Nearly all Greeks are Christians belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church. Throughout the whole country, about 97% of Greeks are Orthodox, but in Athens it is slightly lower because many immigrants and foreigners of different faiths live there. Athens is home to small groups of other Christians (Roman Catholics and Protestants), as well as Muslims and Jews.
In the east, the Orthodox Church was based in Constantinople. The Greek section of the Orthodox Church became an important part of Greek culture and helped preserve Greek identity and learning. Today the Orthodox Church influences the lives of Athenians. Almost all marriages take place before a priest, churches are full of regular services and major religious festivals invite enormous crowds of worshippers.
In the east, the Orthodox Church was based in Constantinople. The Greek section of the Orthodox Church became an important part of Greek culture and helped preserve Greek identity and learning. Today the Orthodox Church influences the lives of Athenians. Almost all marriages take place before a priest, churches are full of regular services and major religious festivals invite enormous crowds of worshippers.