Archbishop of Greece Ieronymos unleashed a scathing attack against the government and the political world during a speech in Livadia, central Greece, on Monday evening.

The attack came in the aftermath of a radio interview by Education Minister Nikos Filis who said that the Greek government wants the separation between Church and State.

The education minister and the Archbishop have an ongoing argument over the proposed changes in religion courses in Greek schools. Filis has stated that despite the fact that the ministry was in consultation with the Church of Greece on the issue, the final decision on education matters belongs to the State and his ministry.

Greece is the only nation in Europe where the church has an inseparable relationship with the state, with orthodoxy being the dominant religion of the country as set out in the constitution.

Thousands of clerics in Greece are considered "public servants" and get paid by the state while the church, despite being the wealthiest entity in Greece, is not subject to any form of taxation.

During his speech, Ieronymos challenged the government to not mess with Greece’s religion. "You may have sold out Greece’s treasures, our trains, our ports, but we will not hand over to you our homeland and our Orthodox faith," he said.