This year's regular session of the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece addressed the theme "Modern crisis from the ecclesiastical point of view." Studied "the causes of diverse modern crisis" and examined the possibility to contribute to the rectification of it beginning from the fact - and simultaneously challenge - "Church as hope and unity of society and as a meaning of the human life."
Contributions and speeches of Eminence Bishops actually helped to understand that the diverse failures and problems plaguing the global and Greek society, the crisis of institutions and values and the lack of meaning of life, is a result of the arrogant management of life and misuse of God's creation and the greedy desire to acquire social goods at the expense of the poor and the weak.
The economic crisis is the visible result of the general moral and spiritual crisis. At the same time, it became apparent that Church has the duty and ability to support our people to their problems, to cultivate hope and stand directly and effectively alongside each one of our brothers in need an troubles, regardless of colour, language, religion and culture .
The crisis has made it clear that the formation of modern social life guided by individualism and a denial of God's presence in our lives led to devastation of human dignity and the prevalence of meritocracy and disregard for the suffering of our neighbour.
This situation, for the creation of which we all share a small or large amount of responsibility, is unsuited to the tradition of our country. The only exit from this dead end is to change this attitude. It is time for repentance to us all. Our people have been living and continue to live, inspired and guided by their faith in Christ and were taught by Church how to move from slavery of self-centredness to the freedom of "We", from the slavery of consumerism in the joy of creation and offering.
This ethos is expressed in words and actions of the Church and in this context, with alert and affectionate interest, is studying with seriousness and responsibility issues that may be conceiving dangers of corruption and differentiation of our faith and our national and social life, such as citizen’s card, issues concerning the teaching of Religious Education, History and Language in Schools, the Immigration in order to submit soon its views to the responsible organs of the State and inform the people of God.
Church of Christ, as the only rescuing Ark, seeing man as a psychosomatic entity, invites all to prayer and unity of souls, through the unity of faith and communion of the Holy Spirit and assures the people of God, particularly the young people, to continue with all her strength, the great charity and welfare work, despite the economic difficulties that she herself faces.
Source: Newsletter "Pronaos" of the Church of Greece
(Translation by ORTHODOXIA team)