Athonite Holy Community appeals to Greek authorities over digital ID system

Building of the Holy Community of Mount Athos. Photo: athoseod.gr

The Holy Community of Mount Athos has addressed a new letter to the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Mr. Dimitrios Papastergiou, expressing concern over the recently passed law that mandates assigning a personal identification number (PIN) to all Greek citizens starting from August 3/16, 2024, according to the UOJ's Athonite branch.

The Athonite monks note that the PIN, which will be assigned for life to each individual and linked to numerous personal data points in a centralized digital system managed by the General Secretariat of Information Systems for Public Administration, raises serious and legitimate concerns among both the monastic community and a significant part of Greek society.

The letter highlights that there is no such mandatory requirement in the European Union directives and proposes that the assignment of the personal number should be voluntary, not compulsory, at the discretion of each citizen.

The message concludes with an expression of hope for a favorable response from the minister. It is signed by all representatives and abbots of the twenty holy monasteries of Mount Athos.

Full Text of the Letter:

HOLY COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN ATHOS
Karyes, April 1/14, 2025
Protocol No: Φ.7/42/893

To His Excellency
The Minister of Digital Governance
Mr. Dimitrios Papastergiou
Athens

Your Excellency, Mr. Minister,

Having learned that following the recent parliamentary vote on the Ministry of Digital Governance’s draft law concerning the “introduction of the personal number in Greek citizens’ identity cards,” the issuance of a personal number is to become mandatory for all citizens starting from August 3/16, 2024, we again turn to you regarding this important matter.

The personal number, which by law will be assigned to every individual and will remain unchanged throughout their life, can be associated with a multitude of personal data within a unified system managed by the General Secretariat of Information Systems for Public Administration.

Considering that such an obligation does not exist under European Union directives, and sharing the concerns of many citizens of Greece as well as our own concerns as Athonite monks, we propose that the issuance of the personal number be optional rather than mandatory, at the discretion of each citizen.

Expressing our deep respect and confidence that you will respond positively to our request, we remain with esteem and in prayer.

All representatives and abbots of the twenty Holy Monasteries of the Holy Mountain Athos,
Members of the Holy Assembly

Earlier, the UOJ reported that it had opened a branch office on Mount Athos.

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