Dangerous sect performs exorcisms in the city center (Video)
Passers-by in the center of Thessaloniki could not believe their eyes. Video recorded people who claim to belong to a sect called the “Church of the Nations” and perform exorcisms.
“Get out, get out” one of the organizers could be heard shouting in front of a woman during the ceremony. The municipality of Thessaloniki states that no permission was ever given for this particular gathering.
In accordance with voria.gr, behind the statue of Venizelos, on two Sundays, one in July and one in August, the outdoor “church” was set up with chairs and a large screen showing videos of other ceremonies. The event and what took place during the exorcisms were presented on the large canvas that had been set up.
The ceremonies are allegedly performed by the self-proclaimed woman “Church of the Nations”which even intended to carry out four more in September.
The issue with the ceremonies in a public place caused reactions from the residents of the area, who informed the municipality of Thessaloniki. The issue of exorcisms in Aristotelous was brought to the Municipal Council by independent councilor Drosos Tsavlis, while independent councilor Ioanna Spanou also addressed a question to the municipality’s administration.
Mr. Tsavlis called on the municipality to answer whether the specific organization had received a relevant permit. “Who were they, let’s see the request they submitted to the municipality to get a license to use electricity. So which deputy mayor gave the permission, how much did they pay and to whom,” Mr. Tsavlis pointed out. “How did the municipality allow this to happen, when it had received the message from the residents since the first Sunday?”, asked Mrs. Spanou for her part.
No permission was given, replies the municipality of Thessaloniki
No permission was given to the so-called “Church of the Nations”, clarified the deputy mayor of Finance Michalis Kupkas, who is responsible for the issues of concessions of public lands. As Mr. Koupkas explained, the specific “Church” carried out these events, without his knowledge and without having been given permission to grant the public space.
“The request came to my office on August 10. Even today permission has not been given. We are investigating it with the help of the legal service of the municipality of Thessaloniki. As you understand, we will have to see if it is a church that is recognized and if it has all the legalization documents that it must have in order to be granted the common space”, pointed out the deputy mayor. Mr. Kupkas informed both the police authorities of the city and the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs about the matter.
In fact, Mr. Kupkas revealed that the north side of Aristotelous has been requested for four more Sundays in September (4, 11, 18 and 25). “I made it clear to the representative of this Church that such a concession cannot be made as the common space cannot be used as an open-air church, where prayers and rituals will be held,” he stressed.
“I respect religious freedom, the right of every person to believe where he thinks, but without offending good morals, public order, and of course not proselytizing anyone,” clarified Mr. Kupkas.
{https://youtu.be/VA0lHHgCVwY}