A Greek-Catholic bishop has decreed that tourists could no longer be married in Crete and two other islands, in reaction to a growing trade in "wedding with a view" packages offered by travel agents.

"We have taken the decision to bar the weddings to protect the sacrament's holiness... and to prevent its commercialisation," said Bishop Frangiskos, whose diocese includes Syros and Santorini, as well as Crete.  

In the last two years, hundreds of couples from the United States, Britain, Australia and China have tied the knot on Greek islands renowned for scenic beauty and stunning sunsets.  

"They ask for weddings with a nice view or on the beach. When we say it cannot be done, they offer to pay,” the bishop said. "What are we, traders of ceremonies?”

In a recent letter to the pastors of Crete’s three Catholic parishes, the bishop noted that tourist weddings "offer no spiritual benefit" and are often "flippantly" conducted with doubtful documents.

Travel brochures advertise weddings in Iraklion for €250 respectively, and specialised websites offer packages of between €2,000 and €4,000, including witnesses, donkeys to transport the newlyweds and a complimentary bottle of French champagne.

The Greek Orthodox Church has never performed tourist marriages, unless at least one partner is of the orthodox religion, according to Father Dimitri Mihoudi, pastor of Zoothohou Pigi Church in Pano Gouves.

TOP