The Church and the ‘new world’

"A new world has been born and we have to deal with it, and this presents an opportunity for the Church," Archbishop Ieronymos said in an important interview with Kathimerini's executive editor, Alexis Papachelas, last Sunday.

The head of the Church of Greece mentioned the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic - unemployment, hunger, poverty - saying that the Greek Orthodox Church is watching developments and is preparing to act. The Church's role in the economic crisis, along with that of state and municipal agencies, philanthropies and nongovernmental organizations, is well-known. Together they supported those in need, limiting the worst effects of the crisis. It is certain that this valuable contribution will continue.

However, just three days after the archbishop's statements, the Standing Holy Synod, the body which runs the Church on day-to-day issues, saw fit...