Mt. Athos, April 16, 2021
Photo: ria.ru
Holy Mount Athos will remain closed to pilgrims for Holy Week, Pascha, and Bright Week. The ban on pilgrimages is currently in force until May 10, though the ban could be extended, as has happened several times over the past few months.
All monks, government officials, and monastery workers must undergo a coronavirus test at the port before boarding ships. If they test positive, they will not be allowed to enter the Holy Mountain, reports RIA-Novosti.
The ban has been extended despite a drop in COVID cases on the Mountain. Several monks tested positive several weeks ago, but according to the Karyes Health Center, all the tests from the monasteries where infected monks live have been negative, reports Vima Orthodoxias.
However, Hieromonk Chrysanthos from St. Anne’s Skete, who was being treated for COVID in Thessaloniki, passed away yesterday. May his memory be eternal!
OrthoChristian reported earlier this month that Athonite monks are generally not very interested in receiving the COVID vaccine.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, Parler, MeWe, and Gab!
