone to leave the church because of using a face mask.
On his part, Metropolitan Theoklitos of Florina, Prespes and Eordaia gave permission to the priest not to officiate the services from August 25 onwards in order to avoid sensationalism and other protests.
