In an unprecedented decision, the Single-Member Court of First Instance of Syros has ruled that church bells on the Greek island of Milos are not permitted to ring during designated quiet hours, even for religious purposes. This landmark decision comes with a penalty, imposing a fine for each infraction.
The case was brought to court by a resident of Milos who lives adjacent to a parish church. The resident claimed that the noise from the bell tower had severely impacted her mental health, leading to what she argued was an illegal infringement on her personal well-being. The court heard evidence showing that the church had automated its bells to ring not only for services but also to mark the hours and half-hours, exceeding acceptable noise levels.
The plaintiff backed her claims with medical documentation demonstrating that the noise aggravated her health condition, affecting her ability to meet her professional responsibilities.
In its ruling, the court acknowledged the negative impact of the bell's use as a timekeeping device, stating it did not serve any essential purpose beyond its religious function, which the plaintiff did not contest. The court prohibited the use of the bells as a clock during quiet hours but allowed their use for religious ceremonies, protected under constitutional law, with exceptions for major feast days.
Each violation will incur a 200-euro fine payable by the church. The court has exempted several major religious holidays from this ban, allowing bells to ring freely during celebrations such as Christmas, Easter, and other significant feasts.
This decision has sparked discussion on the balance between respecting religious traditions and addressing modern-day concerns about noise pollution and public health.
