Holy Synod on same sex mariage / The Holy Synod met from 9 on Tuesday morning (23\1) on marriage and childbearing by same-sex couples and the related bill. According to reports, decided unanimously that it disagrees with marriage and childbearing for same-sex couples.
In his introduction, the Metropolitan mentioned that the state and the church are two different worlds and pointed out that any issues that exist are resolved by legal regulation in the cohabitation agreement. As reported by ERT journalist Elina Kolyva, the hierarchs said that homosexuality is a deviation from God's law and underlined that the parliamentarians have a heavy responsibility if they vote for it.
The Archbishop of Athens Mr. Hieronymus arrived at the Petraki Monastery around 8:30 without making any statement, while participating 76 Metropolitans. Four metropolitans are missing: Kozani, Mytilene, Zakynthos and Eleftheroupolis.
Regarding the attitude of the Hierarchs towards the bill, it is common and unanimous against the extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples and against procreation.
The difference between the hierarchs is the tones they use in their public postings. Lately, metropolitans have been using particularly harsh language, but some even talk about public gatherings.
But there are also milder and calmer hierarchs, as is Archbishop Hieronymos himself, who in no way wants to cause tensions between Church and State. In fact, he has made it clear that what the Church will do with great responsibility is to inform the world about its positions and why it is reacting to the bill.
Two letters are expected to be prepared at the meeting of the Holy Synod, one to the believers, which will be read in all churches next Sunday and another one, which will be sent to the members of parliament, which will state the reasons why the Church is against it.
The introduction will be made by Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia as President of the special Synodal Committee on Bioethics and will develop the theological and scientific disagreements of the Church.
Immediately after the hierarchs will discuss thoroughly and the communique that will be issued will clearly express the position of the church.