About the People

Greeks are 97 percent Greek Orthodox in religion. During Ottoman domination, the Greek Orthodox church preserved the Greek language and cultural identity, and though religious freedom is officially guaranteed, Greeks cling tenaciously to their traditions and history. At the same time, they are sophisticated Europeans who are, in general, quite secular. Suspicious about American religions, they do not respond to direct evangelism but rather approaches based on close personal relationships.

About the Project

Greece, roughly the size of Alabama, sits on the southern end of the Balkan peninsula and borders Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey, and the Aegean and Ionian seas. Africa, Asia and Europe meet near those borders where democracy, western philosophy and the Olympic Games have their birthplace. Nearly 2,000 islands surround the mountainous mainland, and the country has become a popular tourist destination. Greece enjoys a high standard of living and is a member of the European Union.

People-Group Facts

• Population: 11,304,000
• Language: Greek
• Religion: 97% Greek Orthodox