Greece to introduce a bill to support ancient Patriarchates and Diaspora clergy

Greece plans to formally establish full-time positions for clergy in Greek communities abroad as part of a new bill aimed at supporting the ancient Patriarchates and the Sinai Monastery. The initiative was announced by Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Minister Sofia Zaharaki during a meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar.

According to Greek news agency Orthodoxia News Agency, the bill will be presented during May and its adoption by parliament is expected by the end of June. The measure is intended to strengthen the position of clergy who feed the Greek diaspora and provide systemic support for the ancient cathedrals in Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his gratitude to the Greek government for its continued attention to issues concerning the Mother Church and compatriots abroad.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed the development of Greek-language education. Sofia Zaharaki announced a number of measures, including extending the allowances for teachers abroad to five years and improving their secondment system. According to the minister, the government is committed to planning staff assignments well in advance and guarantees the timely shipment of teaching materials to schools around the world. «Every year, the ministry sends more than 750 teachers to overseas schools and language centers,» she stressed.

The announcement of this important legislative initiative was made ahead of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s official visit to Athens, which is scheduled to take place between May 4 and 9. Greek authorities are counting on broad support for the bill from the country’s various political parties, given its high importance for Hellenism and Orthodoxy.