The stance of the GOC with regard to migrants and refugees in Greece during the period 2011-2021

Abstract

The present qualitative study examines the stance of the Greek Orthodox Church (GOC) with regard to migrants and refugees in Greece during the period 2011-2021. During this time, mass numbers of these populations arrived at the country’s borders, testing and indeed stretching Greece’s, leading NGOs’ and Europe’s entire readiness for the distribution of humanitarian aid as well as international protection to all beneficiaries. From what was concluded through a number of individually conducted one-to-one interviews with GOC clerics, is that the preached philanthropy that the GOC is open to migrants and refugees’ diversity is primarily theoretical and not practical and tangible, as the participated GOC clergy wish for themselves- and by extension all Greeks in general- to remain intact and “pure'' religious-, language- and culture-wise. Nonetheless, this non-altruistic stance remains a latent reality, as the GOC protects its public standing and image for fear of losing its near state-like power and its numerous loyals-benefactors.