By Antonis Anzoletou

It is perhaps the first time that the Church, without its leadership wanting it, enters so strongly into the “game” of the ballot box. And the fact that on June 9 the representatives of the country will be determined in Brussels – and not the new government – demonstrates how polarized the climate is. When the bill for the civil marriage of same-sex couples was passed on February 15, several forces were released that are not characterized as rational. A social issue that put an end to divisions was unfortunately the trigger for some extreme circles and not to exploit religion and in its name to operate vote-hunting. The alteration of the message of faith, respect and mutual support has been a fact lately.

The tense climate that has been caused was not helped by many hierarchs who targeted politicians who supported the need for equality.

The results were captured last week in the Parliament where the Plenary was turned into a “ring” for the first time with Konstantinos Floros, former member of the Spartans, allegedly attacking and beating Vassilis Grammenos from the Hellenic Solution. The controversy that has started on the right of the New Democracy is frightening and is part of an environment of extreme behavior that has also been transferred to the churches. It was preceded by Nikos Papadopoulos from Niki who tried to justify the slapping in the churches and then tried to collect them.

THE Kyriakos Velopoulos he asked the MPs who voted for marriage for same-sex couples not to go to church on Easter in order not to provoke and the scene once again caught fire.

Archbishop Hieronymos proved once again that he is a devout Hierarch, as he condemned such statements. “Milos” has become the political scene and everyone is avoiding the worst ahead of the holidays and Holy Week.

From all this upheaval, it is clear that there was a political cost to the current government that decided to vote for the marriage of same-sex couples before the Euro elections. The strengthening of the Greek Solution in particular is estimated to be largely due to this initiative. Kyriakos Velopoulos is clear that he does not want his relations with the Church to break, which is why yesterday he separated his position from his parliamentary representative, Konstantinos Chita, when he used inelegant expressions about the Archbishop.

In this quarter, New Democracy’s relations with the Hierarchy went through “a thousand waves”. The prime minister had been meeting with the Archbishop since January 8 – an appointment that had taken place out of the public eye – and yesterday, with their joint presence in Delesi, a first important step in the restoration of relations was made.

Everything shows that he is closing a front with Kyriakos Mitsotakis drawing a red dividing line from extreme voices with his interview with SKAI. The climate that has been caused and the “holy war” has largely divided the world as well, as it seems that many had invested – possibly guided – in the Easter period in order to cause unrest.

In the discussions about faith and religion, a “wedge” entered recently and SYRIZA with Stefanos Kasselakis surprising everyone with the story he told with the swimming pool and the cross made of oil, which according to testimonies, was formed during his baptism. The Left and the church have always taken different paths, not necessarily in conditions of tension.

During his tour of the islands, the president of SYRIZA has made several visits to churches and monasteries, discussing with priests. He constantly talks about his faith and has declared that he respects the greatness of God’s nature.

The neutrality of the Church from political events should not just be taken for granted, but is imperative. Christ’s saying “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” could be considered as the first declaration of separation of the Church from the state.

There is no doubt that for parties to claim the vote of citizens, exploiting their religious faith, causes confusion and, as recent events show, problematic situations.