The head of the Orthodox Christian Church in Greece, Archbishop Christodoulos, has provoked a diplomatic storm with neighbouring Turkey by describing Turks as barbarians who should not be allowed to join the EU.
The Greek Government has distanced itself from the remarks, saying it wanted the European Union to be extended to include Turkey.
Archbishop Christodoulos made the remarks during a sermon delivered in a packed church in the capital, which was filled by local television stations.
Referring to the Turks, he said barbarians could not come into what he called the family of Christians.
"We cannot live together," he said.
The archbishop is no stranger to controversy and is well-known for his conservative views.
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