Metropolitan Paisios of Leros, Kalymnos and Astypalaia announced today his decision to suspend the Holy Services of the Great Lent and the Salutations to the Theotokos over the coronavirus.
It is noted that the Metropolises of the Dodecanese belong to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and Metropolitan Paisios is a member of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate.
Metropolitan Paisios characteristically states that “it grieves him to” announce his decision, which he wishes to be respected and “regarded as a virtue of obedience and humility”, since “the Orthodox Church does not take absences, has the freedom of presence.”
It is also noted that his decision regarding the Divine Liturgies on Sunday will be announced soon.
He also closes the entrance to the Holy Monasteries and the Hermitages, leaving it “to the discretion of the priests the opening the Holy Temples from 9 to 12 in the morning, in case a believer wishes to light a candle and pray for a short time.”
Source: ANA-MPA