Metropolitan bishop Fthiotida has banned decorations both in and out of the region’s churches for weddings and baptisms.
The ban, which was declared earlier this month by Bishop Nikolaos, was made on the basis that extravagant decorations for vanity purposes exposed the Church of Greece to negative comments.
“We see illuminated potted plants bedecked with ribbon and tulle, arches of fake flowers, children’s inflatable toys, figures from fairy tales and much more making up the decor of certain ceremonies and this is not only very costly, but is also provocative at such a time of economic constraint and a blatant sign of disrespect,” he said in an address to all the priests under his jurisdiction.
“The above is not a exhortation or a recommendation, it is an order which you are all duty-bound to comply with.”
The ban has since caused a stir among those in the events industry, reports Kathimerini.
In an open letter to the bishop on Facebook, Olvion’s Maria Diamanti, an event planner based in Lamia, said that they had already stopped bringing decorations into the church, limiting their work to the church courtyards due to the crisis. She said a lot of couples were choosing to go for smaller, more intimate parties following the church service.
“The priests always attend these small parties and don’t seem to mind,” said Ms Diamanti, though added that sextons would often be heard complaining, saying things like “People don’t have money for the collection box, but somehow they do for flowers and sweets.”
Among the decorations that have come under fire are balloons decorated with photographs of Byzantine monasteries and life-size decorative horses to name a few.
“We have come to this because of the extravagance of some of our colleagues,” said Maria Hatzopoulou from Caramelino Art in Maroussi.
“One of them is currently in a legal battle with a priest.”
She said that every metropolitan region has its own rules and regulations, so it’s often hard to keep up.
“For example, there are certain sextons who insist that any item that touches the baptismal font must remain in the church forever. I have known them to hold onto towels and linens, but also a flower garland worth €200.”