Corona
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Eastern Europe
Russian Orthodox bishop: QR code is strengthening control over people
QR codes are not “the seal of antichrist” but strengthening the means of control over people is a threat and causes concern. That is the opinion of Bishop Savva (Tutunov) of the Russian Orthodox Church in Zelenograd. “I do not think that the QR code is the seal of the…
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Northern Europe
Norwegian Synod introduces Covid measures
As a result of the surge in Covid cases, the Norwegian Synod in Trondheim introduces new measures, [Vart Land](https://www.vl.no/nyheter/2021/11/10/kirkemotet-innforer-koronatiltak-etter-okende-smitte-i-trondheim/) reports. At the six-day Synod, which has started this Thursday, members have to sit on permanent seats with extra distance between each other. “In addition, we will follow recommendations and any…
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Eastern Europe
Romanian bishop prosecuted for anti-vaccination sermon
Romanian bishop Ambrose of Giurgiu is prosecuted because of his statements against Covid vaccinations, [The European Times](https://www.europeantimes.news/2021/11/an-anti-wax-sermon-by-the-bishop-of-giurgiu-led-to-an-investigation-against-him/) reports. The local police department suspects him of “abuse of office and dissemination of false information.” The reason for investigation is a sermon he held on October 14, in which bishop Ambrose claimed…
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Southern Europe
Coffins remain unburied in Palermo
As a result of the high number in Covid deaths and an administrational backlog, hundreds of coffins remain unburied in the Italian place Palermo. As many as 800 caskets are stored in mortuaries awaiting burial, [Palermo Today](https://www.palermotoday.it/cronaca/cimiteri-disagi-pratiche-bloccate-gelarda.html) recently reported. Earlier, the caskets, piling up since the autumn of 2019, posed…
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Eastern Europe
Cremation is on the rise in Russia because of corona
Russians are increasingly choosing to cremate their loved ones rather than bury them. That's the clear tendency during the corona pandemic. There are indeed more deaths in Russia than usual. The country has one of the world's highest excess death tolls from Covid-19. In recent weeks, the infections are surging…
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Western Europe
Dutch Christians under scrutiny for not taking vaccine
They would be responsible for the rising infection rates and would occupy hospital beds. Unvaccinated people in the Netherlands are under scrutiny. Especially Christians from the so-called Bible belt. In recent weeks, there has been a lot of attention for these people. Reason: a lot of patients in hospitals suffering…
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Eastern Europe
Covid-19: Latvian government reminds churches of safety rules
The Latvian Ministry of Justice reached out to religious organisations to remind them of the importance of safety precautions in connection with Covid-19. This was reported by the Baltic News Network. According to the Ministry of Justice, religious organisations should cooperate with State Police and other law enforcement institutions to…
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Eastern Europe
Virus hits again in Russia: mosques close; churches and synagogues remain open
To prevent the coronavirus from spreading, the Russian capital of Moscow has announced a week of so-called “non-working days” from October 28th to November 7th. During these days, churches and synagogues chose to remain open. Mosques, however, decided to close their doors. According to Damir Mukhetdinov, the first deputy chairman…
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Central Europe
Austria threatens a lockdown for unvaccinated
As coronavirus cases continue to rise in Austria, the country's Chancellor announced that the government could impose tight restrictions on people who are still unvaccinated. “The pandemic is not yet in the rear-view mirror,” Alexander Schallenberg said after a meeting with state-level leaders to discuss their response to rapidly increasing…
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Central Europe
German churches don't get applause after corona
Churches and religious institutions did not make a good impression on Germans during the corona pandemic. This is the result of a representative survey by the insurance company HDI (Hanover). The German news portal IDEA reports about this. 3,700 citizens were asked by the opinion research institute YouGov to rate…