LAST UPDATE: 14:28
Its strong opposition to the proposed abolition of the articles referring to malicious blasphemy, Religious offense and the insult of the dead, is expressed by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Church of Crete.
The Church of Crete, stated in a related announcement, which was the subject of the recently submitted draft of a new Penal Code, that considers it necessary, “in the face of our modern and changing times, not to alter ourselves, to maintain our identity unaltered, to protect religious peace and to remove in any way intolerance, religious violence and fanatism, given that Article 199, titled “Religious offense,” refers to every religion that exists and operates legally in Greece.
The proposed abolition of the above articles (198,199,201) will introduce adverse changes with a clear impact on the social life and the relations of the people, the Church of Crete points out in its communication.
It also emphasizes that the Theology and the Tradition of our Holy Church, as well as the long history of Greece, always surrounds the dead human body with particular honour and respect. “This is the Tradition of Greeks since the ancient times, when honouring the dead was a sacred obligation and ceased even wars and hostilities.”
With a sense of responsibility, the Church of Crete speaks to the competent state institutions, to every faithful member of the Orthodox Church, stressing the necessity, especially in these times, for all of us to preserve in every possible way the social and religious peace and to contribute to the cohesion and unity of our society.
“We have a responsibility, in times when the elements of our Culture and Identity are easily and uncritically deconstructed, to preserve our faith in the Trinitarian God and our Holy Church, to protect the values of our people over time and to ensure, in every lawful way, the holy of holies of our Fathers, our race and Hellenism.”