Orthodox head warns of social explosion

RISING poverty in austerity-stricken Greece could trigger a “social explosion”, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church has warned.

His intervention came as the Athens’ government races to push through more cuts required to close a deal on a debt bailout and avoid default next month.

In a letter to prime minister Lucas Papademos, Archbishop Ieronymos (Jerome II) said: “Homelessness and even hunger have reached nightmare proportions

“Patience among Greeks is running out, giving way to a sense of anger, and the danger of a social explosion cannot be ignored any longer. The medicine we are taking has proved fatal for the nation.”

Greece is seeking €130 billion (£108bn) from the eurozone and International Monetary Fund, and hopes to have €100bn wiped off its debt by private creditors.