Russian Orthodox Church: a ban on visiting temples in St. Petersburg contradicts the constitution

The Russian Orthodox Church criticized the decision of the St. Petersburg authorities to close the city churches for visiting in connection with the threat of coronavirus spread. The head of the legal department of the Moscow Patriarchate of Igumenia Ksenia (Chernoga) called the prohibitive resolution to anti -constitutional, writes Interfax.

"The Russian Constitution refers the right to freedom of conscience to the number of inalienable human rights and a citizen. Such rights, according to the Basic Law and the Law on Freedom of Conscience, can be limited only by federal law, but not acts of constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Therefore, we can conclude that the act that was adopted in St. Petersburg does not comply with the Constitution," the publication quotes the word of abbess.

The St. Petersburg diocese noted that the city temples will continue service. "The pastoral duty of the clergy must be fulfilled in relation to all believers, including those who consider it necessary to come to temples for prayer for loved ones in the current difficult time, about the city and the people," the diocese said .

It is alleged that in St. Petersburg churches are disinfected, and parishioners are informed of compliance with personal preventive measures and the recommendations of Rospotrebnadzor.

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The Government of St. Petersburg published a decree according to which from March 28 to April 5, the work of restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs, hookahs and other public places is prohibited. Residents were forbidden to walk in church and temples, visit parks and squares, multifunctional centers. Promotuers are forbidden to transfer printed materials from hand to hand. Preferential passage in public transport has been suspended, they will not sell travel yet.

Over the past day, 182 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection in 18 regions have been registered in Russia, five in Sansktersburg. In total, 840 cases were recorded in Russia.