AVRIANI Sunday, Lift the Abaton

Lift the Abaton
To Panagiotis Mavrikos.	19. 08. 2001

Anna Karamanou calls for the Church to modernize and accept the removal of religious affiliation from identity cards, as well as the lifting of the Abaton of Mount Athos for women. The PASOK MEP, in an interview she gave to “K.A.,” revisits the pressing ecclesiastical issues that have led to a head-on confrontation between the government and the Church.

There are many examples of clergy who “intervene” in the daily problems of citizens?

It is very good for a cleric to participate and do social work. I wish the clergy would connect with social work. In the past, we used to say that this was done in an intense way by the Catholic and other Christian churches, but it was a neglected area by the Orthodox Church.

Do you disagree with the Church’s involvement in politics, as you have stated?

I have always been in favor of a complete separation of Church and State. Each has its own domain. One is the realm of politics, and the other is that of the Church. However, I would say that at this time, the relations between the Church and State are good. I see that there is good cooperation, the roles are distinct, and each is trying to do their best in their respective area.

However, the issue of identity cards has not been resolved.

It seems to have stalled. There was a significant difference between politics and the Church, and I believe the whole issue will be settled.

In what direction will it be resolved?

Certainly with the predominance of the state’s viewpoint. Religion cannot be listed on identity cards. This is contrary to any notion of respect for human rights regarding privacy. Religious sentiment is part of the private lives of citizens and cannot be reflected on identity cards.

However, your initiative to not expel Albanians from Mytilene also caused a sensation.

I believe that the scenes we witnessed were horrific, against both the guilty and the innocent, and I requested the intervention of the prosecutor because a village cannot take the law into its own hands.

I believe that the scenes we witnessed are characterized by extreme racist hatred.

However, the President of the Republic referred to the necessity of respecting hospitality by the guests.

Of course, guests should respect hospitality, and those who do not should be punished. In this specific case, the court imposed a 37-month prison sentence on the guilty Albanian. But why did the innocent ones have to be expelled from the village?

I am ashamed of these acts—apartheid—that took place in Loutra of Mytilene… I would say in the baths of shame.

However, another initiative of yours regarding the ban on women at Mount Athos has stalled. Has your party perhaps forbidden you to continue with this matter?

No one has told me to stop. The issue of the ban on women at Mount Athos is not a matter for the European authorities; it is a matter for the Church and the community of Mount Athos itself, which, in light of new developments and the recognition of women’s rights, should reconsider the decision to exclude women from Mount Athos. This decision was made in the Middle Ages, when women did not enjoy any rights. At that time, women had no access not only to Mount Athos but also to education, arts, or sciences—nowhere. Therefore, the decision to exclude women from Mount Athos was related to the social conditions of that time. This decision has nothing to do with doctrine or theology. From this perspective, I believe it should be reconsidered.

And who will make the decision?

They themselves must make the decision and understand that the Church also needs to modernize. I believe it is very good that such a dialogue has opened; ten years ago, something like this could not happen because it was a taboo subject. We see that today even taboo issues are being brought into public discourse, and this is positive.

Will you insist on the issue of the Athos monastic state?

Many share my opinion. No reasonable person can say that this demand is unreasonable. It is unacceptable to have discrimination based on gender.

Many of your comrades, however, have accused you of the voices you have “raised” on labor and ecclesiastical issues. In fact, they consider you primarily responsible for the damage that the government has suffered. .

I do not share these views because societies move forward when some dare to address the wrongdoings.