In an interview with the newspaper Ta Nea, given to journalist Dimitris Alexopoulos, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece speaks about the “day after” in the Church of Greece, the new generation of hierarchs, Church–State relations, migration, and the future of Saint Catherine’s Monastery of Sinai, while also referring to his relationship with the late Archbishop Christodoulos.
Looking back on 45 years of episcopal ministry, 18 of them as Archbishop, Archbishop Ieronymos expresses “a great thank you to God” and to the people who supported him along the way, speaking with particular emotion about his mother, “the much-respected Dimitra,” as he says, as well as about his teacher, Ms. Loukia, whom he describes as “a hero of her time.” He recalls memories from his childhood and upbringing, noting that “I miss my mother very much after so many years.”
On youth and cooperation with the State
The Archbishop notes that he has launched a program that “has begun to bear fruit,” aiming at a “broad framework of cooperation with the State” for structures and initiatives that will help young people see and hear before making their choices. “Young people today need to listen and to see everything before they choose,” he emphasizes.
In the same spirit, he explains his remark to the Minister of Economy, Pierrakakis, and the Minister of Energy, Papastavrou—“Come, we need you”—saying that the undertaking is difficult but necessary: the Church cannot on its own run educational and pedagogical programs, nor can the State by itself address matters of faith, upbringing, and family. “We therefore need to look at things from a new perspective and arrive at a new way of cooperation between the State and the Church, in a spirit of constructive partnership,” he notes.
As an example, he refers to the Student Residence of the Apostoliki Diakonia in Agia Varvara and to the discussion that has opened regarding housing for students, young people and young couples, as well as the utilization of Church property.
Church property: “Financial autonomy – not ‘money set aside’”
The Archbishop places particular emphasis on the issue of Church property, stressing that “the Church cannot move forward without financial autonomy.” At the same time, he clarifies that its utilization is not about accumulation: it is not, as he says, “about making money and stockpiling funds”—a notion he characterizes as “malicious myths.” The goal is for resources “to become tools for our children, for our poor, and for those who are struggling.”
Regarding the prospect of a full separation between Church and State, he adopts a cautious stance, speaking of “dangerous paths” for the nation, while also referring to the historical ordeals of Church property. At the same time, he acknowledges that dialogue has taken place with different governments and notes that “we were able to cooperate with all of them.”
Migration: “An emerging risk – we must remain cautious”
On migration, Archbishop Ieronymos speaks of “an emerging risk that is growing,” and says that a stance of caution is needed: “Not negative, but cautious.”
He recalls that the Church offered tangible support to refugees and migrants, but says that he now has “questions” about how the issue is developing. He clearly distinguishes refugees from migrants, and also from those who “cross borders illegally” and “do not accept, but challenge the customs, traditions, and values of the place.”
St. Catherine’s Monastery of Sinai: “The problem remains – great damage has been done”
Regarding the Monastery of Saint Catherine at Sinai, the Archbishop expresses pessimism, saying that “the problem remains” and that it is “very serious.”
He insists that part of the solution also lies in internal self-criticism: had the principles of monastic life and the identity of the Monastery been strictly upheld, “it would not be in danger from anywhere.” “We must look within ourselves to identify what needs to be healed,” he notes, adding that “great damage has been done.”
“The day after” and succession
Responding about the future of the Church of Greece, he notes that the greater part of the Hierarchy has been elected over the past 18 years and speaks of “very many good hierarchs.” He acknowledges that they may not be as outward-looking as necessary, but considers that this may also be due to a sense of tact and respect toward his person.
In one of the most characteristic remarks of the interview, Archbishop Ieronymos says: “I want to live, but I can live even without necessarily being Archbishop.”
He adds that “the end comes to everyone,” and explains that he has two main “dreams”: to leave behind a Church with “fewer and smaller problems,” with hierarchs who love the country and tradition “without extremes,” and to leave Church property “free from encroachers.”
As for his successor, he avoids naming names: “Only God knows… The person does not concern me.” What matters to him is that the next Primate “loves people,” cares for the vulnerable, and “has deep kindness within him.”
On Archbishop Christodoulos: “We forgave one another”
The Archbishop also refers to the late Archbishop Christodoulos, acknowledging that there were difficulties in their relationship: “We both made our mistakes… What united us was our love for the homeland and for the Church.” He stresses that, despite the involvement of “third parties,” there was reconciliation in the end: “We forgave one another — man to man, and priest to priest.”
Message to the Diaspora and to the youth
Speaking about the Diaspora, he says it is “a Greece next to Greece,” and that we owe our compatriots abroad one thing: the continuous “export” of our culture, our history, our ancient literature, and the writings of the Holy Fathers, using modern means, so that younger generations may preserve their language and identity.
Concluding with images of schoolchildren whose voices he hears from the window of the Archdiocese, he insists that “these children are tomorrow,” and that we must “embrace them and care for them,” so that they may become citizens of the world who “carry the scent of Greece and Orthodoxy.”
