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# Mount Athos Requests Opt-out for Government Issued Personal Identification Number
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/84295-mount-athos-requests-opt-out-for-government-issued-personal-identification-number/
- Published: 2025-04-16T07:45:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:11:08.000Z
- Description: As the Athonite Fathers emphasize, the Personal Identification Number raises reasonable concerns both for themselves and for a large part of society.
- Author: News
- Tags: #Category: News, Holy Mountain of Athos

*Originally* [*posted*](https://athoseod.gr/news/83522-to-gion-ros-zit-na-enai-proairetik-i-apdosi-prosopiko-arithmo-tauttitas) *by the UOJ—Athonite Bureau*

In a new letter addressed to the Minister of Digital Governance, Mr. Dimitrios Papastergiou, the Holy Community of Mount Athos expresses its concerns regarding the legislative provision that mandates the compulsory issuance of a Personal Identification Number (P.I.N.) to all Greek citizens starting from August 3/16, 2024.

As the Athonite Fathers point out, the Personal Identification Number, which will be assigned for life to every individual and will be linked to a multitude of personal data within a unified information system of public administration, raises legitimate concerns both for them and for a significant portion of society.

The Holy Community emphasizes that there is no such obligation under European law and urges the government to consider making the Personal Identification Number optional rather than mandatory, based on the free choice of each citizen.

The letter concludes with an appeal to the Minister to respond positively to the request. It is signed by all the Representatives and Abbots of the twenty Holy Monasteries of the Athonite State.

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**The full text of the letter:**

HOLY COMMUNITY OF MOUNT ATHOS  
KARYES, April 1/14, 2025  
Ref. No.: Φ.7/42/893

To the Honorable  
Minister of Digital Governance  
Mr. Dimitrios Papastergiou  
Athens

Honorable Minister,

Having learned that following the recent passing in Parliament of the amendment proposed by the Ministry of Digital Governance regarding the "Inclusion of the Personal Identification Number on the Identity Cards of Greek Citizens," the issuance of the Personal Identification Number for all citizens is set to become mandatory as of August 3/16, 2024, we feel compelled to return to the matter.

The Personal Identification Number, which by law will be assigned to each individual and remain unchanged throughout their lifetime, will be capable of being linked to a wide range of personal data in a single system managed by the General Secretariat of Information Systems of Public Administration.

Given that there is no such requirement under European directives, we too — sharing the reasonable reservations of many Greek citizens and of ourselves, the Athonite Fathers — kindly request that you consider the possibility of not making the issuance mandatory, but optional, at the discretion of each citizen.

With deep respect and in the hope that you will address this matter positively, we remain with utmost honor and prayers.

All the Representatives and Abbots in the common Assembly  
of the twenty Holy Monasteries of Mount Athos.

![Text of the letter](https://uoj.news/content/images/2025/04/84295-mount-athos-requests-opt-out-for-government-issued-personal-identification-number-body-1-5cfd3a0a19df.jpg)

Text of the letter https;//athoseod.gr