Speaking exclusively to Proto Thema, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos, sent a message of Greek optimism to the Greek people.  “Whoever doesn’t have hope, has no future,” said the Patriarch just hours before the ceremony that marks the miraculous appearance of the Holy Flame that is then flown to Greece for Easter services.

Thousands of faithful are in Jerusalem for Holy Week to attend the Easter service. Speaking of the Week of Passions, he also refered to Greek suffering at the time of the economic crisis. “The passions are not just those of the Greek nation but of the whole of humanity,” he said, noting that the Greek nation is being tried because it is made up of the people of Jesus Christ and is “a nation of special significance to the Lord.”

“At this point, the nation is being tried harshly and this is due not just to the deficiencies and weaknesses of the people but from the desertion that may possibly come and has influenced us,” he said.

Speaking of the European stand concerning Greece, Patriarch Theophilos noted that the problem of Europeans is that they “removed God from His  position and have set up an Alter of Gold. In other words, they have placed  money as the center of their being and existence, and that is their sin.”

Asked about his views on the Islamic State, Patriarch Theophilos said that he is not afraid, stating that we are living in times when humanity has placed “the Devil in the place of God, darkness in the place of light, and money in the place of Christ’s freedom. Why should we be surprised by what is happening?”He stressed his satisfaction on the stand of the Greek stand concerning the Patriarchate, especially keeping religion on the school curriculum. “We are happy with this development because a person without God is a person without hope,” he said.