Greek Orthodox Church
In rights landmark, Greek novelist and lawyer are the first same-sex couple wed at Athens city hall
By Associated Press — March 11, 2024
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A cross-party majority of Greek lawmakers approved same-sex marriage in a vote on Feb. 15, despite strong opposition from the socially conservative Orthodox Church.
Church authorities in Greece slap religious ban on local politicians who backed same-sex marriage
By Associated Press — March 6, 2024
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Church authorities on the northwestern island of Corfu accused the two opposition lawmakers of committing “the deepest spiritual and moral error” in voting for the law, which was approved with cross-party support on Feb. 15.
Greece just legalized same-sex marriage. Will other Orthodox countries join them any time soon?
By Dasha Litvinova and Peter Smith — February 16, 2024
Roughly 200 million Eastern Orthodox live primarily in Eastern Europe and neighboring Asian lands, with about half that total in Russia, while smaller numbers live across the world.
Greece becomes first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex civil marriage
By Nicholas Paphitis — February 15, 2024
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Supporters, waving rainbow banners, and opponents of the bill, holding religious icons and praying, held separate small, peaceful gatherings outside parliament Thursday.
Greek lawmakers are debating a landmark bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Here’s what it means
By Derek Gatopoulos — February 14, 2024
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The journey toward legalizing same-sex civil marriage in Greece has been long and contentious, with governments in the past shying away from a confrontation with the Orthodox Church.
Greek bill on marriage for LGBTQ couples tests Orthodox Church’s historic influence
By David I. Klein — January 24, 2024
(RNS) — The Greek Orthodox Church opposition to legalizing marriage for anyone but traditional heterosexual couples is testing the church's influence over Greek life.
Orthodox mark Christmas, but the celebration is overshadowed for many by conflict
By The Associated Press — January 8, 2024
(AP) — Orthodox Christians packed churches Saturday night for Christmas Eve services, a holiday overshadowed for many believers by conflict.
Greek government says it stands by same-sex marriage pledge even after opposition from the Church
By Derek Gatopoulos — December 22, 2023
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The legislation would be brought to parliament during the house's current term, which ends in 2027, said government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis.
Church: Israel limiting rights of ‘Holy Fire’ worshippers
By Laurie Kellman and Audrey Horowitz — April 12, 2023
JERUSALEM (AP) — The chief superintendent of the Jerusalem District Police told reporters that the police's top priority is safety on a day when Muslims, Christians and Jews are celebrating their own holidays in the square-kilometer (square-half mile) Old City.
Greek Orthodox church at World Trade Center reopens at last
By Karen Matthews — December 7, 2022
NEW YORK (AP) — The new St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine hosted its first liturgy service on Tuesday to mark the Feast of St. Nicholas and is preparing to welcome visitors who want to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Greek officials, Church, condemn ex-bishop’s remarks on rape
By Associated Press — September 6, 2022
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The Greek Orthodox Church and several politicians condemned retired bishop Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Dodoni for his "inconceivable" comments on rape and abuse victims.
Do the Gospels really worry about supporting the nuclear family?
By John Chryssavgis — August 9, 2022
(RNS) — Why those removed from the world should refrain from declarations on marriage and family.
Uh-oh, the Greek Orthodox archbishop of America is a liberal
By Mark Silk — July 26, 2022
(RNS) — His baptizing of a gay couple’s children is only the most recent case in point.
Pope Francis decries ‘folly’ of war as tensions grow in Ukraine
By Claire Giangravé — February 23, 2022
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — As war looms in Europe, Pope Francis called for a global day of fasting and prayer on Ash Wednesday.
Pope heads to Cyprus and Greece, raising hopes he will change conversation on refugees
By Claire Giangravé — December 1, 2021
(RNS) — Five years ago, Pope Francis took 12 refugees with him from a camp in Greece. Migrants and asylum-seekers in Greece and Cyprus hope he will do so again.
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