Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and all Greece gave an interview regarding the contribution of the Church to the Greek Revolution of 1821.
The interview was given by the Archbishop at the Monastery of Saint Loukas, where according to Archbishop Ieronymos, great figures “who gave everything for the Revolution” lived.
Archbishop Ieronymos also referred to the role of Patriarch Gregory V in the Greek Revolution.
As he stressed, “the actions of Gregory V have been misunderstood. Only those in positions of responsibility can understand what the role of the Patriarch was, as every small revolution meant the massacre of the Patriarch.”
He added that “those who hold administrative positions must consider the impact on the people.”
The Archbishop of Athens stressed that Islam was not a religion but a political party. “They are the people of war,” he said.
He also referred to the secret schools, emphasizing that at that time it was not possible for the Greek children to go to schools.
In the monasteries, the monks were the ones who helped the children. “There were secret schools —fortunately— and we have proof of that,” said the Archbishop.
He underlined once again the important contribution of the clergy in the Greek Revolution of 1821, saying that every signal of revolution was initiated by a monastery and a clergyman.”
According to the Archbishop, “we were not talking about a nation but about Orthodoxy and faith. When the Christians revolted, it was a struggle against the conquerors.”
He even referred to Rigas Feraios, who had said that “what will unite us is the cross,” as well as the oath of the fighters of 1821 “for the faith of Christ, and the freedom of the homeland.”
“We were not talking about a nation then but about Orthodoxy and faith,” said Archbishop Ieronymos, commenting that in 1821 they all revolted together.
“We all fought. Both young and old. Both the rich and the poor. Both the priests and the laity.”
