On April 12, believers of the Catholic Church will celebrate Easter, and Orthodox believers will celebrate the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.

A difficult epidemiological situation has developed, and this time must be endured in a Christian manner.

On Sunday, April 12, Catholic believers will celebrate Easter, and Orthodox believers will celebrate the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday).

A difficult epidemiological situation has developed, and this time must be endured in a Christian manner.

The Vitebsk Diocese of the Belarusian Orthodox Church draws attention to the fact that the blessing of willow branches will take place outdoors as usual. "We strongly urge you to keep your distance from each other, not to create mass gatherings at the church; priests will come out constantly and frequently to bless the branches," emphasized the secretary of the Vitebsk Diocese, Archpriest Vladimir Rezanovich.

"Churches are open and services are held, with sanitary safety measures observed in each of them. However, we tirelessly repeat: during the epidemic, it is possible to refrain from kissing holy relics; bow your heart before the icon, the knees of your soul," says Vladimir Rezanovich. "We urge people not to neglect the recommendations of doctors to maintain distance, wear masks in churches, and not to be offended if a remark is made in this regard; we always remind you that you should not attend services if you feel unwell. In this difficult time, dear believers, you can come to those churches where technical conditions allow broadcasting the service outdoors and pray in front of the church."

Bishop Oleg Butkevich of the Vitebsk Diocese also calls for enduring this time in a Christian manner with prayer for all believers.

He also draws attention to the need to strictly follow the recommendations of doctors and observe sanitary safety measures in churches: maintain distance, treat hands with disinfectants available in the churches, and wear masks.

Churches are open, services are held; however, the head of the Vitebsk Diocese asks the elderly, people with weakened immunity, and, of course, the sick, as well as those who are afraid of infection or feel uncertain, to refrain from attending the church during the liturgy.

Dear citizens! We kindly ask for your understanding regarding the recommended preventive measures aimed at preventing the spread of viral diseases in the country.

Based on materials from the newspaper "Vitbichi"