Today marks the first Sunday since the Supreme Court's decision against restricting attendance at houses of worship.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn had filed the case against Gov. Andrew Cuomo, claiming that the restrictions in coronavirus hot spots "violate the diocese's fundamental right to the free exercise of religion protected by the United States constitution."

The governor had issued restrictions of a maximum of 10 people allowed in churches in a red zones and 25 people in orange zones as a way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Rev. Nicholas DiMarzio responded to the ruling, saying in part: "I am gratified by the decision of the justices of the United States Supreme Court, who have recognized the clear First Amendment violation and urgent need for relief in this case."

Cuomo has called the court's ruling "irrelevant," saying the state relaxed Brooklyn's orange zone to a yellow zone on Nov. 18, meaning that houses of worship could operate at 50% capacity. 

“I'm a former altar boy," Cuomo says. "Catholic grammar school, Catholic high school. Jesuit college. I fully respect religion and if there's a time in life when we need it, the time is now, but we want to make sure we keep people safe at the same time. That's the balance we're trying to hit, especially through this holiday season and the coming Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, et cetera celebrations.”

The case is still continuing in the appeals court.