Pray for Greece

Greece was one of the most influential ancient civilizations. Sophisticated science, medicine, philosophy, drama, and the arts flourished. Ruins like the Parthenon are reminiscent of the achievements of that golden age. Strategically located near Asia and surrounded by three major seas, Greece has had a significant sea trade history and holds one of the world’s largest merchant fleets today. Greece also has a large refugee population and is a key entry point for refugees coming into Europe. From 2015–2016, over one million people fled war and persecution in Africa and Asia, landing on Greece’s shores in search of peace. While many intended to use Greece merely as a transit point to Western Europe, tighter borders and EU policies have turned the country into a long-term host for hundreds of thousands of refugees and asylum seekers.

But Greece is also facing a demographic crisis. About a quarter of the population is over the age of 65, and the fertility rate is far below the 2.1 rate needed to sustain population size. Many young people are delaying starting families until they feel more financially stable, especially considering the nation’s increasing housing prices. Alcohol, cannabis, tobacco use, and vaping are rising among the nation’s youth, with over half of adolescents having used e-cigarettes. The large number of refugees often face difficulties once arriving in Greece. Migrants face significant difficulty accessing adequate housing, healthcare, and education, and many spend prolonged periods in overcrowded reception camps and centers. Around half of refugees in Greece are unemployed, and many struggle to find stable work because of language barriers, documentation issues, and limited employment opportunities.

The Greek Church has existed for centuries. In the Book of Acts, the Apostle Paul brought the Gospel to Macedonia, located in present-day Greece, which was the first part of Europe to hear the Gospel. Today, over 90 percent of the population identifies as Christian, but the Church needs spiritual revival and biblical teaching. Less than 20 percent of the population attends church regularly, and less than 1 percent of the population is Evangelical. The Greek Orthodox Church is a significant part of the nation’s cultural identity and even receives state funding. Protestants and Catholics often face social resistance if they attempt to evangelize.