Greece’s Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Sofia Zacharaki, announced a major government initiative to formally establish a legal framework for clergy serving in the Greek diaspora during her visit on April 27 to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
During her meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the minister outlined plans for new legislation aimed at supporting diaspora clergy and strengthening the Ancient Patriarchates. She described the initiative as a key institutional step that would also extend support to the Monastery of Sinai.
Zacharaki emphasized that the proposed law is part of a broader strategy to reinforce the role and mission of the ancient Patriarchates. She noted that the draft legislation is expected to be released for public consultation soon, with a parliamentary vote anticipated in June. The minister also expressed hope for cross-party backing, highlighting the importance of broad political consensus for the initiative.
She added that other Patriarchates, including those of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, will be officially informed about the new framework, underlining its wider ecclesiastical significance.
Patriarch Bartholomew welcomed the initiative and thanked the Greek government, and the minister personally, for their continued support and interest in matters affecting the Mother Church and the Greek Orthodox communities in Constantinople, Imbros, and Tenedos. In response, Zacharaki reaffirmed Greece’s longstanding commitment to supporting the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its global spiritual mission.
Strengthening Greek Education Abroad
Beyond ecclesiastical matters, the minister also addressed efforts to enhance Greek-language education in Constantinople and across the diaspora. She highlighted improvements in financial support for educators abroad, noting that a fifth year of additional allowance has now been secured for teachers serving overseas. The measure will also apply retroactively.
Zacharaki further pledged that teacher secondments for the 2026–2027 academic year will be announced earlier than in previous years, ensuring better planning and organization. She also confirmed that the timely distribution of textbooks to Greek schools abroad remains a priority, with thousands of copies sent worldwide annually.
Emphasizing the importance of human resources, the minister noted that more than 750 teachers are seconded each year by the Ministry to support Greek-language programs and schools abroad.
Present during the meeting were Konstantinos Koutras, Ambassador and Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, and on behalf of the Patriarchate, Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Patriarchal Private Office.
Photo: Nikos Papachristou
