Orthodox parishes in Greece say they lack funds for basic needs

The Monastery of St. Anastasia the Deliverer from Potions in Thessaloniki. Photo: UOJ

On March 17, 2026, Orthodox parishes in Greece warned of a deepening financial crisis: amid a sharp drop in income – in some cases as much as 50% over the past three years – and at the same time rising costs for electricity, water, and church maintenance, many communities can no longer cover even their most basic needs, Vima Orthodoxias reports.

According to the outlet, the financial situation within church life continues to deteriorate, while the day-to-day cost of running parishes keeps climbing, threatening their ability to remain operational.

Priests across the country, including in Athens and Thessaloniki, say the situation is becoming critical. “There are churches that risk being unable to pay even their electricity bills,” said Fr. Dimitrios, a priest at one of central Athens’ churches.

The crisis is being felt especially sharply in rural areas, where parishes are rapidly losing parishioners because of depopulation. “In some villages, only 10 to 15 people come to services, and that is not enough even to cover basic expenses,” said Fr. Georgios, a priest from Messenia.

An additional burden comes from mandatory contributions to the metropolises, which remain a key source of funding for church structures but at the same time increase pressure on small and already vulnerable parishes.

Priests are calling on the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church to intervene urgently and reconsider its economic policy. “A solution must be found so that parishes, especially in villages, can survive. Without support, many of them will be on the verge of closure,” Fr. Georgios said.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Greece’s Ministry of Education had explained why icons would not be removed from courtrooms.

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