Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and Greek Minister of Culture discuss Church-State relations

Yesterday, 3 September 2024, His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece held a meeting with Lina Mendoni, the Greek Minister of Culture, at the Archdiocese of Athens. The discussion covered a range of topics of mutual interest, particularly focusing on significant Church monuments.

During a press briefing, Archbishop Ieronymos highlighted their conversation about the preservation and importance of these cultural landmarks. Addressing questions about Church-State relations, the Archbishop emphasised that while the Church and State have areas of potential cooperation, the Church upholds certain principles that cannot be compromised. He stated, “The State has broader responsibilities where we can collaborate. We strive to cooperate, but we also have principles that we cannot limit.”

The meeting was attended by the Protosyncellus of the Holy Archdiocese, Archimandrite Varnavas Theocharis, and Archimandrite Nikodimos Farmakis, General Director of the Ecclesiastical Central Financial Service (EKYO).

Photograph: Christos Bonis / Church of Greece