20 April 2020, 11:15
Azerbaijani temples hold Easter services without parishioners
At night on April 20, temples of Azerbaijan held their Easter services without believers because of anti-coronavirus measures.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that by April 19, 19 people dies from coronavirus in Azerbaijan; and the total number of infection cases was 1398.
Since March 24, Azerbaijan is under the quarantine regime, which was extended until May 4. People over 65, who have no labour contracts, are prohibited from going out; the rest are allowed to leave their homes in special cases. Since April 5, a permissive movement system is in force in the country.
In the morning, a chance was given to believers to visit, by two or three at a time, to visit church yards to receive blessed Easter cakes and to read prayers, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told at the press service of the Baku-Azerbaijani Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.
In his holiday message to Azerbaijani Orthodox believers, President Ilham Aliev noted that the holiday was taking place "amid the mankind-threatening pandemic."
He has added that "residents of Azerbaijan will demonstrate high responsibility, accord and organization in the fight against coronavirus and its consequences; and the people will successfully overcome this difficult trial."
According to the Baku Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, the number of Orthodox believers in Azerbaijan is about 150,000.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 19, 2020 at 11:59 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Faik Medjid Source: CK correspondent
