The President of the Hellenic Republic, Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, was visited by the children hosted in the shelters of «SYNYPARXIS», an organization affiliated with the Church of Greece.
Specifically, 25 unaccompanied refugee children, accompanied by the organization’s General Director, Archimandrite Panteleimon Papasynnefakis, representing His Eminence the Metropolitan of Ilion, Mr. Athinagoras, visited the Presidential Palace and were guided through its historic spaces. After their tour and information about the history of the Palace, they had the exceptional joy and honor of meeting with the President of the Republic herself and engaging in an interesting conversation. The President, after receiving the children’s gratitude for the special moment, wished them strength, health, and every success in their lives through the care they receive from the Church of Greece via ‘SYNYPARXIS.’
Just before concluding the meeting, the children presented their own unique, symbolic gifts to Ms. Sakellaropoulou: two paintings they drew themselves, capturing through art both the pain and difficulties of displacement and the hope for peace and a better future. On behalf of ‘SYNYPARXIS,’ the General Director offered memorabilia to the President of the Republic, including an album from the successful Painting Exhibition held a few days ago.
“The invitation of the esteemed President of the Republic to visit the Presidential Palace today and to have a private meeting with her is not only a great honour for us, but also a recognition of the work of the Church of Greece through ‘SYNYPARXIS.’ As the lady president herself has emphasized many times, this work is the realization of the Gospel’s call to help every person in need. Particularly in these unaccompanied children, who today feel the security and assurance that they can build a better future,” stated Archimandrite Panteleimon Papasynnefakis, the General Director of ‘SYNYPARXIS,’ at the end of the visit. He extended an invitation on behalf of His Eminence for the President to attend the Christmas celebration held every year by the organization, featuring the participation of all the children hosted in its shelters.
