In 2025, the government paid more than 8 million euros to cover part of the payroll for the clergy on call. This amount has been rising year after year and, according to the newspaper Politis, is expected to exceed €10 million in 2029.
The largest portion is paid to the Central Ecclesiastical Fund of the Holy Synod (€8,565,186). The amount, which was €7.2 million in 2022, increased to €7.6 million in 2023 and to €8.3 million in 2024. By 2025, it reached €8.8 million, and it is budgeted at €9.1 million for 2026. Based on the projections in the approved 2026 state budget, the expenditure will reach €9.3 million in 2027 and €10 million in 2029.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“Because the number of clergy is increasing, general pay raises are also being implemented. These are annual—but I’ll say it again—across-the-board increases that civil servants and the ATA have seen; they’re built into the budget. Because this is the first step on the A5 pay scale.” Chief Accountant
The Maronite Archdiocese received 120,920 euros, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem received 110,843 euros, and the Armenian Church received 40,306 euros.
“The number of clergy is not the same every year. An estimate was made when the legislation was enacted, and it is updated at regular intervals.” Chief Accountant
An amount provided as compensation, based on the Makarios Agreement, following the transfer of thousands of stremmas of church-owned land to the state. The majority—specifically 73%—is located in the occupied areas.
See the report by Nasia Ioannou
