Monday, January 21, 2019

Greece May Separate Orthodox Church from State; Parliament to Vote on Neutral Religion for Greece

The government of Greece and the Greek Orthodox Church may be headed for breakup soon under a historic deal negotiated in secret between Archbishop Ieronymos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, the Religion News website reports today (January 21, 2019).

Next month, the country's parliament is expected to vote on an agreement to make the Greek state neutral toward religion, ending the primacy of Greek Orthodoxy in the country's constitution.

The state would become co-owner of church property, giving it the right to lease unused properties. Proceeds from those leases would be divided between the church and government.

Many members of the church's Holy Synod say they were angered at being left in the dark as the talks between the archbishop and Tsipras went on for three years. Moreover, most Greek Orthodox clergy are opposed to the deal.

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