The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church on Wednesday spoke out against a law allowing unmarried couples to have their partnership legally recognized, claiming that such civil unions “undermined” the family and posed risks for Greek society.
Referring to an “incipient cohabitation agreement,” the Synod referred to “deviations from the institution of the family” and expressed regret that the family is no longer regarded as “a small Church.” As the law granting unmarried couples legal rights was passed in 2008, the Synod seemed to be referring to the government’s plans to extend the legislation to same-sex couples.