Greece boosts controls as Orthodox Easter holiday approaches

Police officers patrol the central intercity bus station of Athens, Greece, 16 April 2020.

Starting 16 April, the Greek police adopted a special operational plan to enforce special curbs on movement due to the coronavirus ahead of the Orthodox Easter holidays, ensuring that these are followed, as the coming days are considered crucial for the way the virus’ spread progresses.

Eastern Orthodox Christians are currently in the middle of their Holy Week, with Easter Sunday being celebrated this Sunday.

The majority of Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar, established by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C., as opposed to the more modern (1582) Gregorian calendar. By that calendar, Orthodox Easter always falls between April 4 and May 8, while Catholic and Protestant Easter falls between March 22 and April 25. On rare years, as in 2017, the dates align.

 

Via EPA-EFE/ALEXANDROS BELTES