Home » World » There is uncertainty about organizing an Aglona religious festival in Latvia

There is uncertainty about organizing an Aglona religious festival in Latvia

In a month, tens of thousands of people will go to Aglona, ​​because one of the biggest religious events in Latvia will take place there – the annual Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But at the moment, neither the government, nor the municipality, nor the church knows how to act to comply with all restrictions, ReTV News reports.

The biggest problems can be caused by the fact that pilgrims will also go to Aglona from abroad; it is also clear that thousands of Latvians will attend the festival. However, epidemiological conditions, especially in the last days, do not provide a clear answer as to what specific restrictions will have to be introduced in the last six months for the largest public event.

Jānis Bulis, Bishop of the Rezekne-Aglona Diocese of the Roman Catholic Riga Metropolis, tells ReTV News – it must be taken into account that there will be a holiday in Aglona and that believers will gather there. “As every year in the sanctuary of Aglona will be held the Blessed Virgin Mary Debese reception. It is clear to everyone that in connection with Covid-19, believers in Latvia who will go to the festival will comply with the gathering requirements and other restrictions set by the state. The services will take place in the sacred square of the basilica, because more people will be able to participate outside. ”

It cannot be ruled out that there will be enclosing structures in Aglona, ​​the municipal police and other services will work more intensively; there are also other constraints that everyone will have to take into account. Aglona municipality ReTV News indicates ignorance about the organization of the festival.

We have been sent a request from the Ministry of Justice that an external meeting of the Ministry of Justice will be held on 17 July in the premises of the Aglona Basilica, and then all these issues will be discussed in more detail there. (…) DSome additional funds will also be planned or redistributed to ensure security measures, ”says Ineta Poga, Executive Director of Aglona County Council.

Greater clarity on what the restrictions will be and what everyone going to the festival will have to know will be known after July 20, when several meetings will be held in Aglona together with experts from the Ministry of Justice and also epidemiologists.

Meanwhile, ReThe TV News Service found out that tourism companies are already organizing group trips to the Aglona Festival; as well as ReThe TV found out that the congregations are identifying groups that will go on a pilgrimage.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.