The “Gathering of Priests and Monks” attacked Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris in a letter to the Holy Community of Mount Athos. The reason behind their harsh words is the upcoming 4th Thessaloniki Pride on June 19 and 20, which is organized with the support of the Municipality of Thessaloniki.
According to the Greek monks, Boutaris’ support toward the Gay Pride conflicts with his institutional role as the Overseer of Mount Athos, since he is the Mayor of Thessaloniki. For this reason they requested that Boutaris is not allowed to enter the holy grounds.
The letter, written during an informal gathering of Greek Orthodox priests and monks, asked the Holy Community of Mount Athos to take action against the mayor’s support toward the “shameful sin of homosexuality” and the organization of the annual Gay Pride in the city of Thessaloniki.
Due to the fact that the mayor’s actions are completely contrary to his institutional, yet non-elected role as Overseer of Mount Athos, the “Gathering of Priests and Monks” asked the Holy Community to express God’s disagreement toward Boutaris’ actions and, in case he is persistent, to break – if possible – any institutional relationship between him and Mount Athos “as a protest against his sinful acts.”
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