In Thessaloniki, believers rallied in defense of the traditional family

March in defense of family values in Thessaloniki. Photo: greekcitytimes.com.

On June 13, 2026, a mass protest rally took place in the Greek city of Thessaloniki under the slogan "Respect for the Greek Orthodox Family," with participants speaking out against the destruction of traditional social values. This was reported by the OCJ in Greece.

Believers marched in a solemn procession from the monument to Alexander the Great through the central streets of the city to the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia, expressing their firm disagreement with state policy in the area of family relations.

The organizers of the event brought together representatives of the clergy, academia, and civic organizations. Greetings to the rally participants were sent by Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira, Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos, as well as monks from the Holy Mountain of Athos.

During the speeches, speakers raised pressing questions about the country's demographic crisis and warned of the harmful consequences of gender transition and the destruction of the institution of marriage for young people.

At the conclusion of the rally, those gathered unanimously adopted a resolution demanding that the Greek authorities immediately annul the law on "marriage" for same-sex couples and ban the holding of gay pride events in Thessaloniki.

Believers also appealed to the church administration with a request not to honor, at church events, political leaders who voted for anti-Christian reforms or openly support LGBT events.

As the OCJ previously reported, a priest in Greece rebuked a deputy during the Liturgy for supporting the LGBT law.

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