Media reports: No Greek bishop backs same-sex marriage law
A meeting of the Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church. Photo: orthodoxianewsagency
Metropolitans of the Greek Orthodox Church did not support the Greek authorities' bill on the legalisation of same-sex marriage.
According to Greek media, 77 metropolitans out of 80 attended the extraordinary Synod of the Greek Church. All of them opposed the forthcoming bill to legalise gay marriage.
During the Synod session, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia, who chairs the Synodal Department of the Greek Church on Bioethics, addressed the assembly.
According to the bishop, the existing legislation in Greece, under which homosexuals enter into cohabitation agreements but are not recognized as a regular family, is fully capable of meeting all the legal requirements of human rights advocates.
The hierarchs, according to media reports, unanimously supported Metropolitan Nikolaos's statement. On 4 February, the Synod's message stating its stance on the issue will be read in all temples of the Greek Church.
In addition, the synodals decided to send relevant letters to members of the Greek Parliament who advocate for the legalization of same-sex marriages.
As reported, the Greek government spokesman said that the authorities will not confront the Church on the issue of same-sex marriage, but the bill on its legalisation will still be passed.
Read also
OCU activist admits breaking into UOC church in Sloviansk
Oleksandr Onyshchenko said that the OCU held its first "service" at the Seraphim Church, which had previously been broken into by forcing the locks and doors.
Archimandrite Ioustinos, longtime keeper of Jacob's Well, dies in Jordan
Archimandrite Ioustinos (Mamallos), the keeper of Jacob's Well in Nablus, has died after a prolonged illness.
Pilgrim group from Kyiv Theological Seminary visits Mount Athos
KTS students are making a pilgrimage to the holy sites of Romania, Greece, Mount Athos and Italy.
UOC cathedral celebrates its patronal feast in Ternopil
The service in the cathedral of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia was led by Metropolitan Serhii of Ternopil, concelebrated by four hierarchs.
MinCulture marks centenary of Soviet-era reserve at Lavra's Refectory Church
Representatives of the Ministry of Culture presented awards to the Reserve's employees on the occasion of the anniversary at the Refectory Church of the Lavra.
Conference to mark 1700th anniversary of Christianity adoption held in Georgia
In Georgia, representatives of the Church and the state noted the defining role of Christianity in the country's cultural development.