A delegation of unaccompanied minor refugees of “Synyparxis” of the Church of Greece visited the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Mr. Ieronymos, today at noon to congratulate him on the 15th anniversary on the Archbishop’s throne and as the head of the Church of Greece. Ten of the two hundred refugees housed in “Synyparxis” facilities, accompanied by the President, Metropolitan of Ilion, Acharnes and Petroupolis, Mr. Athenagoras, the General Director Archimandrite Panteleimon Papasynephakis, and two associates, visited the Archbishop and expressed their gratitude for his love and support. Additionally, the children offered him a small boat as a gift, which they had built themselves and which has a flag on the stern that reads “15”
The Archbishop welcomed all the children and showed interest in learning about their lives and dreams. He noted that “it is our obligation, and we see you as our own children. We do not expect anything from you except to become successful individuals in society.” He also wished and encouraged the children to strive to achieve their dreams.
Metropolitan of Iliou thanked the Archbishop for his paternal words and spoke about his love for everyone, as evidenced by his actions all these years. On his part, F. Pantelimon spoke about the visions that the children have and the desire they expressed to meet with the Archbishop, to congratulate him on his election anniversary, but also to thank him for all that he does.
Since the beginning of 2020, the “SYNYPARXIS – ECUMENICAL PROGRAM FOR REFUGEES” has been operating 5 shelters for hosting unaccompanied minor refugees throughout Greece, as part of the project “Creation and operation of hosting shelters for unaccompanied minors by the Church of Greece” with funding from the National Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund program.
Report for the Radio of the Church: Makis Adamopoulos
Photos: Christos Bonis
