In a historic move, the Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St. Dionysius the Areopagite in central Athens, has become the first church in Greece to introduce a POS (point-of-sale) terminal for donations and purchases.
The POS was placed inside the customary collection box on the request of churchgoers.
Located on the corner of Panepistimiou and Omirou streets, the Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St. Dionysius the Areopagite has long been a landmark for locals and a spiritual haven for international visitors. Dedicated to the patron saint of Athens, the cathedral hosted Pope Francis during his 2021 visit to Greece.
Churchgoers will now be able to make donations or purchase candles by card as is common practice in many churches abroad.
The Catholic Cathedral of St. Dionysius the Areopagite in Athens. Photo: Kostas Tzoumas / Eurokinissi
Speaking to Mega channel, Father Georgios Dagas, the parish priest of the Catholic Cathedral of St. Dionysius Areopagite, said tourists visiting the church would repeatedly ask if it was possible to make transactions by card.
“We are in the heart of Athens with very many Catholic tourists,” he said, adding that card transactions at churches abroad has been common practice for decades. “When they come to Greece, these people prefer to use their card for their transactions and not cash; even when they want to light a candle or make a small donation,” Father Dagas explained.
He emphasized that even small contributions, such as 10 or 20 cents, mattered and that the church’s decision was guided by the convenience of the faithful.
The card terminal accepts donations of up to 1,000 euros, a limit set by the Greek Finance Ministry. The move marks a pioneering step that may inspire other churches and places of worship across Greece to modernize their donation practices and keep up with the changing times.
