Makis,
Practically all churches in Greece have pews, and most cathedral churches have choirs (because in my opinion a protopsaltis with a group of psaltades is a choir).
I have never seen a church anywhere in Greece, save for the Roman Catholic temple in Athens, that had pews. They all have chairs and/or stalls, but never pews. You must be confusing the two. 
And I don't know if you have ever heard a Greek choir in America, but they are nothing at all like a psaltis or a group of psaltadas. They wear protestant robes and sing to the tune of an Organ in a choir loft. You might think you were a Southern Baptist.
As far as spaceships...http://www.dgunning.org/architecture/Wisc/annun.htm :)
From what I can gather, you have never been significantly exposed to the Greek "churches" in America. You have no idea what the "Patriarch" has done here. What I have explained in just the tip of the iceberg.
Your assesment on the Phanar is fair enough.
Tell me, what is the mood in Greece with regards to this issue.
