In the past, the Syrian Orthodox Church has taken steps to prevent the spread of corona by, among other things, limiting the number of people who have been attending church services, as SVT previously stated. But now you go longer - and close completely from Monday.

"We see that the situation in the world is deteriorating more and more and therefore want to be involved in taking social responsibility to stop the spread," says Robert Halef, vice-president of St. Afrem Church.

The decision applies to the bishopric belonging to Bishop Benjamin Atas, who is headquartered in Södertälje, and concerns about 20 churches in the country.

Assembly member died of corona

Robert Halef says that the concern for the corona has increased after an elderly parishioner in the Stockholm area, with confirmed coronas infection, died.

- It came very close now with the death and further infected ward members in Stockholm. But we were already considering closing before.

The other church pope sends recommendations

The second church ceremony within the Syrian Orthodox Church, including that of some 20 churches and its headquarters in Södertälje, has not gone as far as to centrally decide on closure.

"We have called on our churches to be careful with hygiene practices and follow instructions that come from the government but right now each church has to make its own decision to close or keep open," says Afrem Lahdo, monk and secretary to Archbishop Ablahad Gallo Shabo.

"We should all pray to God for this to stop," he adds.