Metropolitan Onufriy Tells Believers They Can Stand and Pray Outside Churches

Although he was supposed to ask them to stay at home.

Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate Onufriy recorded a video address in which he did not call on people to stay at home for Easter, but said that everyone who comes to the service will pray outside. This is reported by the UOC press service on its website.

"This year the Holy Easter holiday is special for us because of the viral disease that is spreading across the globe. Therefore, I inform you, dear brothers and sisters, that Easter services will be held in the churches," Onufriy said.

For those who are ill, the metropolitan announced broadcasts of the services on television channels, while others, he said, will be able to go to churches for the holiday: "I want to comfort those who will stay at home because of illness or other reasons: you will not be abandoned, you will be able to watch the Easter service on television. Those believers who come not to attend the service will stand and pray outside, observing all necessary sanitary norms."

In his address, Onufriy did not call on believers to stay at home, and also did not specify whether Easter cakes and baskets would be blessed near churches.