Orthodox cleric receives threats following Golden Dawn comments

25/10/2012

A Greek orthodox cleric has been receiving threatening phone calls after speaking against the country’s increasingly popular neo-fascist party, according to press reports.

A verger at the Aghios Dimitrios church in West Macedonia has reported that an unknown person recently called and said “we shall burn that commie.”

The church has reportedly received numerous complaints and warnings from what appear to be supporters of Golden Dawn and nationalist activists.

Metropolitan Pavlos of Siatista last week criticized Golden Dawn after members of the Greek far-right party protested against the premiere of Terrence McNally’s Corpus Christi in Athens.

In an interview with Imerisia newspaper on Sunday, the metropolitan described Golden Dawn as “uncivilized,” adding that the party’s acts “have nothing to do with ancient Greek civilization nor the Gospel.”

“We all have to take a clear stand on the Golden Dawn issue… We have to preach the word of God, which has nothing to do with the acts committed by members of Golden Dawn,” the metropolitan said.

Meanwhile, Golden Dawn leader Nikos Michalolioakos sparked fresh controversy over the weekend after giving the Nazi salute during a speech at a Golden Dawn youth rally.

“We may sometimes hail like this, but our hands are clean,” he said while flashing the Nazi salute.

An opinion poll last week ranked Golden Dawn at third place with 14 percent of support.

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