Greece
Culture
Church of Greece Protests Baptism of Children of Gay Couple
The Church of Greece's highest governing body is formally protesting the recent baptism of the children of a same-sex couple in Athens, an occasion that marked the first time a gay couple held a Greek Orthodox baptism for their...
Greece
Church of Greece: Yoga is Incompatible with Christian Faith
The Standing Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has decided that yoga has no place in the life of Christians because it is a fundamental part of the religion of Hinduism.
The official decision was taken on Tuesday during...
Greece
Church of Greece Decides to Curtail Services Amid Growing Coronavirus Fears
The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Christian Church of Greece issued a statement on Monday afternoon, informing the public about its latest decision in regard to the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic.
The Church of Greece decided to curtail all weekday services,...
Greece
Holy Synod of the Church of Greece Rules "Abortion is Murder"
The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in Greece ruled on Tuesday that it considers abortion to be murder and cannot accept the practice.
The Holy Synod, chaired by Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, is the highest authority...
Greece
Church of Greece Says Will Deny Funeral Services to the Cremated
The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece issued a leaflet on Wednesday, in which it expresses its strong opposition to the practice of cremation as "contrary to the Church's principles, traditions and customs."
The leaflet addressed ''To The People''...
Greece
Church of Greece Holy Synod Decides Priests Should Remain on State Payroll
The Church of Greece Hierarchy on Friday decided to continue dialogue with the State on the proposed changes to the church/state relationship, but it took a stand against its priests being removed from the state payroll.
The long meeting of the...
Education
Church of Greece to Participate in Context of Religion Textbooks
The joint commission of the Ministry of Education and the Church of Greece have decided that the context of religion textbooks will be co-decided by the Church Hierarchy.
Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos stated that he is particularly...
Greece
Archbishop Ieronymos: There is a War Against the Church of Greece
There is a war against the Church of Greece, said Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos, criticizing the government for interfering with the workings of the Church.
"In terms of the Church, there is no separation with the State....
Greece
Holy Synod of the Church of Greece: Sorras Has Launched 'Dubious, Intensely Nationalistic, Anti-Church' Movement
The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has spoken out against the clerics who have been appearing on Greek television channels supporting the nationalist political group led by Artemis Sorras called Convention of Greeks, saying that the individuals are...
Education
Education Minister Takes Back Accusations Against Church of Greece
Education Minister Nikos Filis on Monday took back his accusations against the Church of Greece for its role during the German occupation and the dictatorship.
The changes in religion classes in Greek schools have generated a squabble between Filis and...
Greece
Patriarch Bartholomew Asserts Church of Greece Jurisdiction at Holy Synod
Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew closed the matter of church jurisdiction during the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church on the island of Crete. In the framework of an examination on church autonomy, Patriarch Bartholomew conclusively underlined that the...
Greece
Church of Greece Reacts to Bill Giving Civil Partnership Rights to Same-Sex Couples
A new draft bill that would give full civil partnership rights to same-sex couples is to be tabled in parliament amid reactions from the Church of Greece.
The explanatory memorandum emphasizes the need for official recognition of same-sex couples based...
Economy
Government Eases Capital Controls on Church of Greece
The Finance Ministry decided to ease capital controls on the Church of Greece, a decision that was criticized by business owners who continue to suffer with capital controls.
Specifically, after a decision of the Greek Ministry of Finance, metropolises can withdraw...
Greece
Church of Greece Revenues Drop
During the last five years, Church of Greece revenues have decreased by 70%. Βelievers offer fewer donations, while the number of sacraments performed in churches has dropped due to the financial crisis.
At the same time, many properties belonging to the Church...
Greece
Church of Greece Not Exempt from Taxes or Negative Media Attention
Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Ieronymos sent an open letter to the Greek Parliament and Greek Prime Minister commenting on international media reports on the Greek Orthodox Church being exempt from taxation.
The purpose of his letter is, according...