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Paper short abstract

The report outlines changes in a holiday worship and related religious practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes have led to rethinking of the tradition of worship. The report is based on the results of visual observation and interviews conducted among believers in the city of Krasnodar.

Paper long abstract

With the first cases of COVID-19 in the Krasnodar Territory, the regional administration (following the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare) introduced a number of requirements for organizations to prevent spread of the virus. Considering these requirements and general epidemiological situation, the Orthodox Church made changes to the practice of worship. At different times, various restrictions were introduced varying, from bans to attend divine services and holding processions of the cross, changes in the performance of confession and communion.

The report examines the implementation of these requirements in the parish of St. Elias Church on the days of Easter, Trinity, Transfiguration, Christmas and Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as patron days. Celebration of these holidays involves not only performing divine services, but also other traditional ritual actions, such as processions of the cross, consecration and distribution of food.