Greece's Orthodox Church has told Athens clergy to dress properly, address visitors softly and ring bells sparingly during the Olympics as part of its bid to use the Games to showcase the country's Orthodox heritage.
In a 10-point letter to churches in the Greek capital, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop Christodoulos, also recommended that churches should be tidied up and have brochures ready for thousands of tourists arriving for the Games.
"Athens will be in the spotlight during that period and should highlight its religious image," church spokesman Father Epifanios Economou said Wednesday.
"Tourists respect other people's traditions, I believe they will be interested in the Greek Orthodox history and we should be ready to offer them what they want," he added.
August is a time of a traditional summer exodus for Athenians and many churches close for some time during the month when the blazing heat can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
With the Games taking place between Aug. 13 and 29, however, Christodoulos suspended leave for all Athens priests and asked churches to extend opening hours and stock up on translations of Greek Orthodox books and Byzantine music CDs.
Foreign language speakers should also be ready to help tourists. "Your manner to foreigners should be impeccable. Any recommendation for improper attire or behavior should be made in a polite way," he said in the letter.
In a separate letter Christodoulos asked Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis to help promote Greece's Orthodox history. The Church represents about 97 percent of Greeks.
"The Holy Synod of Greece decided to ask you to show the necessary attention and promote, along with classical antiquity monuments, the Byzantine ones of the city of Athens," he said.
Athens has undergone a major face-lift ahead of the Games including repaving roads, restoration of historical sites and museums and improved public transport.