site.btaHoly Fire Flight Cancelled National TV to Air Live Palm Sunday, Easter Services

April 9 (BTA) - The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church decided on Thursday to cancel a traditional flight to Tel Aviv, Israel, and back for the Holy Fire and contribute the funds saved in this way to the fight against the coronavirus, Metropolitan Gavriil of Lovech told a news briefing at the Council of Ministers after Prime MInister Borissov met with Patriarch Neophyte and the metropolitans at the Synod Palace earlier in the day.

Gavriil also said that Bulgarian Orthodox Church priests will not be handing out willow twigs and flowers on Palm Sunday as usual.

Borissov said that the Bulgarian National Television will be airing live all liturgies on Palm Sunday and Easter. He assured the media that clergymen's aides will be assisting the police to organize the upcoming events in an orderly fashion.

The idea is that people should watch the services without leaving their homes, they would thus be able to worship and observe the holidays observing the quarantine, the PM explained. On behalf of the Government and the national coronavirus task force, he called on people to stay home and attend their church or cathedral in person only as a last resort.

The clergy and the police will join forces in setting up safety arrangements for every church and monastery, so that the congregation are protected and order is maintained. Borissov urged churchgoers to wear masks and keep social distance.

The Prime Minister said he had talked with Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov on Thursday morning. At this point, three scenarios are considered for marking St George's Day (also Bulgarian Army Day, May 6), depending on the COVID-19 situation. Borissov said that a final decision about the celebrations will be made on April 30. NV/MT
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