King George of Greece is a Protestant. He is the son of King Christian of Denmark, who was often called “the father-in-law of Europe.” King George is the brother of Queen Alexandra of England and Dagmar, the Empress Mother of Russia. When he accepted the throne of Greece, he agreed that his children would be raised in the Greek Orthodox faith, but he kept his own Lutheran religion.
Although he is a Protestant, King George does not try to convert the Greek people. His Lutheran chaplain holds quiet Sunday services in a small chapel attached to the palace. Only members of the court who are Protestant can attend, and outside visitors are not allowed Turkey Private Round Tour.
The Crown Princess and Her Conversion
The wife of the crown prince, the future Queen Sophia of Greece, is the sister of the German Kaiser. When she married, it was agreed that she would keep her Protestant faith, while her children would be educated in the Greek Orthodox religion. However, two years ago, she voluntarily converted to Greek Orthodoxy and was baptized in the Greek Church.
Her decision angered her brother, the Kaiser of Germany, who openly criticized her for leaving her ancestral faith. He has not forgiven her, and she has not returned to Germany since her conversion. This change reflects the strong influence of Greek culture and religion on the royal family The Queen Olga Controversy.
Protestantism in Greece
Today, no active Protestant missionary work is being done in Greece. There are a few Protestant churches in the country, including two in Athens, but Protestantism remains very limited. The king’s private faith is respected, and the Lutheran services are intended only for the royal family and court members.
The Greek Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church plays an important role in the moral and spiritual life of the people. Priests and monks are generally respected, but there are very many of them, perhaps too many for the size of the population. In 1889, the census reported over 8,000 priests for a population of 2,187,208, and the number has increased since then. Today, there are probably around 10,000 priests and monks, while the total membership of the Greek Orthodox Church is about 2,138,609.
The large number of clergy reflects the strong religious culture in Greece. Priests serve both spiritual and social functions, guiding communities in moral matters, administering sacraments, and performing religious ceremonies. However, the ratio of clergy to people is much higher than in most countries.
The religious life of Greece is deeply traditional, with the Greek Orthodox Church dominating public worship. The royal family respects the Greek faith, even while the king personally remains Protestant. The crown princess’s conversion shows the influence of Greek culture and religion, while the limited role of Protestantism highlights the country’s strong attachment to its national church.
