Mixed marriages in the Greek community have tripled since 1989, reaching a record 62 per cent in 2011, according to data released by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. But the numbers could be even higher when you take into consideration civil services and ceremonies. Greek Australians are leaning toward civil services due to mixed religions and cultures in the partnership.
However, the number of mixed marriages that took place in Greek Orthodox Churches around Australia had increased in the last ten years by 20 per cent. 32 per cent of marriages that took place in Greek Orthodox Church in 1989 were mixed marriages, in 1999 this increased to 42 per cent and a massive jump in 2011 to 62 per cent.
According to the Archdiocese, Greek Australians are choosing to marry people of Italian descent first, followed by Anglo-Saxons and then smaller ethnic groups.
An increase in divorce rates for Greek Australian has also been noted.
600 marriages were celebrated and 96 divorces were issued in 2011, in Melbourne alone, according to data from the Archdiocese.
However, the church believes the rate may be higher, taking into account the Archdiocese only issue divorce certificates for Greek Australians wishing to remarry in the church.
The state secretary of the Holy Archdiocese in Melbourne, Mr Dimitrios Batzios said that it is “a sign of the times”.
The number of those who decide to be joined with matrimony within the Greek community tends to decrease, with the number of marriages almost double decrease in last decade.
“In 1999, 1,100 marriages were conducted. In 2010, the number has decreased to 700, and in 2011 – to 600 marriages,” Mr Batzios said.
“It is evident that the number of marriages has dropped significantly, inversely proportional to the mixed marriages that’s increasing in rates,” Mr Batzios said.