According to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, the new infection reminded people of the fragility of life and the value of living human communication. Last year, an Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was held without parishioners due to restrictions due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. As can be seen from the broadcast, this time the believers stood in the church in fairly dense groups, some of them were without medical masks, - the site of the radio station Ekho Moskvy notes. However, this time, unlike last year, the opportunity has already appeared to be vaccinated against coronavirus. Both Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill have recently been vaccinated. Parishioners were traditionally admitted to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior by invitation.
However, this time too, the religious holiday is held with a number of restrictions. The authorities of different cities initially predicted a much smaller number of parishioners in temples than before the pandemic. In Moscow, for example, it was assumed that the total attendance of churches on Easter will decrease from 1.5 million people in 2019 to 200 thousand. People over 65 and those with chronic illnesses were still encouraged to stay at home.
Also, restrictions apply to kissing icons, although the rules here may differ: in some churches a complete ban remains, in others, after each parishioner, the icon is wiped with an alcohol napkin. Some churches, against the backdrop of persisting restrictions, have organized video broadcasts of their Easter services. At the same time, cemeteries operate without restrictions.
Earlier on the eve of Easter, Patriarch Kirill warned "big and small leaders" against the transition to tyranny.