Mariage et sacrements

Although civil marriage was instituted by law in 1982, only approximately 10% of marriages are civil. Thus, Greeks prefer to get married in the Orthodox Church. According to the 1999 European Value Survey (European Value Survey, 1999), 89.6% of Greeks respondents want a religious wedding service (European average : 73.6%).

Therefore, participating in a few sacraments, even infrequently, is necessary for a majority of Greeks who, although they do not consider themselves as religious people, practice a sort of diffuse religion based on tradition. It involves not only going to church on special occasions but also personal attachment to icons and specific saints or even the association of religious feasts with customs, practices or specific dishes (ex. Easter lamb).