A sharp increase in attacks targeting the Orthodox Church was recorded in 2023, according to the Report on Incidents Against Sites of Religious Importance in Greece released by the General Secretariat for Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports.
The report revealed a total of 608 incidents against sites of religious importance, with 591 of them directed at the Orthodox Church—accounting for 97.20% of all recorded incidents. This marks an alarming rise compared to previous years, highlighting a troubling trend of violence against the dominant religious community in Greece.
Breakdown of Incidents
The report is divided into three parts:
- Institutional Framework: It outlines the role of the General Secretariat for Religious Affairs in protecting religious freedom, as well as the regulatory framework for the operation of places of worship.
- Incident Analysis: A detailed breakdown of the 608 incidents:
- Christianity: 599 incidents (97.20% Orthodox Church, 0.99% Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece, 0.33% Jehovah’s Witnesses).
- Judaism: 6 anti-Semitic incidents (0.99%).
- Islam: 3 incidents targeting Muslim sites (0.49%).
- Geographical and Statistical Representation: The report provides visual maps and graphs illustrating the geographical distribution, timeline, and detection rates of the incidents.
In his introductory remarks, Secretary General for Religious Affairs, George Kalantzis, noted that most incidents were not primarily motivated by religious animosity, a point he viewed as optimistic. Kalantzis emphasized the importance of collaboration between the State and religious communities to strengthen social cohesion, address poverty, and support migrants and refugees.
The significant rise in incidents, particularly against the Orthodox Church, underscores the need for vigilance and proactive measures to protect religious sites and promote harmony among diverse communities in Greece. Enhanced cooperation between government authorities and faith groups is crucial in fostering tolerance and addressing the root causes of such acts of violence.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
