Media: Clergy of Phanar US Archdiocese have the highest salary in the world

Media: Clergy of Phanar Archdiocese in US have the highest salary in the world

Media: Clergy of Phanar Archdiocese in US have the highest salary in the world

The priests of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in the United States are the highest salaried clergy of all the Orthodox Churches in the world. This is reported by the National Herald of the Greek Diaspora in the United States.

The material says that a newly ordained priest receives $ 56-76 thousand a year, and those who have 16-20 years of service – about $100 thousand. Moreover, the income which the priests receive for their ministry is not included in the salary. Parishes also provide priests with cars, health insurance and housing.

The authors of the National Herald emphasize that the priests of the American Archdiocese receive many times more than those of other Orthodox Churches in the United States.

The outlet reports that the disclosure of the financial capabilities of the archdiocese is due to several reasons. Its head, Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis), thus wants to convince the parishioners and clergy, as well as critics, that the actions to bring the archdiocese out of the financial crisis are successful. At the same time, he hopes that the image of the wealthy American Archdiocese will raise its authority in the eyes of the clerics of other Churches and therefore, convince them to join the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The financial well-being of the Greek clergy in the United States also has disadvantages. Often, it is not educated or talented priests who are highly paid, but those who have connections in the diocese. Therefore, the salary of newly appointed clergy is often one of the highest in the diocese, and a priest who has dozens of years of service is 50 thousand dollars a year. In the Greek Church in America, it is also common to “thank” the bishop for coming and serving in the parish. The size of such donations ranges from $ 500 to $ 1000 and more, the National Herald notes.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America belongs to the Patriarchate of Constantinople and was established by the decree of the Ecumenical Patriarch Meletius IV in 1922. The American Archdiocese is led by an archbishop who is elected by the Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Archbishop Elpidophoros thanked the State Department for supporting Phanar.

Read also

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom

Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."

Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot

The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.

Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution

International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.

Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children

“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.

His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv

At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.

Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects

According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.