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Religious practice

Marriage and the sacraments

Although civil marriage was instituted by law in 1982, only approximately 10% of marriages are civil. Thus, Greeks prefer to get married in the Orthodox Church. According to the 1999 European (...)

Although civil marriage was instituted by law in 1982, only approximately 10% of marriages are civil. Thus, Greeks prefer to get married in the Orthodox Church. According to the 1999 European Value Survey (European Value Survey, 1999), 89.6% of Greeks respondents want a religious wedding service (European average: 73.6%).

Therefore, participating in a few sacraments, even infrequently, is necessary for a majority of Greeks who, although they do not consider themselves as religious people, practice a sort of diffuse religion based on tradition. It involves not only going to church on special occasions but also personal attachment to icons and specific saints or even the association of religious feasts with customs, practices or specific dishes (ex. Easter lamb).

D 19 September 2012    ALina Molokotos

Church attendance

Various polls and surveys have been conducted with regard to the level of church attendance. Despite varying results, all establish Greece as one of the most religious countries in Europe. It (...)

Various polls and surveys have been conducted with regard to the level of church attendance. Despite varying results, all establish Greece as one of the most religious countries in Europe. It should also be mentioned that the most recent surveys indicate the ongoing development of a more secular understanding of the social and political space.

Religious participation is measured on the basis of two major variables: a) Church attendance (How often do you attend religious services?); and b) Frequency of Prayer (How often do you pray outside religious service?). Overall,

  • 18% attend church service at least once a week, while the number of churchgoers ‘once a month’ is high as well (21.2%);
  • 40.8% pray to God every day, 13.1 % more than once a week and 7.7. once a week (the more or less frequent prayers comprise about 60% of the total).

Table 1 Church Attendance

EVS-wave1999-20012008-2010Total
how often attend religious services?
more than once a week 3.3 3.3 3.3
once a week 10.7 17.8 14.7
once a month 19.6 22.4 21.2
only on special holy days/Christmas/Easter days 45.9 42.7 44.1
other specific holy days 7.4 0 3.2
once a year 7.9 4.7 6.1
less often 0.5 2.5 1.7
never, practically never 4.7 6.6 5.8
Total 100 100 100
N= 1131 1497 2628

Table 2 Frequency of Prayer

EVS-wave 1999-2001 2008-2010 Total
how often pray to god outside religious services?
every day 35.3 45 40.8
more than once week 12.5 13.6 13.1
once a week 7.5 7.9 7.7
at least once a month 5.9 4.2 4.9
several times a year 15.4 11.3 13
less often 8.9 6.1 7.3
never 14.6 12 13.1
Total 100 100 100
N= 1092 1468 2560

Source: The data used here is derived from the European Values Study (EVS 1981-2008 Longitudinal Data File).

D 22 September 2016    AKonstantinos Papastathis

Rites

The majority of Greeks experience the religious rites of passage (baptisms, funerals, weddings) within the Church. However, mainly because of the financial crisis, the non-religious marriage is (...)

The majority of Greeks experience the religious rites of passage (baptisms, funerals, weddings) within the Church. However, mainly because of the financial crisis, the non-religious marriage is on the rise. Although cremation is legal since 2006 (law 3448/2006), various obstacles have been put up for preventing the construction of a crematorium.

The blessing of the Church is considered important in relation to birth, marriage and death. 66% believe in the importance of baptism, 85.8% of religious marriage and 90.2% of the religious funeral.

Table 1. Importance of religious service: funeral
EVS 1999-2008

EVS-wave1999-20012008-2010Total
religious service important: death
No 12.8 7.5 9.8
Yes 87.2 92.5 90.2
Total 100 100 100
N= 1107 1482 2589

Table 2. Importance of religious service: marriage
EVS 1999-2008

EVS-wave1999-20012008-2010Total
religious service important: marriage
No 17.1 12.1 14.2
Yes 82.9 87.9 85.8
Total 100 100 100
N= 1116 1482 2589

Table 3. Importance of religious service: baptism
EVS 1999-2008

EVS-wave1999-20012008-2010Total
religious service important: birth
No 33.3 34.4 34
Yes 66.7 65.6 66
Total 100 100 100
N= 1069 1437 2506

Source: The data used here is derived from the European Values Study (EVS 1981-2008 Longitudinal Data File).

D 22 September 2016    AKonstantinos Papastathis

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