Greece Archives

Greek churches open on Epiphany feast despite tight lockdown

Jan 6, 2021

The Greek government relented and allowed limited attendance at churches celebrating the feast of the Epiphany on Wednesday, reversing a ban on attendance designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

By Demetris Nellas

Greek Church tells priests to ignore pandemic closure order

Jan 5, 2021

Greece’s powerful Orthodox Church is rebelling against a government order to briefly close places of worship under a weeklong drive to tighten virus restrictions before the planned reopening of schools.

By Nicholas Paphitis

Greece’s archbishop hospitalized with coronavirus symptoms

Nov 19, 2020

The head of the Orthodox Church of Greece, Archbishop Ieronymos, has been hospitalized after being diagnosed with COVID-19, a leading Athens hospital said Thursday.

By Elena Becatoros

Greece: Bishop’s death revives debate on communion safety

Nov 17, 2020

A senior clergyman in Greece’s Orthodox Church was buried Monday after dying of COVID-19, reviving a debate over the safety of receiving communion before the Christmas season.

By Costas Kantouris and Derek Gatopoulos

Caritas official: After refugee camp fire, Lesbos locals patrol streets

Sep 17, 2020

The director of Greece’s Catholic charitable organization said the situation on Lesbos island remains tense after a fire at a refugee camp left at least 12,000 homeless.

By Jonathan Luxmoore

Greek leader calls for greater EU involvement on migration

Sep 13, 2020

Greece’s prime minister demanded Sunday that the European Union take a greater responsibility for managing migration into the bloc, as Greek authorities promised that 12,000 migrants and asylum-seekers left homeless after fire gutted an overcrowded camp would be moved shortly to a new tent city.

By Iliana Mier and Demetris Nellas

Cardinal calls for resettlement of asylum-seekers from Greek island

Sep 9, 2020

Hours after a fire or fires sent thousands of migrants and refugees fleeing their tents and makeshift container homes at the Moria camp on the Greek island of Lesbos, a close aide to Pope Francis called for the permanent resettlement of all the residents.

By Cindy Wooden