Religion in Greece
Type of Religion:
The official religion of Greece is Greek Orthodox.
Major Beliefs and Behaviors of the Greek Orthodox Church:
Their basic beliefs are that their Lord and Savior is Jesus Christ. Their faith is based on the teachings of both the New and Old Testaments.They believe that God exist and is in three supreme forms. Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. They believe in saints and demons.
The essentials of the Orthodox Church and its members can be divided into four main correlated parts:
The essentials of the Orthodox Church and its members can be divided into four main correlated parts:
- Principles of belief and faith;
- The worship of God, in Whom lies belief and hope for salvation;
- The living of life so as to serve one's neighbor and especially the "least of them" as well as oneself; and
- The enforcing of a system of order of discipline and administration for the members of this Church.
How it impacts other elements of culture:
Much emphasis has been placed on pleasing the Gods in order to live a life free of oppression and hardship in the Greeks past. Like all Pagans, the Greeks believed that they had to worship and please the Gods in order to have good fortune. The Greeks participated in a number of rituals, rites, ceremonies and sacrifices in order to impress and placate the Gods. Temples, shrines and statues were erected as a designated place to offer sacrifices to the Gods. In modern times religion affects customs and traditions. Traditions are held on religious holidays that are celebrated by the Greek Orthodox church.