"The state may legislate, but this parameter does not deprive the church of freedom of expression, nor does it exempt it from the duty to inform the people. If it remains silent, it bears a heavy responsibility", indicated the Holy Synod at the end of an extraordinary meeting that lasted over five hours.

"Our Holy Church completely opposes the proposed bill", it added in a statement.

Metropolitans of the Orthodox Church of Greece also decided to send letters expressing their position to the 300 parliamentarians, to address the faithful in all churches in Greece on February 4 and inform them through pamphlets about their opposition to the bill set to be adopted in the coming days in the Council of Ministers, as reported by AFP, cited by Agerpres.

According to them, the bill will promote the "abolition of fatherhood and motherhood" and the "disappearance of gender roles within the family".

"This legislative initiative condemns future children to grow up without a father or mother in an environment of confusion about parental roles", they added.

Recently, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that the bill should be examined in parliament by mid-February, despite the opposition from the Church, which wields significant influence over society and a portion of the conservative camp from which it originates.

"We will listen to the opinions of the Church, but the state legislates, it does not co-legislate with the Church", Mitsotakis insisted during the presentation of his project.

Greeks appear to remain divided on this issue, with two recent polls showing 49% opposed to same-sex marriage and 52% in favor.