On April 8, the online edition “Georgia and world” published an article, headlined “Who and why wants to defeat the church more than the “Covid-19”?”, whose author is Bakur Svanidze. Svanidze writes that after the spread of the coronavirus, an “advanced” part of Georgian society and the “layer of liberasts” have primarily demanded the closure of the Orthodox Churches. However, this part of the society has not addressed other religious denominations with such request.
Bakur Svanidze: “Neither Catholic parishioners, nor the synagogue, mosque and any other religious denomination or movement have been mentioned.”
Criticism of Orthodox Church from the public is caused by the fact that the Synod did not take into account the situation in the country concerning the coronavirus, did not change the rule of communion and despite the state of emergency, plans to hold Easter liturgy by breaking law, during the curfew hours. In contrast to the Orthodox Church, the denominations listed by Bakur Svanidze took into account the recommendations on combating coronavirus and changed the rules of worship yet in March.
Catholic Church in Georgia
On March 16, Giuseppe Pasotto, the leader of the Administration of the Latin Catholic Apostolic Church of the Transcaucasia, issued a decree, according to which the rule of communion was changed. On March 21, several supplements were made to the decree of March 16, according to which meetings were banned in the temples after March 22. In addition, Pasotto urged parishioners to stay home. He stated in a decree of April 2 that the services were postponed or would be held in the absence of the parishioners. Specifically, the decree referred to the Great Seven and provided recommendations for parishioners on the celebrations before and after Easter.
Muslim community in Georgia
On March 19, the Administration of Muslims of all Georgia announced a decision to temporarily suspend prayers in mosques. As Tariel Nakaidze, the Deputy Chairman of the Georgian Muslims’ Union, stated in a conversation with “Myth Detector”, the decision was made jointly by the Administration of Muslims of all Georgia and all other Islamic religious organizations acting in Georgia, including Muslim Union and the initiative group for a new mosque in Batumi. According to Nakaidze, since March 20, Friday prayer and other prayers in groups have not been held in any mosque. He also explained that according to the Islamic teachings, creating a danger to human health is the greatest sin.
Tariel Nakaidze: “The decision was published on March 19 and since March 20, Friday prayer and other prayers in groups have not been held in any mosque. The decision was necessitated by the global pandemic and the problems associated with crowding. According to Islam, human health is above worship. Especially, when it concerns another person’s health. Since it is known that carriers and spreaders of the virus may be the people, who may not have any symptoms… we were guided by these recommendations and made this decision. It was also our civic duty.”
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Evangelical Baptist Church
Rusudan Gotsiridze, the bishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia told us that changes in the liturgy were adopted on March 8 and the rule of communion was changed. After a gathering of more than 10 people was banned, the Evangelical Baptist Church urged parishioners not to attend the service. The Palm Sunday service, according to Rusudan Gotsiridze, was held in a closed church, only in the presence of priests, while the liturgy was broadcast live. Gotsiridze told us that the worship would be held in this format during the week of Easter as well.
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Georgian Orthodox Church
At the meeting on March 20, the Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church adopted a protocol, according to which neither the rule of communion using a shared spoon will be changed, nor the gathering for worship will be restricted. According to Archdeacon Demetre, despite the curfew hours established to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Easter liturgy in Trinity Cathedral will be held in the usual way. The Metropolitan Nikoloz of Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo also said that the liturgy will be held and expressed his hope that parishioners will attend it.
Coronavirus and Churches of the World
In a decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople dated 11March, except personal prayers, holding all religious services and ceremonies was suspended in the churches until the end of March. The date of public celebration of Easter has also been postponed by the Church of Hellas and only clergymen will participate in the liturgy.
Basing on Reuters, Radio Liberty writes that in Jerusalem, only 10 people were allowed to pray near the Western Wall, who should keep a distance 2 meters from each other.
By Israeli Government’s decision, Easter ceremonies will be held in a new, limited format. Due to the threat of coronavirus, up to 10 leaders of various Christian denominations will attend the Holy Fire ceremony on April 18.
According to the information of April 2, 12 out of 15 local Orthodox churches of the world made the decision to held worship in the church without parishioners.
Pope Francis held Easter Sunday Mass on April 12 in an empty St. Peter’s Basilica and gave his traditional address to parishioners. He called for solidarity and unity.
Source: nbcnews.com
By Saudi Arabia’s decision of March 19, with a view to prevent the spread of coronavirus, pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina was banned.
Prepared by Teona Sekhniashvili
Myth Detector Lab
