Piraeus, Greece, November 27, 2019
The administrative building of the Metropolis of Piraeus of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greece was attacked yesterday, reports Romfea.
The ruling hierarch, Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus, is known as a traditional and outspoken hierarch. Most recently he has taken a strong stand against the recognition of the Ukrainian schismatics, calling, instead, together with Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira, for a pan-Orthodox council to address the issue.
The incident occurred early in the morning, with unknown attackers throwing rocks and bottles at the building.
Photo: romfea.gr The glass protecting the icon of Christ that adorns the façade of the building was damaged in the attack, as well as the surrounding area.
Commenting on the incident, Met. Seraphim said: “I regret the behavior of some of our brethren who thus encroach upon our holy faith. I pray for their repentance and salvation.”
The Piraeus chief of police arrived at the scene and an investigation is underway.
A member of the Greek Parliament, Christophoros Boutsikakis, representing Piraeus, addressed a letter yesterday to the Minister of Citizen Protection, calling for His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim to be provided protection.
He notes in his letter that Met. Seraphim was informed already in 2016 by security services that he was being targeted by foreign Islamic centers. Starting in 2017, a police officer was deployed for his safety, although the government recalled the police officer after Met. Seraphim criticized the agreement on Church-state relations between former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens.
However, following yesterday’s attack, Boutsikakis is calling for Met. Seraphim’s protection, noting that such a man, who publicly stands up to those who oppose the Church and protects the honor of the Greek homeland should be expected to be the target of suck attacks.
