The Orthodoxia News Agency on Monday brought to light details of a draft law being prepared by the Greek education ministry regarding ecclesiastical education in the country.
In a confirmation of an earlier report last April, the draft bill includes a provision to abolish the higher ecclesiastical academies in Thessaloniki and Vella, in the northwest Ioannina prefecture, with the decision aimed to take effect in late 2022. At present, four such post-high school ecclesiastical academies operate in the country.
The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece has expressed its opposition over the plan. Conversely, sources said the matter has been elevated to the prime minister’s office, with the Mitsotakis government seeking to avoid any clash with the Church.
