Greek Church comes out against cancellation of morning prayers in school

Before the beginning of the academic year all academic institutions of Greece received the circular from the Ministry of Education, which for the first time did not mention morning prayer. “The daily school program begins at 8 AM… At 8:10 after the bell the entrances are closed and the students gather in their assigned places, with all teachers supervising them,” states the ministry’s circular.

However, the Greek Orthodox Church insists that morning prayer in schools not be abolished. According to the statement of the Church’s Permanent Synod, common prayer amongst students and teachers is in accordance with that which was stipulated in a presidential decree of 1998, which has not been annulled.

On Monday, September 5, 2016 the first meeting of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece took place under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece.

One of the meeting’s key themes was that of common prayer in educational institutions.

“In connection with publications in which it is mentioned that school prayer is canceled, we clarify that morning prayer in schools is provided for in accordance with Presidential Decree 201/1998. The same order is repeated in the Ministry of Education’s circular which reminds us that 'the directives of Presidential Decree 201/1998 are in effect…” stresses the statement of the Holy Synod of the Greek Church.

“In particular, in accordance with article 13, paragraph 5 of Presidential Decree 201/1998 it is stipulated that “before the beginning of lessons, common prayer between students and teachers is to be carried out in the schoolyard. This responsibility is placed upon the teachers on duty…” clarifies the statement.

Orthodoxy is the state religion in Greece; ninety-eight percent of its citizens belong to the Greek Orthodox Church. At the same time, the constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens.

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