The relations between the Ministry of Education and Church of Greece have have deteriorated sharply over the changes to the course of religious education in schools.
Specifically, the Ministry wants to change the existing course so that students are taught about a variety of religions, rather than acting as a Sunday school. The Union of Theologists issued a response criticism the reform, claiming that this change will undermine education, society and the relations between the Church and State. Education Minister Nikos Filis has questioned the Church’s role and allegience during the Nazi Occupation and dictatorship.
The Minister of Education Nikos Filis responded in an interview on Kontra Channel arguing that the Church has contributed to the moral decline of society. Mr. Filis was also highly critical of the Church’s stance and allegience during some of the most critical periods in the modern Greek history, such as the Nazi Occupation during WWII and the junta dictatorship of 1967.
In response Archbishop Ieronymos sent the President of Parliament a book on the Church’s role in Greece during the Occupation and dictatorship and called him to inform the members of Parliament on the issue.

The Union of Theologists asks for Mr Filis to resign, noting , that the new program for the course of Theology at schools, is “inappropriate , dangerous, and will not bring back results but will damage the Education, the society and a ruptured relationship between the Church and the State.”.
Mr Filis on the other hand insists on what he said. “The events have been recorded in the consciousness  of the people and in the history. Let’s not argue about the past. The important thing is to reach a point of understanding, in order to take the country out of this crisis, improve Education and reform the course of Theology, while dealing with the contemporary social and pedagogical challenges”.