The encyclical “On the protection of human life and the prevention of abortion” will be read in churches on the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin on September 8, according to a press release from the Holy Synod.

The Permanent Holy Synod of the Church of Greece met under the chairmanship of Archbishop Jerome on August 24 and 25.

In its message, the Holy Synod emphasizes that it was decided to “send the following circulars to the Christ-named Brigade of the Greek Church”:

• “On the protection of human life and the prevention of abortion, for reading in the Holy Temples on the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin (8-9-2022)”.
• “On the celebration of one hundred years since the Catastrophe of Asia Minor, for reading in holy churches on Sunday, September 11, 2022, when the memory of the holy New Martyrs of Asia Minor (Chrysostom of Smyrna and others) is celebrated.”

In its report, the Holy Synod on the action of the so-called “Church of All Nations” in Thessaloniki and the alleged “exorcisms” notes that “it is an autonomous neo-Pentecostal organization that performs ceremonies in the central parts of large cities to impress and attract people.” The Holy Synod draws the attention of the members of the Orthodox Church to avoid any participation in its ceremonies.

Also, according to the published communiqué, the Holy Synod extended the term of office of Metropolitan Nicholas of Mesogeia and Lavreosis as chairman of the Synodal Commission on Bioethics and approved his proposal to appoint its other members.