Orthodox Church of Greece

It suffices for now that the Orthodox Church of Greece recognises that in its ranks diachronically both “wolves” and “sheep” have lurked.

'It is extremely important that over recent years Thessaloniki has assumed its share of responsibility for actions and omissions of the past...the historical wound created by indifference, complacency and anti-Semitism,' said President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Nobody has the right to deny their share of responsibility in the common effort, because if even one group says it lacks the competence or is unable to do so, the sacrifices of the rest of society are imperiled.

A spokesman for the Synod, Metropolitan bishop Timotheos Anthis, said today that members of some parish councils have resigned in order to avoid skirmishes with the faithful.

Sensitisation to the environment and climate change is now one of the main programmes of the Archdiocese of Athens and of Metropolitanates (bishoprics), as Ta Nea reports today.

The  encyclical of the  Synod was issued today. one day after MEGA television’s exclusive interview with the PM, who has an open line of communication and collaboration with the archbishop. In the interview, the PM defended the government's decision to exempt churchgoers from testing.

The National Health System is already under enormous pressure. Under such conditions, it is impermissible to allow gatherings in closed spaces such as churches where vaccinated people will intermingle with people who may be carriers because they are unvaccinated.

The Metropolitan bishop took a clear stand even as a growing divide is evolving in Greece between vaccinated and unvaccinated citizens and between members of families, groups, and society.

“The Church is making these efforts through spiritual procedures, in a paternal manner and in line with the teaching of the Church Fathers, with the sole objective of managing all the bad results and problems posed by the pandemic.

The preconditions for the ordination of clergy are antiquated. The examination of those who seek to become priests is deficient, as it depends only on one or two individuals.

It is pitiful that among these few who behave irresponsibly by not abiding by the coronavirus lockdown are representatives of local government as well as lower and high-level clerics.

A spate of reports indicated that on 15 March MItsotakis called Ieronymos to pressure him to close all churches but that would require the approval of a mahority of the other 12 members of the Permanent Holy Synod.

The issue of whether Holy Communion in churches might transmit COVID-19 as the same cup and spoon are used to offer everyone a small bit of wine and bread, Mitsotakis said that the Church is obliged to follow the same public health rules as others.

The creation of crematoriums has been discussed for decades in Greece and one of the key reasons for the delay has been the fierce opposition of the powerful Greek Orthodox Church.

The Patriarchate of Constantinople retains full jurisdiction in the Metropolitanates of the Dodecanese islands and elects the Archbishop of the semi-autonomous Church of Crete

“In any event, the salary status of those who serve the Church constitutes the responsibility and decisions of the State,” the PM's office said.