09/06/2026
Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki:
“There Is a Difference Between Being a Good Person and Being a Good Christian”
His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki spoke with openness and sincerity about contemporary pastoral ministry, the need for spiritual self-examination, the relationship of young people with the Church, and the responsible stewardship of Church property.
In a wide-ranging and deeply personal interview, the Metropolitan addressed some of the most important challenges facing the Church and society today, offering thoughts rooted in pastoral experience, Christian responsibility, and love for the human person.
Being a Good Person and Being a Good Christian
Asked whether a person can be good without believing in God, Metropolitan Philotheos responded unequivocally:
“Of course he can. There is a difference between being a good person and being a good Christian. This does not mean that the two are mutually exclusive. There are good people who are outside the Church.”
His words remind us that goodness, kindness, and moral integrity can be found in every human being, while the Christian life calls us to something deeper: communion with God and life within the Body of Christ.
Young People and Their Relationship with the Church
Speaking about the questioning and distancing of many young people from the Church, Metropolitan Philotheos emphasized that the Church must also examine herself and those who serve within her.
“The inconsistency between our words and our actions is what is at fault, and for this we bear an enormous responsibility.”
He stressed that the Church must continually seek appropriate and meaningful ways to approach each generation. Her pastoral ministry must respond to the realities and challenges of every age, while remaining faithful to the timeless truth and teaching of the Gospel.
The challenge, therefore, is not to change the message of the Church, but to communicate that message with authenticity, humility, understanding, and genuine love.
The Stewardship of Church Property
The Metropolitan also spoke about the management and responsible utilization of Church property. He noted that the Church’s material resources have their roots in the life of the early Christian community and that they should ultimately serve the needs of people and society.
Regarding the utilization of Church-owned properties—for example, the leasing of a Church property for hotel development—he clarified that the Church does not become a commercial enterprise by making responsible use of her assets.
Rather, such resources can provide the means through which the Church strengthens her charitable, pastoral, and social ministries and assists those who are in need.
The Greatest Challenge Facing Society
When asked about the difficulties confronting contemporary society, Metropolitan Philotheos identified a profound loss of community and solidarity.
“The greatest problem is the lack of willingness to stand beside others. We have a tendency to isolate ourselves and withdraw into ourselves.”
These words point to one of the central spiritual challenges of our time: the temptation to live increasingly individualistic lives, forgetting that human beings are created for relationship, communion, and love.
For the Christian, our neighbor is never a stranger. The Gospel continually calls us to see Christ in the person before us and to bear one another’s burdens.
What Should Remain at the End?
Perhaps the most moving part of the interview came when Metropolitan Philotheos was asked what he would want people to remember about him at the end of his earthly journey.
His answer was striking in its humility:
“A prayer to God, asking Him to show me mercy and compassion.”
These words express the heart of Christian ministry. Beyond accomplishments, titles, responsibilities, and recognition, what ultimately remains is our relationship with God and our need for His mercy.
The Metropolitan’s words offer a valuable reminder to all of us: the measure of our life is not ultimately what we have achieved, but whether we have learned to live in humility, love, repentance, and communion with God and with one another.
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