Athos closed to pilgrims
Holy Mount Athos. Photo: gidvgreece.com
On March 19, 2020, the monasteries of the Holy Mount Athos were closed to pilgrims; those who are staying on the territory of the “monastic republic” should leave it by the morning of March 20, the Greek news publication Romfea reported.
Monks were also prohibited from moving from monastery to monastery. The monastics are permitted to arrive at Athos or leave it only by the license of their monastery.
Entrance of employees or other persons is possible only at the request of Athos and with the special permission of the Holy Epistasia (the main executive body of the administration of the Athonite Monastic Autonomy – Ed.).
Earlier, an Italian pilgrim with suspected coronavirus was hospitalized in the monastery of Hilandar on Mount Athos.
We will remind that Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople decided to stop worship in all churches because of the coronavirus.
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