From the early hours of the morning, hundreds of members of the LGBTQ+ community gathered in Syntagma Square and outside the Greek Parliament to celebrate this significant day of the passage of the bill recognizing same-sex marriage and adoption of children by same-sex couples. At the same time, a group of opponents of this bill gathered in the square.
Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos called hold a roll-call vote on the law, with the help of which the government intends to transfer minor children to LGBTQ+ couples, but it was not heard in parliament.
Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeusspeaking on ΣΚΥΙ TV on January 31, was “furious” against those voting for the bill on same-sex couples promoted by the Mitsotakis government, and also spoke about LGBT propaganda against Christian countries promoted by the United States.
On Thursday, February 8, an extraordinary double Holy Synod, on the occasion of the adoption of the bill on marriage and childbearing for LGBTQ+ couples. A statement was published expressing complete disagreement with him, it is emphasized that “This is an obscene attack on human nature.”
Despite 76 “no” votes in parliament and some 46 MPs abstaining, Greece became the 21st country in Europe, 16th in the European Union and 37th in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill on marriage and childbearing for couples of any gender was passed with 176 votes in favor.
Σήμερα κάτι άλλαξε.
Αύριο κάποιοι θα έχουν ίσα δικαιώματα. Αυτό είναι ένα καλό νέο μετά από καιρό. Ας χαρούμε.#βουλη #γαμος_ομοφυλων #γαμος pic.twitter.com/Sm8fbGsxQI— • I-Xasou • (@XrhstosVas) February 15, 2024
“At the same time, after the publication of the law in the Government Gazette, very important legal problems for families of same-sex couples who already have children are being resolved. Civil marriage is now an inalienable right of all citizens, regardless of gender, and the right to have children through adoption is guaranteed to couples of any gender “, the publication quotes the law in.gr.
δόξα τω θεώ
και περαστικά
στους καπηλευτές του“Η οµοφυλοφιλία δεν είναι επιλογή για να είναι αµαρτία. Η αµαρτία προϋποθέτει επιλογή."
– πάτερ Φιλόθεος Φάρος#γαμος_ομοφυλοφιλων#γαμος_ομοφυλων #ΛΟΑΤΚΙ pic.twitter.com/voyp5C7qQR— Πάνος Αναστασίου (@anastasioupan) February 15, 2024
Thank God and speedy recovery to those who took it. “Homosexuality is not a choice of sin. Charity implies a choice” – Father Philotheus Pharos. #homosexual_marriages #homosexual_marriages #LGBTQI
Small pride with smiles, slogans and songs
By midday, crowds began to flock to Parliament House to celebrate the important day. With songs, slogans, placards and banners, and most importantly, joyful smiles, members of the LGBTQ+ community and those who support them gathered to celebrate a new chapter in Greek history.
Despite the rather sluggish – but expected – reaction of the Greek Church, as well as criticism from circles defending traditional values (rally participants called this obscurantism) in parliament (V. Stygas, A. Samaras and others), all representatives of the LGBTQ+ community now have the right to civil marriage and adoption of children.
Protest rally against LGBTQ+ marriages and adoption of children by same-sex couples
Simultaneously with the rally of supporters of the law, its opponents also gathered at the parliament building on Syntagma Square.
Some protesters burned incense to give the event a more spiritual feel.
Some held cards in their hands and chanted “Motherland-religion-family.” Protesters told the media that such a bill was “harmful for children who will grow up in same-sex families.”
Judging by the monks’ attire, it appears that the protesters are followers of the Old Calendarists – Παλαιοημερολογίτες – an independent Greek church that split from the canonical Orthodox Church by refusing to accept the revised Julian calendar and more radically.
It should be recalled that this does not mean that the official Greek Orthodox Church supports the bill. Against. It simply refrains from organizing protests, taking an essentially neutral position for purely economic reasons.
Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos called hold a roll-call vote on the law, with the help of which the government intends to transfer minor children to LGBTQ+ couples, but it was not heard in parliament.
In fact, from the awkward situation caused by his inadequate reaction, he will be rescued by members of the New Democracy party, as well as PASOK and SYRIZA, who intend to vote for this bill. Simply put, the names of those who voted will be “posted” in churches, they will be declared undesirable and… it will all end there. No one will worry that the church is, in fact, rather lax about what is about to happen.
Many Greek priests from the canonical Orthodox Church were more radical in their statementsdespite the reluctance of the church leadership to protest against the bill
Known for his appearances on TV and radio, Archimandrite Seraphim, speaking on television on Wednesday morning (14/2) about the bill that the government submitted to the plenary session of parliament, emphasized that “Deputies who vote for this bill will lose their status as church members.”
“I will stand at the door. For Mr. Spanakis, Mr. Dendias. I will lay laurels on Mrs. Anna Karamanlis,” – he said. “Whether a homosexual came to ask for my help, I will not answer you. But we will provide spiritual help to everyone. The confessor will judge what repentance means. The temple belongs to the members of the church,” – he further emphasized.
The Greeks remember with sadness the former Archbishop – Christodolus. In their words: “Christodoulos would not allow such crap. Jerome has become too much and agrees with everything. He is already tired of everything, and he is preparing to leave”…
Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus: “Last year the US allocated $4 billion for LGBTI promotion”
Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeusspeaking on ΣΚΥΙ TV on January 31, was “furious” against those voting for the bill on same-sex couples promoted by the Mitsotakis government, and also spoke about LGBT propaganda against Christian countries promoted by the United States.
“Huge amounts of money are spent on LGBT advocacy. Last year alone, the US government spent $4 billion promoting LGBTI people around the world.”
Ο Μητροπολίτης Σεραφειμ Πειραιώς μιλάει για τη ΛΟΑΤΚΙ ατζέντα,την κατάργηση της πατρότητας κ της μητρότητας,τη χρηματοδότηση για την προπαγάνδα κ την πλύση εγκεφάλου στις δυτικές κοινωνιες κ τονίζει πως όσοι πολιτικοί ψηφίσουν το νομοσχέδιο δε θα ειναι ευπρόσδεκτοι στην Εκκλησία. pic.twitter.com/Jtumrk7WZM
— Anonymous Patriot (@anonpatr) January 31, 2024
He also talked about the upcoming infringement of parental rights in Greece, which will be contested in the European courts for the second year, and now we will talk about “parent 1 and parent 2”.
In his opinion, “real homosexuality does not exist, it is an act.” Metropolitan Seraphim said that he views homosexuality “as the pinnacle of evil” because “it is a sin that deprives a person of communion with God, because it stains the body, stains the soul.”
“Psychopathological deviations do exist. And therefore, it is illogical for a legal order to appear and surround this deviation with the authority of marriage, perceived as the primary unit of life, which is the family,” the bishop emphasized.
Athonites also opposed
On Thursday, February 8, an extraordinary double Holy Synod, on the occasion of the adoption of the bill on marriage and childbearing for LGBTQ+ couples. A statement was published expressing complete disagreement with him, it is emphasized that “This is an obscene attack on human nature.”
The meeting took place in the presence of 40 saints and representatives of the Holy Monasteries of Mount Athos. The corresponding statement clearly expresses opposition to the bill as it states: “This is a great crime. This is a great crime, this is an insult to human nature, because, in essence, it stops normal development and unknowingly destroys man.” It also says: “If a newborn turns his gaze to his mother and wants to kiss her breast, and someone else appears in her place, it is confusing, it is deforming, it is disgraceful.”
The Greeks ignored this law – “when there is nothing to live for, people are of little interest in LGBTQ+ issues”
Residents of Greece in general were neutral about the law on the legalization of same-sex marriage and a little more wary of the adoption of children by same-sex couples. Now, with the “advent of an era of prosperity and well-being,” as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis assures the people, the standard of living of the population has fallen sharply, which means that issues of survival, and not “some” ones, come to the fore. same-sex marriage And adoption of children by LGBTQ+ couples.
Next rising food prices, which became known on February 10, the continuing rise in prices for rental residential real estate are the main issues that interest residents of Greece. Promised increasing the minimum wage in the spring, probably won’t even partially cover inflation rate.
In fact, from the awkward situation caused by his inadequate reaction, he will be rescued by members of the New Democracy party, as well as PASOK and SYRIZA, who intend to vote for this bill. Simply put, the names of those who voted will be “posted” in churches, they will be declared undesirable and… it will all end there. No one will worry that the church is, in fact, rather lax about what is about to happen.
Many Greek priests from the canonical Orthodox Church were more radical in their statementsdespite the reluctance of the church leadership to protest against the bill
“Huge amounts of money are spent on LGBT advocacy. Last year alone, the US government spent $4 billion promoting LGBTI people around the world.”
The meeting took place in the presence of 40 saints and representatives of the Holy Monasteries of Mount Athos. The corresponding statement clearly expresses opposition to the bill as it states: “This is a great crime. This is a great crime, this is an insult to human nature, because, in essence, it stops normal development and unknowingly destroys man.” It also says: “If a newborn turns his gaze to his mother and wants to kiss her breast, and someone else appears in her place, it is confusing, it is deforming, it is disgraceful.”
The Greeks ignored this law – “when there is nothing to live for, people are of little interest in LGBTQ+ issues”
Residents of Greece in general were neutral about the law on the legalization of same-sex marriage and a little more wary of the adoption of children by same-sex couples. Now, with the “advent of an era of prosperity and well-being,” as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis assures the people, the standard of living of the population has fallen sharply, which means that issues of survival, and not “some” ones, come to the fore. same-sex marriage And adoption of children by LGBTQ+ couples.
Next rising food prices, which became known on February 10, the continuing rise in prices for rental residential real estate are the main issues that interest residents of Greece. Promised increasing the minimum wage in the spring, probably won’t even partially cover inflation rate.
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