The municipality of Thessaloniki clarified that it did not give any permission for a ceremony in the so-called “Church of the Nations”.
Unbelievable and yet real… On two Sunday evenings, in the summer, exorcism ceremonies took place in a public space in the center of Thessaloniki, specifically in Aristotelous. The ceremonies were allegedly performed by the self-proclaimed “Church of the Nations.”
More specifically, behind the statue of Venizelos, on two Sundays, one in July and one in August, the outdoor “church” was set up with chairs and a large screen showing videos from other ceremonies. Several people, as can be seen in the video that secured it Voria, participated in the ritual. The event and what took place during the exorcisms were presented on the large screen that had been installed. “Get out, get out” one of the organizers could be heard shouting in front of a woman during the ceremony.
The issue with the ceremonies in a public place caused reactions from the residents of the area, who informed the municipality of Thessaloniki.
Municipality of Thessaloniki: No permission was given
The issue of exorcisms in Aristotelous was brought to the Municipal Council by the independent municipal councilor Drosos Tsavlis, while a question was addressed to the administration of the municipality by the independent councillor, Ioanna Spanou.
No permission was given to the so-called “Church of the Nations”, clarified the deputy mayor of Finance Michalis Kupkas, who is responsible for the issues of concessions of public spaces. As Mr. Koupkas explained, the specific “Church” carried out these events, without his knowledge and without having been given permission to grant the public space.
“The request came to my office on August 10. Even today permission has not been given. We are investigating it with the help of the legal service of the municipality of Thessaloniki.
As you understand, we will have to see if it is really a church that is recognized and if it has all the legalization documents it needs to have in order to be granted the common space”, pointed out the deputy mayor. Mr. Kupkas informed both the police authorities of the city and the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs about the matter.
In fact, Mr. Kupkas revealed that he has been asked for the north side of Aristotelous for four more Sundays in September (4, 11, 18 and 25).
“I made it clear to the representative of this Church that such a concession cannot be made as the common area cannot be used as an open-air church, where prayers, rituals will be held,” he stressed.
“I respect religious freedom, the right of every person to believe where he thinks, but without offending good morals, public order, and of course not proselytizing anyone,” clarified Mr. Kupkas.
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