Metropolitan Jerome of Larissa: Social Media Cannot Replace Active Participation in Church Life

Metropolitan Jerome of Larissa and Tirnavos emphasized in a recent interview that, despite the benefits of digital technology in education, online communication cannot fully replace real church life and participation in divine services. According to the Vima Orthodoxias website, Church representatives should use modern media, such as YouTube and TikTok, only as a tool to engage young people and introduce them to the basics of the faith.

During the discussion, Bishop Jerome noted that the primary task of clergy online is to guide users toward real-life interaction with the parish community. Personal attendance at the Liturgy, confession, and Communion remain indispensable elements of spiritual life that cannot be transferred to a virtual space.

The article pays particular attention to the issue of content authenticity. The Metropolitan warned that the mere fact that a person in a cassock appears on screen is no guarantee of his affiliation with the canonical Church or the truthfulness of his statements. In this regard, the Church leadership urges clergy to avoid confusing personal opinions with official Church doctrine. Young clergy are advised to exercise caution and responsibility when publishing materials so that their enthusiasm does not conflict with theological tradition.

It was also noted that the Holy Synod had previously issued circulars requiring the monitoring of content on the official websitesresources of dioceses and monasteries to ensure that it strictly conforms to church dogma and does not mislead the faithful.