Greek Church metropolitan warns of priest shortage in rural villages
Mountain villages in the Peloponnese are facing a shortage of priests, putting regular church services in local parishes at risk.
On August 9, 2026, Metropolitan Ieronymos of Kalavryta and Aigialeia spoke about the shortage of priests in Greece’s small and remote villages, Orthodoxia News Agency reports.
The hierarch of the Church of Greece addressed the issue after the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St Athanasius in Kameniana, in the Peloponnese. According to him, the metropolis is trying to ensure that services are held in as many churches as possible, but the shortage of clergy is making this increasingly difficult.
The metropolitan stressed that a priest plays an important role in the life of small mountain villages. “The priest is one of the key links sustaining the life and unity of the local community,” he said, noting that church life helps preserve traditions and strengthen cohesion among residents.
According to the hierarch, the absence of a priest leads to a decline in liturgical life and may accelerate the depopulation of villages. He expressed hope that new candidates for the priesthood would emerge in the Metropolis of Kalavryta, ready to serve in their home region.
The metropolitan also urged local communities to be understanding when it comes to the scheduling of services and reminded them that during the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Divine Liturgy and the common prayer of the faithful should remain the central focus.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Greece’s Ministry of Culture transferred two ancient Byzantine churches to the Church.
