'Economic deadlock': Village parishes in Greece face a sharp decline in income

The economic situation in many Greek churches is becoming increasingly critical as church revenues are declining and operating expenses are rising. Some churches’ revenues are down 50% from three years ago, while electricity, water, cleaning and maintenance costs continue to rise. This is reported by Vima Orthodoxias.

Priests across Greece, including Athens and Thessaloniki, have expressed concern over the financial instability, saying many churches are struggling to cover even basic expenses. “There are churches that are at risk of not being able to pay even the electricity bill,” notes Father Dimitrios, a priest at the central church in Athens.

The problem is particularly acute in rural areas, where the population is aging and young people are moving to the cities. “In some villages there are only a few parishioners left. Only 10-15 people may come to the service on Sunday, making it almost impossible to cover the parish’s expenses,” says Father George from a village in Messinia.

The financial burden is compounded by the compulsory dues that parishes must pay to local archdioceses. These fees are a major source of income for church administrations, but they place an additional burden on small parishes that are already struggling financially.

The priests are calling on the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church to intervene and develop new economic policies, especially for rural communities. “A middle ground must be found so that parishes, especially in villages, can survive. Without support, many churches will face serious problems in their activities,” Fr. George emphasizes.

This problem affects the entire church life in Greece, and without a new plan to support parishes, especially in smaller communities, the situation is likely to worsen in the coming years.