Helliniki Evangeliki Ekklesia
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The Greek Evangelical Church (Greek language, Greek: Ελληνική Ευαγγελική Εκκλησία, ''Elliniki Evangeliki Ekklisia'') is a Presbyterian denomination in Greece. It was the first Protestantism, Protestant church established in the country.


History

Greek Evangelical Church dates back to 1858 when the first Greek Evangelical, Michail Kalapothakis started publishing the magazine ''Astir tis Anatolis'' (Star of the East) which is still published today. He gathered a group of followers thus forming the first Greek Evangelical community and organized Sunday School for children as well as issuing the ''Efimeris ton Paidon'' (Newspaper of the Children) in 1868. The first Greek Evangelical Church was built in 1871 in the center of Athens, which was demolished and rebuilt in 1956 due to the increasing number of followers. Greek Evangelicalism spread also through the Greeks in the Ottoman Empire, the first Greek Evangelical community in Asia Minor was founded in 1867. Today there are 30 Greek Evangelical Churches in Greece, 3 in Cyprus and 5 in the Greek diaspora.


Theology

The Greek Evangelical Church is theologically Calvinism, Calvinist. Core beliefs are typical of most traditional Protestant denominations: they consider the Bible the highest and only binding authority on matters of doctrine and practice (''sola scriptura'') and recognize two sacraments (baptism and holy communion). Their Confession of Faith closely follows the Puritanism, Puritan Westminster Confession and consists of 28 articles.


Affiliations

The Greek Evangelical Church is affiliated with the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the World Council of Churches.


See also

*Protestantism in Greece *Religion in Greece


References


External links


Greek Evangelical ChurchGreek Evangelical Church of Los AngelesGreek Evangelical Church of New YorkGreek Evangelical Church of BostonGreek Gospel Church of TorontoGreek Evangelicals in Australia
{{Authority control Members of the World Council of Churches Religious organizations established in 1858 Members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches Evangelical denominations established in the 19th century Reformed denominations in Europe Presbyterian denominations in Europe Protestantism in Greece 1858 establishments in Greece