The Lebanese Parliament Police issued a statement denying what was reported by an electronic news platform regarding the closing of St. George's Church's door in Martyrs’ Square to worshippers, asserting that all information presented in the news is "lies and slander that fall under the category of hateful sectarian incitement."
In its statement, it added: "All measures taken in the vicinity of the Parliament, including St. George's Church in Martyrs’ Square, are coordinated and agreed upon with the blessings of the authorities of St. George's Church and in agreement with the authorities of the Beirut Diocese of Greek Orthodox, who also condemned the content of the published slanders."
At the same time, the St. George's Cathedral of the Greek Orthodox issued a statement via its Facebook page, saying: "There is news circulating on social media that believers have been prevented from reaching St. George's Cathedral in downtown Beirut by elements of the Lebanese Army and the Parliament Guard."
It added: "It is important for the cathedral priests to clarify that this news is completely false, and the number of worshippers at the cathedral on Easter Day, as well as on other days of Holy Week, was in the hundreds, thanks to the direct facilitation of the Lebanese Army and the Parliament Guard."
It concluded: "Therefore, we urge all purveyors of false news not to speak on behalf of the church, and we request the believers not to pay attention to such inciting news or be affected by it. May God protect our country from all discord and provocateurs, and keep everyone safe. Christ is Risen."
