4 MAY 1956, Page 34

The Church in Greece

GREEK archbishops from time to time hit the headlines in our newspapers—because of their political, not their ecclesiastical, activities, The constitution and condition of the Greek Church, although it is on this side of the iron curtain, are practically unknown in the Western world. If Englishmen made its acquaintance, they would find that by Western standards it is altogether as strange as the attire of its clergy. Mr. Hammond had the good fortune to spend two years in Greece, and was given generous opportunities of exploring every aspect of the Church's life. The Waters of Mara', : The Present State of the Greek Church, by Peter Hammond (Rockcliff, 21s.), is not a systematic treatise on its history or doctrine or policy, but a contemporary report, basdd on his own experiences, into which he has worked just so much background informa- tion as is needed to make a revealing picture. What emerges is that after a long period of severe ordeals and static tenacity the Church in Greece is now in a condition of ferment, and there are the beginnings of a striking revival in which laymen and intellectuals are playing a leading part.

ALEC VIDLER