The eyes of the church world in Greece will be on the meeting of the Standing Holy Synod, which begins today and will be concluded on Thursday.
The Synod is expected to be informed of the process of discussion between the Special Committee and the members of the government committee on issues concerning Church and State relations, as reflected in the latest developments and proposals on payment regime of the priests and constitution revision.
It is reminded that the Special Committee for the Study of Common Interests of the Church and State has met with representatives of the State a few weeks ago.
They referred to the proposed Agreement between the State and the Church, which was submitted to the Committee during the previous meeting on February 12 at the Ministry of Education.
The Special Committee has stated that “we would send a document to the Standing Holy Synod, with which our Commission will outline its views on the proposals and will brief on its work to date, because the proposed agreement provides for a change in the payment regime, which goes beyond the mandate given to our Commission by the Holy Synod of the Hierarchy. Therefore, the Holy Synod of the Hierarchy is the only competent body to take appropriate decisions.”
The letter of Metropolitan Symeon of Smyrna to the members of the Standing Holy Synod is eagerly awaited to be discussed.
It is reminded that in his letter yesterday, Metropolitan Symeon raised objections to the appointment of the Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece as Locum Tenens in the Metropolis of Glyfada after the passing away of Metropolitan Pavlos.