Arsonists target Church of Greece offices in central Athens

ATHENS, Greece – A key Church of Greece office site in central Athens has been attacked by arsonists, who destroyed two cars in the courtyard but caused no damage to the building.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the overnight petrol bomb attack at the seat of the Holy Synod, the Church’s governing body.

But church buildings and property have been the target of vandalism and arson over the past few days by anarchist groups. The attacks follow the police eviction last month of squatters using a disused Church property as a refugee hostel in the northern city of Thessaloniki.

Last weekend, a group of anarchists disrupted a Sunday service at Thessaloniki’s cathedral.

Greece’s left-led government condemned the Athens attack later Monday, promising to protect religious freedoms in the country.