A simple calculation shows that in Greece there is roughly one priest for every two hundred people. This means the clerical profession is crowded, and the people are required to support it financially. There are 170 monasteries with over 1,900 monks, and 9 nunneries with about 220 nuns. The head of the church, called the Metropolitan, is elected by the Holy Synod, which includes 21 archbishops and 29 bishops. All of these church officials are supported by the taxpayers.
Nominally, the church is under the care of the Patriarch of Constantinople, but his authority is mostly formal. In practice, he does not interfere with the internal affairs of the Greek Church The King and His Faith.
Low Compensation for Clergy
The salary of the clergy is very small. The Metropolitan receives only about $120 per month, while bishops earn $50 per month. In Athens, the most prominent parish priests earn no more than $500 a year, and many country priests survive on very little, often receiving payment in the form of produce from local farms. Monks are somewhat better off because they belong to orders that own property.
Because of these low wages, ordinary country priests often need to work like the villagers to earn a living. Despite this, they maintain their duties faithfully and live modest, disciplined lives Turkey Private Tours.
Marriage and Family Life
Greek priests are allowed to marry, and most of them have large families. By tradition, sons often follow in their father’s profession and become priests themselves. Priests cannot take a second wife under church law, so they are expected to take good care of their first family.
People who know them well describe country priests as honorable, sincere, and devoted, living lives of self-sacrifice. They provide comfort and guidance to people who are poorer or in distress, showing care for their communities beyond their spiritual duties.
Appearance and Dress
Greek priests wear long hair and beards, following the example of the Savior. Their clerical dress is a long frock similar to that of Roman Catholic priests, reaching the heels, often accompanied by a black chimney-pot hat without a brim. Sometimes, they also wear a veil over the shoulders, especially during religious ceremonies.
Despite the low salaries and difficult conditions, Greek priests are generally respected and trusted by their communities. They perform their spiritual duties with dedication, care for their parishioners, and maintain the religious traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church.
