Greek Education Ministry explains refusal to remove icons from courtrooms

Courtroom in Greece. Photo: Greek City Times

On March 17, 2026, Greece’s Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports issued a clarification in response to demands that sacred icons be removed from courtrooms, stating that such initiatives cannot be considered because they do not violate citizens’ rights and run counter to the country’s historical and cultural tradition, Orthodoxia News Agency reports.

The ministry recalled that the Union of Atheists had previously appealed to both national and European bodies demanding the removal of icons from courtrooms, but those initiatives were rejected, including by a ruling of the Council of State. In February 2026, the relevant secretariat sent a corresponding memorandum to the State Legal Council.

The document states that the presence of icons in courtrooms does not violate the right to a fair trial, but is part of a historical tradition linked to the formation of Greek identity and the role of the Orthodox Church.

The ministry also separately addressed the teaching of ethics, stressing that this subject is intended for students who are not Orthodox, while Orthodox pupils are required to attend religious studies classes. The two courses do not replace one another and remain separated along religious lines.

The statement came amid a broader public debate over the role of religious symbols in public spaces, including schools and government institutions.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Greek authorities would shut down illegal mosques in Athens.

Read also