Greek hierarch opposes introduction of new digital passports

Metropolitan Nektarios of Kerkyra. Photo: orthodoxianewsagency

On June 19, 2025, Metropolitan Nektarios of Kerkyra of the Greek Church sent a letter to the Permanent Holy Synod (PHS) of the Church of Greece demanding a convocation of the Hierarchy to discuss the introduction of a new Personal Citizen Number (PCN) in Greece.

In his message, the bishop expresses "deep sorrow and categorical disagreement" with the conclusion of the church body that the new system causes no concern.

According to the metropolitan, this conclusion "raises very serious dogmatic, theological, canonical and ecclesiological issues, which affect the core of the Orthodox faith and Christian anthropology".

The Personal Citizen Number was established by law 4727/2020 as a unique identification number for every individual born in Greece or who has acquired Greek citizenship.

It is supposed to gradually replace the identity card number, tax number, and social security number, combining all citizen information into one unique number.

Metropolitan Nektarios believes that the conclusion of the Permanent Holy Synod is "characterized by a profound theological failure and a superficial approach", as it does not consider the broader spiritual dimension of the PCN: "the possibility of universal control, depersonalization, the alteration of human dignity and the undermining of freedom of conscience."

"The threat lies in the invisible slavery that complete transparency and recording of human life can bring. The Church must protect the spiritual integrity of its believers and not be limited to a legalistic or superficial reading of the dangers," the bishop emphasizes.

Metropolitan Nektarios pays special attention to the canonical violations committed by the Permanent Holy Synod in making a conclusion on such an important issue.

In his opinion, the PHS as an executive body does not have the authority to make decisions on dogmatic, canonical, liturgical, or social issues affecting the entire Church body.

"The decision of the Permanent Holy Synod to issue an opinion on the PA constitutes a canonical excess, an institutional deviation and an ecclesiological deviation, as it attempts to resolve a major issue without the required synodal completeness and the approval of the body of the Hierarchy, bypassing the collective voice of the Holy Spirit expressed through the body of the Bishops of the Hierarchy," states Metropolitan Nektarios.

The bishop recalls the negative experience of the COVID-19 pandemic period when the PHS decisions to close churches and cease communion led to legal proceedings. The bishop himself was involved in a lawsuit due to the PHS circular letter on closing churches.

"This is an irrefutable warning that bypassing normal procedures and concentrating power in a single body, regardless of intentions, can lead to legal consequences and, most importantly, undermine the prestige, unity and spiritual credibility of the Church towards the faithful people," notes the bishop.

The objections of the metropolitan are based on the Orthodox teaching about man as "the image of God in man". "Every human being is a unique person, bearing within him the indelible seal of divine creation and endowed with free will and freedom, the highest gift of God," the bishop emphasizes.

According to the hierarch, the Personal Number as a single, universal, and mandatory identification code that will link all aspects of a citizen's life raises justified concerns about a total "electronic filing" and complete surveillance.

Metropolitan Nektarios insists on the immediate convening of the Holy Synod of the Hierarchy to consider the PCN issue. "Only the Holy Synod of the Hierarchy can take a responsible and reasoned stance, which will reflect the collective theological thought, spiritual discernment and pastoral care of the entire Hierarchy, as the true body of Christ," concludes the bishop.

The metropolitan warns that the silence of the Hierarchy on such a crucial  issue will mean "an abandonment of pastoral responsibility and spiritual indifference to the fears and concerns of the faithful".

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Metropolitan Nektarios of Kerkyra supported UOC believers in Cherkasy.

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