July 19, 2012
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| Archbishop Ieronymos ofAthens and All Greece. |
The purpose of his letter is, according to Ieronymos, to improve the Church’s image abroad. He also claims that editors working all over the world have never contacted the Church to be personally and directly informed about the taxation of the churches and monasteries located all over the country.
Archbishop of Athens stresses that taxation exemption was abolished under a 2010 law. Since then, clergymen pay their taxes as every other Greek citizen, continues Ieronymos.
The Greek state has been responsible for the clergy payroll since 1833 while the Greek Orthodox Church has given a major part of its real estate property to several Greek municipalities. According to the letter, their current property is mostly forest areas not appropriate for the construction of any structure.
As for the Church’s revenues, Ieronymos says that they come from few buildings owned by Greek Orthodox Church, some bank shares and donations provided by loyal Christians.
Last but not least, Archbishop Ieronymos reports every single charity institution and organization owned and run by the Church, including orphanages, hospitals, kindergartens and much more.