Christians overcome trials and tribulations with prayer and the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has called on us to pray at home with sincere faith and hope in God. However, the Orthodox temples remain open during Holy Week, as well as on Easter Day, with the services being performed in accordance to all the requirements of the National Operational Headquarters, responsible for the fight against the coronavirus.

In order for people to be able to experience the atmosphere of Easter services, they would be broadcast online. The initiative started on Lazarus Day and Palm Sunday when, on the official page of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on Facebook, services held at the "St. Alexander Nevsky" Cathedral in Sofia were broadcast for online viewing.

Varna Metropolitan Yoan has announced that all the worship services at Easter will be broadcast online on the Facebook page of the Metropolis of Varna (https://www.facebook.com/varnenska.mitropoliq), and because of the epidemic believers this year will not crawl under the table on which the Epitaphios is placed on Good Friday. "I will sincerely ask church goers only to bow, not to kiss the shroud or to crawl under it. This will not change anything of the content of the service," the Metropolitan told BNR, explaining that the main part of the service at Easter will be held in front of the Cathedral of the Assumption in Varna.

Even if we did not manage to light a candle with the Holy Fire, the Varna Metropolitan says we should not worry. "For 40 days after Passover, we congratulate ourselves with 'Christ is Risen!' And during that time one can enter the church, light a candle and pray."

The opportunity to watch religious services at home is also provided by the Troyan Monastery via Facebook . Founded in the early 17th century by several hermit monks who brought the miraculous icon of the Holy Mother of God there, the third largest monastery in Bulgaria is an attractive place for believers, not only during holidays.

The "Sts. Cyril and Methodius” Church in Burgas will also be broadcasting online the church rituals on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, as well as the whole service announcing the Resurrection of Christ.

Easter services will also reach people who do not have Internet access through the broadcasts of the "Horizon" program of the Bulgarian National Radio.

Traditionally, the Bulgarian National Television also makes its viewers part of the festive atmosphere by broadcasting live the Easter service at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, as well as online on its website /http://www.bnt.bg/en/. The live broadcast starts on Saturday (April 18th) at23:30. The following day - April 19, from 10:55 to 12:00, national media viewers will also have the opportunity to see the Second Resurrection Liturgy (it is called this way because for the second time after midnight, the gospel text announcing the Resurrection is read).

Church services are held throughout the week at all other Orthodox churches in the country.

We recall that the following precautionary measures are in place in all Orthodox churches to prevent the spread of Covid-19:

- Disinfection is performed - icons are disinfected, a mat soaked in disinfectant is placed at the entrance. Carpets and rugs are removed from the interior of the church. Seats are disinfected every few hours.

- People enter in a special order, with the clergy taking care of the organization and order inside the church.

- Church goers must wear protective masks and observe the prescribed distance.

- The priests, who have the slightest signs of health discomfort should refrain from service.

- Fewer people than usual can enter churches and queues are possible. Therefore, there will be police representatives in front of churches.

The priests will serve without masks at a safe distance from the people. Sellers of flowers and candles near churches will not be allowed. The police will only enter the temples if needed. Police will guard all 4,000 churches and monasteries in the country.

All institutions involved in the fight against the virus call on citizens to mark Easter at home and to minimize their contacts.

English: Alexander Markov