Anthimos urges faithful to attend vigil ahead of Thessaloniki gay pride parade

Anthimos, the senior Greek Orthodox cleric in Thessaloniki, on Wednesday lashed out at a planned gay pride parade in the northern port city, urging the faithful to attend a vigil ahead of the event, which is scheduled to take place on June 19 and 20.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Thessaloniki bishop protested the ?unpleasant, unacceptable and condemnable presence of homosexuals.?

He called citizens to protect their children against ?unholy and unnatural festivals.?

Anthimos has repeatedly opposed gay pride events in Thessaloniki.