Despite the successes in the fight against coronavirus infection in Russia and the statements of the secular authorities about the imminent possible abolition of quarantine restrictions, the Russian Orthodox Church does not plan to weaken antiviral sanitary and hygienic measures in churches.This statement was made the other day by the head of the department for external church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Volokolamsk Hilarion on the air of the TV channel 'Russia 24'.
According to Vladyka Hilarion, the coronavirus pandemic is likely to last for a long time, and the danger of infection exists for many more people who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19. In churches, the measures prescribed from the very beginning, prescribed by the Holy Patriarch and the Holy Synod, will be observed in anticipation of the end of the pandemic.
At the same time, the Moscow Patriarchate does not see the need for any special inspections of churches for compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the head of the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media, Vladimir Legoyda, in most churches and monasteries, they use personal protective equipment, disinfect surfaces, ventilate the premises and take other necessary anti-virus measures. The Christian responsibility of the rector and parishioners is the best guarantee of security, 'he said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
