Monday, April 1, 2013

Religion

The largest religious denomination in Greece is the Greek Orthodox Church, and Christianity.  This represents the majority of the population and is constitutionally recognized as the "prevailing religion" of Greece (making it one of the few European countries with a state religion).

Other major religions include:  Catholicism, Hellenic Neopaganism, and Islam.

The Church of Greece is largely exempt from taxes, compared to other religious organizations. Furthermore, the mainstream Orthodox clergy's salaries and pensions are being paid for by the State at rates comparable to those of teachers. All Greek students in primary and secondary schools in Greece attend Christian Orthodox instruction, although there is an exemption system for students who do not want to attend, as long as the exemption is requested by both parents. In addition, the Constitution prohibits proselytism (act of attempting to convert people) from other religions, but places no such restrictions on the Orthodox Church.


This is a picture I took of a church in Santorini.
The churches of Santorini, although very much part of the cubist architectural style, show a Western influence in their relatively large size.

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