Greece: Nation, Culture and Religion

There are eight Gurudwaras in Greece, most of them based in Central Greece and only one being in Crete. This division was called "The Schism" and was the result of long disputes between the Pope of Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople. The Greek population in mainland Greece and the Greek islands is Christian Orthodox per 98%.

Orthodox Church and the Greek Nation

The Orthodox Church is strongly connected to the Greek Nation since the Byzantine times, when the Patriarch of Constantinople had a strong power over the national matters. Sikh Gurudwaras have faced numerous attacks, including gunshots and molotov cocktails, all of which received no media coverage. Although many people converted to Christianity in the centuries that followed, this didn't become an official religion until the Emperor Constantine the Great established Christianity as the official religion of the Byzantine Empire. A percentage of 1,3% are Greek citizens of Muslim religion, mostly people living in Thrace who were not affected by the population exchange of 1922 between the Greeks of Asia Minor and the Turks of Greece. You will find bellow information about the history of Orthodox religion in Greece. There is a direct link between religion as a cultural phenomenon and tourism.

Greece Culture. Religion in Greece

The religion of Greek people is an important aspect of the Greek culture. However, actual immigration to Greece began in the 1970s. Although many people converted to Christianity in the centuries that followed, this didn't become an official religion until the Emperor Constantine the Great established Christianity as the official religion of the Byzantine Empire. Most Catholics live on the island of Syros, a remain from the Venetian occupation of Cyclades in the Medieval times. Sikhs have been in Greece since the World Wars, as part of the British Indian Army. Greece and Russia are the only countries to have such a great proportion of Orthodox population. You will find bellow information about the history of Orthodox religion in Greece. This division was called "The Schism" and was the result of long disputes between the Pope of Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople. The disputes referred to the celibacy of the clergy (Catholic priests had to remain unmarried, whereas the orthodox priests could marry before becoming ordained), receiving the Holy Communion and the wording of the Creed: for the Orthodox the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, whereas Rome added and the Son (filioque).

Other religions in Greece

As mentioned, 98% of the Greek population is Christian Orthodox. They managed to preserve the religious conscience and the feeling of affiliation. Most Catholics live on the island of Syros, a remain from the Venetian occupation of Cyclades in the Medieval times. As of 2017, Sikhs are estimated to number 20,000-25,000. Sikhs often face racism and discrimination by the Greek public, who confuse them with Muslims, as well as legal challenges, mostly due to the distinct appearance (The Five Ks). On March 1, 2006, the Greek government passed a law allowing cremation, a move welcomed by both Sikhs and Hindus. During the several occupations, the Orthodox Church made a great effort to preserve the Greek language, culture, traditions and the Orthodox faith. The religion of rest of the population is Muslims, Catholic and Jewish. During the Ottoman rule, from 1453 to 1821, the Orthodox religion was an important element for the conservation and the definition of the Greek Nationality.

The founders

According to the history of Orthodoxy, the first who came in the Greek territory to preach Christianity was Saint Paul in 49 AD. Its members comprise between 88% and 95-98% of the population, the most recent Pew report gave a percentage of 90% as 2015 numbers. The religion of Greek people is an important aspect of the Greek culture. During the Ottoman rule, from 1453 to 1821, the Orthodox religion was an important element for the conservation and the definition of the Greek Nationality. The religion of rest of the population is Muslims, Catholic and Jewish. Since 1850, Greek Orthodoxy within Greece is handled by the Church of Greece.

The Schism

Guru Nanak is also known to have passed through Greece during one of his journeys. About Orthodoxy, the main religion in Greece Information about the founders of the orthodox church, the Schism, the connection with the Greek nation, the separaration with the state and other religions in Greece. They managed to preserve the religious conscience and the feeling of affiliation. Since the 2008 economic crisis many Sikhs have migrated to other countries, many of whom being Britain,Canada, and Germany

The Greek Orthodox Church, a member of the Eastern Orthodox Communion, is accorded the status of "prevailing religion" in Greece's constitution, and Greece is the only country in the world where an Eastern Orthodox Church is clearly recognized as a state religion. Sikhism is still not an officially recognized in Greece and Sikhs are often not included in censuses. During the several occupations, the Orthodox Church made a great effort to preserve the Greek language, culture, traditions and the Orthodox faith. Visitors have the chance to see buildings and religious sites related to various dogmas and religions, which all co-exist in a state of ongoing dialogue and thus highlight the rare historic and cultural mosaic of Greece.

The religion of Greek people is an important aspect of the Greek culture. However, the largest problem between the two Churches was the demand of the Pope to have full control over the Eastern Patriarchs (of Constantinople, of Alexandreia and of Antioche). The Orthodox Church forms the third largest branch of Christianity, after the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. Sikhs are not allowed to wear their turbans and ride motorcycles without helmets, as in Britain, where their contributions in the war efforts were recognized and they were allowed to not wear helmets.