The Church. In so many parts of the world, it is not the cornerstone of society, but that is the case in Greece. While secular (non-religious) traditions have become more common around the world, Greece remains rooted in its Orthodox Christian beliefs, which can be seen in almost every facet of life among Greek people both in that country and here in the United States.
Priests in black robes with long beards and bellowing voices call their members to worship on Sunday mornings. Children are named in the family tradition with generations of namesakes traced back to saints of the early church. The most important holidays are centered on religion; and icons are visible in every home. Wherever you may be in Greece, there is a good chance the church is there as well.
Greece and Orthodoxy (the religion followed by 98 percent of those who live there) have been closely tied throughout history. During the 400-year-rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was Orthodoxy that helped the Greeks maintain their ethnic and cultural identity. In current times, religion has a huge influence on Greek political and civil decisions, more than in most secular countries. And while there is technically a separation of church and state in Greece, it is not written into their constitution. Both public and private schools begin their day with prayer and require students to study religion as part of their curriculum.
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