Its regret for the desecration of the Holy Church of Agios Achilleios of Larisa and the misinformation on the internet with a (two months ago) video clip of the vespers at the celebratory Holy Church of Agios Spyridon in Corfu, was expressed in today’s (Wednesday) announcement by the Permanent Holy Synod of Church of Greece of the 167th Synodal Period for the month of February.

He commented, in fact, that “these and other incidents are part of the general context of the phenomena of decline”.

It is noted that the work of the Permanent Holy Synod of the Church of Greece was completed at noon.

According to the announcement, in more detail:

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, the Permanent Holy Synod of the Church of Greece of the 167th Synodical Period convened, under the presidency of the archbishop of Athens and all Greece, Ieronymos.

Before the session, Metropolitan Seraphim of Karystia and Skyros, on behalf of the synods, expressed to the archbishop of Athens and all Greece Hieronymos, their heartfelt wishes for the joyous and blessed anniversary of the sixteen years since his restoration to the Archbishop’s Throne of the Church of Greece, symbolically offering him an engolpion. His Beatitude thanked the archpriests and, in their person, all the metropolitans, who make up the Holy Synod of the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece, for the excellent cooperation throughout the years of his Archdiocese.

Also, during its sessions, the BIS:

– He was informed by the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports about the upcoming agreement on the draft memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth of the Republic of Cyprus, the Church of Greece, the Central Jewish Council of Greece and the Jewish Museum of Greece. The signing of the memorandum will take place in Nicosia on February 27, 2024 and the Church of Greece will be represented by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneia and Komotini.

– He was informed by Bishop Tanagras Apostolos, director of the Office of the delegation of the Church of Greece in Brussels, about the activities of the Office during the period from February 28, 2023 to February 5, 2024 and further instructions were given regarding its operation. He also approved the Office’s request to sign a memorandum with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, which will aim to strengthen research, innovation and technology, in areas related to Europe’s cultural and Orthodox heritage.

– Approved the proposals of: a) the Apostolic Ministry of the Church of Greece regarding the organization of the “Foreign Mission Week”, during the period from 24 to 30 March 2024, and b) the Synodal Committee on Ecclesiastical Education and Formation of the clergy for the celebration of the week of Priestly Vocations in the 3rd Week of Lent, from Monday April 1st until Holy Cross Sunday April 7th 2024.

– He was informed about the new pastoral ministry of the Holy Diocese of Chios, Psara and Oinoussa with the title “”As if from Greece….” – Philological Elitarion”. It is a series of speeches and topics from Ancient, Latin, Byzantine and Modern Greek Literature and History, which will take place at the Library of the Holy Metropolis “AGIOS AGAPITOS”.

– He was informed by the Synodal Committee on Ecclesiastical Education and Training of the clergy about the announcement for the admission of male and female students to Ecclesiastical Schools, for the school year 2024-2025, which was sent by the Directorate of Religious Education of the Ministry of Education, Religions and Sports.

– Approved the recommendation of the Synod Committee on Orthodox and Inter-Christian Relations regarding the organization of the 3rd Theological Conference of the foreign scholars of the Church of Greece, on May 16, 2024.

– Approved the 2023 financial management income-expenditure account of the pan-Hellenic holy pilgrimage “PANAGIA SOUMELA”.