“For the freedom of the individual, but not to change the structure of society”

In an interview with ANT1 on Friday morning (12/15), Ironimos, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, addressed the issues of everyday life, including fan violence and the serious injury of a policeman, caused by incidents in Rendis.

Regarding the increasing incidents of fan violence and youth violence, Archbishop Hieronymos said:And worse things will follow. We need to look at our education and what we want from our schools. Go to a school today and ask the children “Who is Kolokotronis”, “What did Karaiskakis do”. There are no pictures of them in the classrooms… they took down the schools“, Archbishop Ironimos stressed: “The child asks for a role model. If the Ministry of Education does not set standards for children, I do not see where we are going and what we want.».

Regarding the problems facing the Church today, Mr. Hieronymus underlined “The Church today needs reflective people»: «There are many difficulties in our area as well. From priestless villages come people unprepared for the priesthood. They come because they cannot find work anywhere else. They don’t become priests – they do (in terms of work) but they don’t help the world as priests.».

He agreed”We are not successful in bringing young people to church. No one wins“and clarified”That is not our goal. The goal of the church is to function as a family“, adding: “There are things that have gone well, there are things that have stagnated, and there are some that we haven’t succeeded in”, and he added, “Actions have to be done for the people.».

On the topic of the elderly, Archbishop Hieronymos emphasized: “We need to take care of the elderly, which is a big issue today. Elderly people are our parents. We love them and someone has to take care of them while we work.” “The Church has no role in apologizing to everyone.“, write.

refers to Church property he said: “Minister Mina Gaga has asked me to provide a site for the hospital which we have been providing for 20 years. In fact, he noted: “We still don’t have a hospital because ENFIA has not been paid».

Decisions of the Holy Synod on same-sex marriage

Asked about the bill for same-sex couples, Archbishop Hieronymos said:Same-sex marriage is a big issue. The Church has not taken an official position, but the Synod is meeting tomorrow (Saturday 16/12). This is an opportunity to “light” the issue, and I am determined to raise it and talk about it. I have a personal opinion but you will learn it from the Holy Synod. I got my lawyer and he helped me draft my submission and I will announce my position tomorrow. The Synod will not make a decision, we will examine it, we will exchange opinions, and once the government decides, the entire hierarchy of the Church of Greece will meet and make its decisions..

The Church has always believed in the freedom of man, but we will not allow it to change the structure of society. What will the child who takes my fellowship be like tomorrow? Therein lies the difference of opinion. What human rights does a child (of a same-sex couple) have? Who is his mother and who is his father? He will have two mothers or two fathers. We value freedom for every person, but I don’t let it change my lifestyle. I personally disagree with the adoption issue.»

As he pointed out, the archbishop’s objection was not to same-sex marriage, but to procreation by same-sex couples.

“I got a new ID”

Finally, Archbishop Hieronymos revealed that he had received a new identity card. “I personally got a new ID. But the archbishop cannot be an advocate for the issue or an example of “bring your ID card and follow him.” Some people want it, they need it, but I won’t get into it, I got ID as a citizen, not an archbishop. Anyone can enter our country if they have permission from the government” he said.

To Father Antonio: “I told him his path was not right”

«I pointed out to him that the path you are on is not the right one“, Archbishop Ironimos spoke of, among others, Father Antonio.

“I told him to enter the church under the control of the church, you will have all the skills to work. He listened, he did not listen, but sometimes people around us make fun of us,” Archbishop Hieronymos noted about Father Antonio.

And he continued: “I can’t say yet, Antonio didn’t do it alone. Even if he did it, he’s my child. I’m not a police officer, I’m not a judge, I’m a father. Until the final decision comes from the court, we have to wait,” he said.