<p class="title">A controversial Greek Orthodox bishop who was convicted of inciting violence against homosexuals has announced his resignation after four decades at the post.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Today is my last service as your bishop," 81-year-old Bishop Amvrosios told his congregation on Sunday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Tomorrow I will submit my resignation, I've been with you for 41 years. I need to look after myself".</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bishop Amvrosios, whose name is Athanassios Lenis, in 2015 labelled gay people the "dregs of society" and called on his followers to "spit on" them in a written address.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He was charged with public incitement to violence and abuse of ecclesiastical duties but was originally found not guilty and released by a court in the western town of Aigio in March last year.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The case was the first of its kind in Greece involving a representative of the influential Orthodox church.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Prosecutors appealed the original verdict to the criminal court in Aigio which in January handed down a seven-month suspended sentence.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The bishop has been known to publicly appear alongside leaders of Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn and his original acquittal sparked criticism from human rights groups.</p>
<p class="title">A controversial Greek Orthodox bishop who was convicted of inciting violence against homosexuals has announced his resignation after four decades at the post.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Today is my last service as your bishop," 81-year-old Bishop Amvrosios told his congregation on Sunday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Tomorrow I will submit my resignation, I've been with you for 41 years. I need to look after myself".</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bishop Amvrosios, whose name is Athanassios Lenis, in 2015 labelled gay people the "dregs of society" and called on his followers to "spit on" them in a written address.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He was charged with public incitement to violence and abuse of ecclesiastical duties but was originally found not guilty and released by a court in the western town of Aigio in March last year.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The case was the first of its kind in Greece involving a representative of the influential Orthodox church.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Prosecutors appealed the original verdict to the criminal court in Aigio which in January handed down a seven-month suspended sentence.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The bishop has been known to publicly appear alongside leaders of Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn and his original acquittal sparked criticism from human rights groups.</p>