The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece announced on Wednesday that point-of-sale (POS) systems are strictly prohibited in Greek Orthodox churches, clarifying that their use is not aligned with Orthodox tradition or ecclesiastical regulations.
During a recent session chaired by Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, the Synod issued an official statement emphasizing that e-banking and the IRIS online payment system are the only accepted methods for transactions—such as purchasing candles or making donations.
This clarification follows recent media attention after a POS terminal directly connected to a cash register was installed at the Catholic Church of Agios Dionysios the Areopagite in Kolonaki, central Athens. The decision reportedly came after tourists requested contactless payment options due to not carrying cash. According to media reports, the POS terminal installed can accept micro-transactions as low as €0.01, with a maximum limit of €1,000.
While this move sparked speculation about similar practices spreading to Orthodox churches, the Holy Synod has drawn a clear line. It reiterated that the presence of a POS device in any Orthodox church is unauthorized and unrelated to the practices of the Greek Orthodox Church.
“As per the regulation approved on March 11, 2025, and pending publication in the Government Gazette, the installation of POS terminals in Orthodox places of worship is expressly forbidden,” the Synod’s statement read. “Only internet banking and the IRIS payment system may be used for church-related transactions, such as donations or expenses, by recognized ecclesiastical entities.”