Muslims on the remote, Orthodox in temples: how (differently!) The main denominations of Russia react to the spread of coronavirus

On March 20, Friday sermons and prayers in Russian mosques and prayer houses passed without parishioners. The day before, in the spiritual department of the Muslims of Russia, it was decided to temporarily abandon the big meetings of believers-due to the growing epidemic of coronavirus.

A few days before, the Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church published instructions for its clergymen - on how to deal with the spread of the virus. However, the Russian Orthodox Church does not close its temples and does not reduce the number of services. Most often, this is due to the fact that Christians have the sacraments (for example, communion) that cannot do without the direct presence of believers.

During the epidemic, the Russian Orthodox Church does not reduce the number of other meetings - for example, processions . And from March 10 to 17, the relics of John the Baptist were exhibited in the Kazan Cathedral of St. Petersburg, the access of the pilgrims to which was not limited to.

How do the most massive Russian denominations live during the epidemic? And why do the Russian Orthodox do not want to abandon the services, unlike not only Muslims, but also from European Catholics? Political scientist Fedor Krasheninnikov, the governor of the high-Petrovsky monastery, abbot Peter (Yeremeyev), First Deputy Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia Rushan Abbyasov and Religious Vede Alexei Zygmont, explain.

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Presenter - Vladislav Gorin

Producers - Alexander Sadikov, Ksenia Mironova, Alexey Yurtaev

Installation - Dmitry Bodrov

Music - Victor Davydov