Shmyhal suggests Churches hold Easter services outdoors

Denis Shmyhal. Photo: pravda.com.ua

On April 23, 2021, during a meeting with representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO), the Prime Minister of Ukraine D. A. Shmyhal proposed to hold Easter services outdoors, reports the UOC Information and Educational Department.

Denis Shmyhal stressed that religious organizations need to observe quarantine and adhere to the recommendations regarding Easter services.

In the case of a large number of believers, the Prime Minister of Ukraine believes it is necessary to hold services in the open air since this can ensure the proper distance between people.

“We appreciate that representatives of religious organizations are doing everything to comply with quarantine regulations. The government, for its part, will continue to make every effort to ensure that the state policy in the field of religion is effective, efficient, and aimed at realizing the corresponding rights and freedoms of citizens,” Shmyhal said.

The representative of the UOC, Bishop Victor (Kotsaba) of Baryshevka, who took part in the meeting, noted in his speech that it is very important for believers to properly celebrate the feast of the Resurrection of Christ.

For his part, Vladyka Victor supported the proposal to hold services in the open air and also expressed gratitude to the state, represented by the Prime Minister, for constructive cooperation in resolving topical issues of church-state relations.

As reported earlier, according to the Deputy Minister of Health and Chief State Sanitary Doctor Viktor Liashko, it is not planned to introduce additional restrictions in Ukraine during the period of Easter.

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