MacroPolis

There were a few raised eyebrows when SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras spent two days at the semi-autonomous monastic community on Mount Athos in northern Greece last week but his visit should be seen within the context of the leftist party trying to broaden its appeal and mend its damaged relationship with the Orthodox church.

Mount Athos is a common destination for Greek political leaders (Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was there a few months ago) but the sight of Tsipras, who has said he is an atheist, meeting monks was indeed unusual. It was the first such visit by a lefti...