Orthodox Mission

En 1 • SEPTEMBER 2012

ORTHODOX MISSION Quarterly Magazine of the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity

orthodox mission Founded in 1963 Honored by the Patriarchate of Alexandria July-September 2012

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En 1 (Gr 218) Editor: Nostis Psarras Editorial board: Nostis Psarras Angelos Voyatzis Constantinos Metallides Authors are responsible for their own articles.

Owner

Orthodox Missionary Fraternity

Recognized charitable, philanthropic, non-forprofit greek corporation.

Aim: Moral and material support for the worldwide Eastern Orthodox Mission.

Spiritual founder :  Archim. Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos Founder :  Pantelis Bayas Great Benefactor :  Panagiotis Papademetracopoulos Chairman : Constantinos Daoudakis

In this issue

Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Equal to the Apostles, patron saints of our Fraternity

You can give your love for the Orthodox Mission Abroad at the Fraternity's office or by deposit in these bank account:

EMPORIKI BANK • ΙΒΑΝ: GR03 0120 4050 0000 0008 0765 011 • BIC: EMPOGRAA Orthodox Missionary Fraternity 6 Makenzie King st.

GR546 22 THESSALONIKI Tel. 2310 279910 • Fax. 2310 279902 ierapostoli@hotmail.com

http://ierapostoles.gr

INDIA

A constant struggle for survival Dear brothers in Christ,

had no other option.

Rejoice in the Lord always!

Despite the economic progress in India, poverty, ignorance and With your love and assistance marginalization through the I get strength and courage for the caste system have led millions continuation of the missionary of Indians living literally on the work. We try to maintain our streets into wretchedness. versatile charitable programs: On the roadsides, in sheds • breakfast for the street and even in burrows of old children muslim graveyards, thousands • common meals for the of children are born suffering homeless disabled from hunger, lack of water and • 5 medical centers and minimum standards of hygiene, • 5 schools in poor remote hardships and diseases. The villages. daily wager is survival…

However, we were obliged Education is a distant dream, to shut down the medical absent even from their sleep. center in Calcutta and 3 others So, you may wonder if there is functioning in the Girls’ anything worse. And there really Orphanage. Unfortunately, we 3|

is! Superstitions, the institution of dowry and the devaluation of women in India have led for dozens of years despite the diligent efforts of the Indian government - to the killing of female embryos.

If nevertheless they are born, these innocent creatures are often confronted with the possibility of abandonment, maltreatment, enforced prostitution.

Striving to save the orphans

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But at the “Theotokos” Girls’ Orphanage, hundreds of little girls since 1999 have been saved and blessed by the presence of the Greek Orthodox Church in India. Saved at last both physically and morally, in their happy voices and smiling faces they are the living testimony of Light in the gloomy darkness of ignorance, idolatry and superstitions.

Ten years later, in November 2009, one more dream became reality: the establishment of the “Saint Ignatius” Boys’ Orphanage. Our little boys, coming from the most indigent social classes as well, have escaped the agonizing present and the bleak future reserved for them and they also became witnesses to Christ’s blessing for their lives.

They walked in slums

Now they can walk in here

They laid on the streets

Now they sleep in beds

It’s a real revolution, which we often take for granted and forget, for the little boys and girls of the outcasts, the “contaminated” and “untouched” (as they are classified by the caste system) to learn that they are equal members, made in the image and likeness of God. Can any clichés or the establishment really stand before such a revelation? How new horizons open up in the souls and minds of these tormented lives!

class to the graduation from university, which is really a great feat, if we consider that education is not provided for free.

Now, these children, boys and girls, have the right to dream, set goals for their future: The Mission cares for their basic needs and with your help supports them in all their schooling steps: from the first primary

We always try to respect every single penny of donation coming from Greece and manage the finances as soundly as possible: In order to reduce the costs of tuition fees, we founded and operate the “Saint Ignatius” School, which covers the educational needs of the younger children. Its high level of schooling, as well as the christian education it provides, are free for our orphans and affordable at a nominal price for the poor children of the region.

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Moreover, to cut the cost of feeding our 150-and-counting children, we have dreamt of creating a farm that would cover a big part of our needs for food. Unfortunately, the works launched for this purpose have remained unfinished for lack of money.

Our older girls eagerly nestle and look after the younger children and, having completed their studies, they undertake teaching some subjects to the younger ones and assist with the secretarial work at school.

Immediate and real threat The unprecedented economic crisis affecting our country has led to the dramatic reduction of donations. The charitable work of the Mission, based almost exclusively on the offers of Greek donors,is being threatened as never before. Anything that has been achieved in this distant country up to now has been done

thanks to your precious help: the two-cent-coin of the widow has turned into housing, food, water, clothing, medication, books for the poorest of the poor, where and as possible.

They wandered hungry

Now they eat three times a day

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The heart of all our philanthropic actions is the orphanages; we strive to keep

They worked since their play age

Now they go to school

them running by cutting down the number of medical centers and limiting even the portions of the meals supplied to the homeless. If the orphanages are shut down, these children, having nobody in this world, are in danger of returning to the streets.

needs of all of our charitable programs, the orphanages and “Saint Ignatius� School as frugally as possible, but based on our budget estimates, our income and expenses, logically and with mathematic precision we are going to be unable to operate in a while.

It is very difficult to reach out for help from the suffering due to the fierce financial crisis Greeks. However, together with the Greek people, the missionary work is also put into trial, since it is fully dependent on your own help and not sponsored by any official body.

The Indian legislation also requires some constructional additions (emergency exit and outdoor toilets) to be made for the school to get licensed for the bigger classes (6th grade and on). The construction cost according to the lowest bid we were offered amounts to 23.000 â‚Ź. These necessary works are The needs are tremendous unavoidable, since without and we are in a stranglehold. this license, the new grades We try to cover the operational will not be permitted to open.

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Consequently, our orphans will have to be enrolled in another school and we will have to pay for the costly fees. Such a thing is impossible.

Their parents are you It is strange how a christian from Greece and an orphan child from India are connected with each other. They do not know each other personally, but they are intertwined rings in a chain of solidarity.

future they will vouch for this experience; the older children already recognize and acknowledge it.

In their daily prayers, both young and older children mumble a thanksgiving to God These children have never for everyone of you, who with known the paternal or maternal your prayer and contribution care, but they do know that are of assistace in their everyday somebody from this distant needs. You are an integral part country named Greece cares and of their daily prayers, and we helps them. Each and everyone rely on yours too. of you becomes a distant image On behalf of everyone in farof "father" and "mother", a off India, I express our heartfelt model of a real Christian, who thanks and gratitude, and we minds those in need. send our cordial wishes for the At a time when Greek upcoming feast of Theotokos. people are vilified in the May the Mother of the Christian civilized European countries, people support, protect and these people become everyday redeem us all from visible and witnesses to their offers, invisible enemies. benevolence, solidarity and With honour, gratitude and a christian testimony of love. They lot of love in Christ, stand as the silent ambassadors of the real Greece, and in the Sr. Nectaria |8

FIJI ISLANDS

Blessed Creation Saweni, Viti Levu, FIJI Despite the many difficulties and concerns we have in the Orthodox Mission abroad, wherever on earth we may outreach, there are also special blessings and delights.

while the petting of the cool neat breeze refreshes our face and soul.

The Divine Liturgy is held every Sunday and feast; our humble and innocent Orthodox Christians send praises to the Holy Trinity in their sweet voices and when receiving the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Redeemer Jesus Christ, their faces are enlightened with the joy and cheerfulness of the Holy Communion.

Such a great blessing we were lately given by the grace of the Mother of God: we got a beautiful Monastery dedicated to Her name and celebrating August 23rd, the Apodosis of her Dormition. It is built in a panoramic place, where the green of the plains and the blue of the vast oceanic sea There follows the table of interchange relieving the mind, love that brings them together,

On the Fiji Islands, flowers of the Pacific Ocean, Orthodoxy is bearing the first fruit.

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people of all ages with their priests at the head tasting the frugal but palatable dishes they are given daily by the benevolent God, just like the birds of the sky. ÂŤThou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.Âť.

Everyone rejoices in the Monastery as their own center of spiritual life and, now that they are looking at the cells where the monks will be living, they cheer up and help in the construction either by paying or not.

They also jump for joy, because the foundation stone for the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity has been set at a distance of c.

200 meters from the Monastery of Theotokos. Moreover, a road has been opened, on which the essentials for the erection of the church and the orphanage will be carried.

It is truly a blessed creation and a divine blessing when there is a monastery in a missionary diocese. It is the greenhouse of virtue and the foundation of the orthodox spirituality. Every holy Father of the Church and every missionary came out of a |10

monastery knowing the secrets of holiness. This is what the missionaries of today are called to teach to the new christians.

The truth is aptly articulated by St. Gregory the Theologian:

«We must first be cleaned and then clean others, illuminated first and then illuminate others, first reach God and then bring others to Him».

For all these we thank our holy God, especially for this blessed creation of the Holy Monastery of the Dormition.

«It will be an ever alight vigil candle in the midst of the Ocean; an eternal symbol of divine worship and prayer on the Pacific islands, which have now started to get accustomed to the rhythm of Orthodoxy.

The stars in the sky and on earth the candles of the churches, the monasteries and every Christian house. Glory to His name, sacred and holy». Amphilochios of New Zealand

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MALAWI

A care of love My dear brothers, rejoice in the Lord.

imprisoned brothers. It’s a great relief they get and we really pray to God to enlighten our donors

By God’s grace and our most specifically for this program. reverend Bishop’s blessings, we write to you this brief We remind you of our letter to express once more the great desire to erect the church thankfulness of our Malawian of the Nativity of the Saviour. brothers for your generous It’s almost a year since H.B. the offers.

Patriarch laid the foundation stone for this yet-to-be-built Let us make it known to your church in the heart of Blantyre. love that our Mission continues The Urban Planning Service has to offer daily: already approved of the design Common meals for 300 and we pray that a devout donor poor children attending our will come up for this sacred kindergartens. It is imperative to purpose. keep giving our help to indigent Therefore, we inform to your families, that’s why we ask for love that the Holy Church is every loving small or big offer. estimated to cost 85,ooo €, a

We also strive to preserve considerably high amount of our charitable visits to our money for this critical economic

C

Α

Β

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period.

The expenses for every seminarist come to 1,200 €

In addition, let us remind annually, plus a small monthly to your love that within our allowance of 40 € as financial missionary efforts and care, support to their families. we consider it very important to see about the training of We pray to God to enlighten potential indigenous priests and noble donors to embrace and catechists. These people are the support the programs of our living hope for the continuation mission aforementioned so that of our missionary work. For we will be able to keep working this reason we send annually 3 for the annunciation of our to 4 indigenous seminarists to African brothers, not only out the two Orthodox Ecclesiastical of love for God, but also out Schools: that of the Patriarchate of love for our much afflicted of Alexandria in Egypt and that fellow man. God bless you all. of the Holy Metropolis of Kenya. f. Ermolaos Iatrou

Δ

Common meal in a classroom in Malawi 13|

14 wells of life from the spring of your heart Dear brothers, rejoice in the Lord!

Below we are mentioning the regions where the wells have been drilled in the much afflicted I am very happy to announce country of Malawi. Every single to you today that by the Grace well and region is accompanied of God and the blessings of our by photographs so that you can bishop, the 14 wells you have have a better idea of the great donated us this year, have been donation you made! completed.

The most blessed of all, my That was a blessed act, and beloved brothers, is that in those it is really worth praising all regions, all the plots belong your donors who, despite the to our church. In 10 of them economic crisis in Greece, we have already erected Holy offered us 14 invaluable wells Churches, and the 4 left are in which are absolutely necessary our future plans. This way we for the natives’ daily needs. can say that next to a church, Our African brothers are there is a well donated by you. grateful, and every time they God bless you all. May His drink clean water, they will be Grace be with you and support thinking that the Greeks are you. those who help them quench their thirst. f. Ermolaos Iatrou |14

The 14 wells are the following: 1)

Milepa, region of Tsirazulu, parish of the Presentation of Theotokos

2)

Blantyre, region of Bayani, parish of the Lord’s Resurrection

3)

Blantyre, parish of the Nativity

4)

Region of Polombe, parish of the Archangels

5)

Kambotzi village, region of Bouboue, parish of Saint George

6)

Region of Loutsentza

7)

Lilogue capital, parish of Saint Stylianos

8)

Region of Moulanzi, parish of Saint Anne

9)

Region of Zomba, parish of Saints Athanasios and Cyril

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Region of Lilangue, parish of Saint Stylianos

11)

Region of Migoi

12)

Region of Dirandi, parish of Saint Antonios

13)

CA region in Blantyre, parish of the Holy Trinity

14)

Region of Makande.

Inaugurating the 14th well in Makande 15|

TANZANIA Dar Es Salaam

"Come over into Tanzania, and help us" With the help of our most merciful God, the blessing of Theodore, the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, and the full of love and care fruitful pastorate of His Eminence Demetrios of Irinoupolis, the number of the churches built in our God-saved diocese reaches 30.

Jesus! It is so different to hear from a distance about this situation than to be present at it.

The experiences I humbly lived during my eight-year-work in Tanzania were and still are really stirring.

AIDS patients receiving medical aid in the beautiful churches?

The diseases, my dear brothers, affect a large number of people of every age, even the most tender. Poverty, in every sense of the word, is a major problem for the biggest part of the population. Lack of clean water and medical aid are some of its main consequences.

But the affectionate mother, called Orthodox Church, took care of them; besides drilling for water, building clinics and other charities, we have constructed and operate more than thirty What to recall first? The churches, mainly in the Iringa spangly-eyed children waiting region, but also in Morongoro, for the common meal, or the Kimamba and Tanga, bringing |16

the message of the Ark of Salvation, for which our African brothers were waiting for 20 centuries.

and Kalenga, St. Paraskevi in Mangalali, the Annunciation of Theotokos in Ipuasi, the Lifegiving Spring in Niamahana, the Archangels in Mloa, Prophet Who is so great a God as Elijah in Mafruto, St. Philip our God? Oh, Lord, how great in Kimbebe, St. Nectarios in are Thy works! In recent years, Isakalilo, Iringa are some of 3 churches were consecrated; them, dominating the region St. John the Baptist at Nzihi, and operating ceaselessly.

St. Panteleimon at Ilalasimba and St. Paraskevi of Epibates at To them, remission of sins Indodi. and eternal life are offered, as well as medications, medical Moreover, our Metropolis treatment, assistance for AIDS has blessed the opening of other and the schooling needs of the churches, too: children.

Hagia Sophia in Mangubiki, Lately, we have had a new St. Basil in Niamihu, Ss. growth. Churches, like St. John Constantine and Helen in Kipera in Tukamalenga, St. Stylianos

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in Kitisi, St. Athanasios in Kitapilimwa, Apostle Barnabas in Wenda, Ss. Forefathers Joachim and Anne in Unguatsania are abiding proof of the critical Orthodox presence in the region aforementioned.

It should be noted that the last two of these churches have been erected on the international highway to South Africa and serve as a benchmark for the thousands of passers-by.

Recently, our Bishop has blessed the opening of the church in Uguatsania and the clinic “SS. Peter and Paul� in Wenda.

The harvest is therefore plentiful but the workers are few. We deeply thank you for all your help among other things through the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity. Please, my beloved readers, ask the Lord to send out suitable workers into the Mission, who, coming over into Tanzania, will help us for his glory. May the Lord give.

Arch. Photios Hadjinicolaou Chancellor, H.M. Irinoupolis

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GHANA Dear brothers, I send some photos from the school we built in Djaha, Ghana thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor from Nea Orestias, Greece. Soon, it will be completed and by God’s grace it will open for the new school year. There is also substructure for expansion, and it would be greatly appreciated if a good Christian helped us to expand it. We are aware of the hardships of these times, but our caring God always opens the doors and, whenever we asked for His help, your Fraternity responded and helped us immediately.

With love in Christ, ď‚…Georgios of Accra

Our new school in Djaha is completed 19|

TANZANIA Mwanza

Fruit of charity The charitable work of the Holy Metropolis of Mwanza is a result of the love and offer of our Orthodox Greek brothers.

They give us the chance to do good and relieve the wounds of the helpless and long-suffering Africans.

Quite often, more or less at times, we receive the gifts of their love with a container; this way, we can give them the joy that they are not alone, that the Church cares for them and stands by them, not only spiritually, but also materially.

Our intention to embrace the people in their psychosomatic |20

substance and share with them a little of the particularly heavy load they carry on a daily basis, has led us to taking advantage of the possibilities offered to us at times in the field of health. There is already a fullyequipped hospital - medical center operating on the outskirts of Bukoba, which relieves dozens of people in the ampler region of the province of Kagera by covering basic medical and pharmaceutical needs. The presence of voluntary teams of Greek and American doctors, at times, is a real blessing for all of us. The services offered by these teams, to a different part

of the Metropolis each time, are Our concern on this matter is invaluable and comforting and ceaseless. The Orthodox Greeks fill with hope our much afflicted have helped us and still do so. brothers.

Thanks to their subscription we have already started operating Educating the children and successfully two Junior High the young ones is a matter of Schools in the form of a boardgreat concern to us. Their life ing school, on the premises of can be radically changed and our Church. There, apart from reformed through knowledge. knowledge, the children can be If they want it, education will taught honesty and values. bring them closer to the Truth, which every human soul is In addition, the Orthodox craving for, but especially the young men and women of the African soul. Their capacities Metropolis regard as great are plentiful and their eagerness benefactors of their life those big, but the educational as well people sharing the same beliefs as the living frame within which and religion, who, with love they develop, does not allow for and enthusiasm encouraged much improvement or progress. and supported their steps to

Church in a mud hut 21|

the higher ranks of education (Senior High School, University and College). These young people are graduates today, and some of them express their gratitude by supporting the work of the Holy Metropolis, offering the fruit of their studies to the field of the Church. They are well aware of the fact that an intangible dream came true because some sensitive people with faith in Jesus Christ stood by their side with love and care.

The Orthodox Missionary Fraternity has been of assistance to the work of the annunciation

of the souls in northern Tanzania, supporting in any possible way father Sosthenes Kiyonga, the first Tanzanian missionary in the region, who passed away 8 years ago. Thanks to his incessant service in a region as large as Greece and serving in 30 parishes, thousands of souls found salvation in Christ. We hope that through his wishes the orthodox faith will be rooting and flourishing more and more on the African land. For all these we thank you and ask for your prayers.

From the Holy Metropolis

Fr. Sosthenes Kiyonga, an indogenous missionary of Mwanza

UGANDA Bombo Rejoice in the Lord always!

A few days later we were also visited by the Metropolitan of Philippi Prokopios along with a team of sixteen people. He baptized a lot of catechumens in the region of Buyambo and set the foundations of the Holy Church of Saint Basil in the region of Kikwanya.

I am writing to you from faroff Uganda to tell you our news.

First I would like to inform you that we have received the amount of 13,000 â‚Ź which you so kindly sent us for the common meals at the orphanage, and I would like to thank you for your warm-heartedness and Such visits fill us with joy generosity. and give us courage to face the difficult situation we are Recently we were paid a visit in. We pray that the All-good by the Metropolitan of Kition God keeps healthy all of you Chrysostomos along with a large as well as the partners of the number of volunteer doctors Orthodox Mission, which has and nurses, who offered their been constructing schools, medical expertise and services orphanages and health centers for a week. The Metropolitan in our region for 20 years now. and the team participated in the Our efforts are being continued consecration of the Holy Church for the glory of God. of Theotokos in Bugolo.

Our warmest thanks f. Ioannis Kimbuka

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Children queuing for breakfast in our clinic in Madagascar

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Kinshasa

Creating the stepping stone to education Dear Mister President and Church of the Annunciation of members of the Fraternity, Theotokos as well as the erection of the school. The proper A journey to the jungle of instructions for their completion the River Congo hides a lot of were given on Thursday and emotion, which is aroused by the Friday morning. We found out natives and the ragged children that the people working there that we come across on the are doing everything in their streets when we pass through power in order to finish both the villages with the grass-huts. works as soon as possible.

We are very happy to inform First of all, the completion you that the works in the city of of the school along with the Gungu, which is 700 kilometers interior equipment is estimated southeast of the capital of at a minimum of 10,000 â‚Ź. We Congo Kinshasa, are in the final believe that this school will course. We visited the city last become a center of the Orthodox Thursday on August 23rd. We Education. It is the first Orthodox watched the course of the works school within a radius of 700,000 for the construction of the Holy kilometers. |26

The people there expressed their joy for that, and are looking forward to its operation. In our Holy Metropolis, wherever there are Orthodox schools, they offer a high level of education, that is why a lot of parents want their children to attend them.

there are expecting it to finish, at least its external construction, within two months. However, they are doing their best in order to finish it earlier.

I will try to inform you about everything so that you can keep the donors informed as well.

I am therefore asking you to I want to express my heartfelt contribute to the completion of gratitude for your love and the construction of the school. support to our Holy Metropolis.

The erection of the Holy May God bless your work Church of the Annunciation of and your families.

Theotokos is on the way. After the consignment of the last building ď‚… Nikiforos of Central Africa - materials, the people working

In anticipation of their school 27|

MADAGASCAR

A blooming of love By the Grace of God and the blessings of the reverend Head of the second to the throne Patriarchate and our spiritual father His Grace Patriarch Theodore, the works are in progress. The (economic) crisis has certainly affected us here, too, because our revenues have been reduced by 50%. Being human, it is only natural for us to be concerned. However, we believe that God supervises and provides for His works, because whatever happens, is His work and happens for a good cause. Faith and hope in His Providence will never be absent from our heart. We can draw so many examples out of our long experience that lack of faith and panic have no place in |28

our life. We are moving towards both directions, missionary and charitable, with considerable difficulties though. We have reduced plenty of our important activities due to the financial crisis, but we are trying to continue any activity or program we can.

In search of drinkable water Problems in missions have no end. Every day new problems arise unexpectedly. A serious problem we are facing with the southern part of the country around the region of Tulear is shortage of water A large region of several thousand acres lacks drinkable water, and the people have to carry it daily from far away, a distance

The new orphanage in Antananarivo I cannot help referring to the continuous financial help of your Fraternity and especially the regular offer of food given out every week to a large number of poor families. We also want to thank you for the donation of 50,000â‚Ź from a lady donor, who has undertaken one wing of the orphanage. The works for the erection are being continued but the number of the people working there has been reduced because we cannot pay quite often and in big installments the constructor who has undertaken the erection of the orphanage. We do not complain about anything but we praise God for everything and are also grateful to all of you, who, despite your financial difficulties, keep helping us to continue the work of our church.

of approximately 8 kilometers, on their carts, or in makeshift wheelbarrows, or even on the head in jerry-cans. This is a picture we see daily on the main roads when we go to Tulear. I remember once it had rainedrain is a rare phenomenon in that region - and the children would fill their buckets from the

gutters on the roadsides. They were very happy because they had the chance to play with the rain water.

Considering the needs of this region, we thought of constructing cisterns of water with a capacity of 25-30,000 liters each and fill them up with

Catechumens in Beravy 29|

the help of the water-wagon we brought from Greece once a month so that the people can have clean drinkable water and also water their livestock, which are suffering so much.

that we will be able to face this urgent need for drinkable water.

In total, we need three cisterns for three different villages. The cost of each cistern is expected to come to 10,000â‚Ź. I honestly apologize for asking such a high Taking into consideration the amount of money in the middle economic crisis our country is of a crisis, but even your smallest facing, I am begging the beloved contribution could be of great friends of the Orthodox Mission help to us. to support us if they can, so Sacraments in mud huts Despite our difficulties, we are honored to see the great appeal Orthodoxy has, always by the Grace of God. Last week more than 100 people were added to the body of our Church through the holy sacrament of Baptism. Several months before, f. Paul had prepared and catechized those people in order to accept the Grace of the Holy Spirit. Their village is quite far from the central road, where cars have no access. We followed the cart track, at the risk of the car breaking down on the way. |30

This village has no church of its own, therefore, the holy liturgies and all the sacraments are held in a poorly made mud hut, which, I believe, has a solemn atmosphere, but the people are asking for a beautiful church, as in the other villages. It is the second time we have had group christenings and weddings in this village, but we cannot afford the construction of a new church. Let us hope that God presents a devout donor who will undertake the cost of this church.

Expedition to the jungle The life of an orthodox missionary is mainly an uphill road, a calvary. In a distant village where there is still no church, the people were begging me through the priest to visit them. Despite the amount of work I had, the priest and I set a Sunday for the visit. It was a long way to the village, and the road was rough and broken, with big ditches in the way. We set off on Saturday noon taking with us all the necessary things for the Holy Liturgy. The mission jeep -loaded with stuff and people- was struggling to avoid the difficult parts of the road. Darkness fell long before we reached the village, and driving became even more 31|

Catechesis in a straw hut

difficult. We were all possessed Christians during his visits. by anxiety and fear in case After they welcomed us and something unexpected occurred took our blessing by kissing on the way. our hands, we all got into a big A few hundred meters before classroom-since there is still no the village we were met by men temple- and started catechism. who had come to take us there.

The room filled with young When we eventually reached the and old who were listening to the village, it was very late but our word of the Lord in exemplary praise to God was big and our silence. The few candles shed emotion high when we saw all light on the place of the speaker, the Christians, young and old, while the very little children waiting for us outside the school started feeling sleepy. Although with lighted candles in order to plenty of the adults did not want welcome us. to leave, the speaker, having Our joy was great, and this discretion, closed the subject reminded us of the Acts of because it was already very late. the Apostles and the Epistles For dinner they took us to the of Apostle Paul, when, along catechist’s house, where they with his custody, he met the |32

had prepared the best food they had with plenty of love. It is very moving to see poor people depriving themselves of the best food in order to give it to others.

In the villages the houses are practically mud huts and the space for hospitality limited.

In spite of this, we were all settled somewhere, and so was the Bishop in the back car seat.

Demands have no place in missionary expeditions. In the morning the space in the school where the Holy Liturgy would be held was ready. A big classroom was emptied from the desks and was prepared for the Liturgy. In

a while, it was filled to capacity.

Their attention was exemplary.

In the end, there was sermon followed by free discussion.

Their request always the same: "we need a Holy Church, because the school, despite the fact that the headmaster offers it with all his heart, does not help us spiritually". We promised to start right as soon as the money required was found. The plot is ready thanks to a devout person’s donation. These people know how to wait and be patient. Let us hope that God will provide the solution to this problem. Ignace of Madagascar

Outdoor christenings 33|

BURUNDI & RWANDA

Faith within the turmoil I have been trying to write to you for quite some time now, but life concerns have been keeping me away. When we talk about life concerns, we mean the efforts for the daily struggle to keep the Diocese as well as the missionary work alive.

have to take care of: the priests, their cassocks, their families, the scholarships we grant, the common meals and the medical care for a large number of little children and elderly people.

The conditions in the countries of our diocese are not good.

In Burundi there is political upheaval, there are no phones, and everything has risen by 200%. How can these people survive? They cannot find either gas cylinders or charcoal to cook with. An absolute chaos!

Apart from the construction of churches, schools and surgeries, there are functional expenses that should be covered, too. If I were alone, I wouldn’t mind.

What I do mind though, is the priests and the little children we have with us, two GreekI have been here for a couple African kids from a Greek father of days now and disappointment and an African mother. Both and fear can be seen on the faces parents have died, so we have of young and old, who rush to undertaken raising them. the mission centers asking for There are plenty of things we help. The instruction I give to |34

the priests and partners of the Mission is to be restrained and only promote the urgent medical cases of the children in need because our financial condition does not allow for more, and I honestly do not know how long we will be able to bear such rises and such a severe situation.

most difficult country, and in this extremely difficult period for Greece, we are trying to develop the missionary, social and humanitarian work which has been assigned to us by the reverend Head of the Church of Alexandria.

Who knows God’s plans I very much wanted to write though? We can only be praying: to you about Rwanda, where "Direct the works of our there is a serious problem on the hands to Your will, and guide border with Congo, and a war in us to do those things gratifying full progress between guerillas to you, so that through us, the and the army. However, I unworthy, Your all-holy name is preferred to share with you glorified..." these difficult missionary cases that all of us experience on this Savvas of Burundi & Rwanda African land. Burundi is the

i

The first Orthodox clinic in Burundi, sponsored by an anonymous regular member of our Brotherhood, proceeds to its completion.

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CONGO BRAZZAVILLE & GABON

The Pygmies of Congo are waiting for your support Dear brothers and partners, Rejoice in the Lord always.

For the past two weeks I have been close to you mentally, and I am sure so have you through your supportive prayers. Our recently established Diocese has no revenues of its own that safeguard its operation.

Being exclusively dependent on our devout Greek donors, it experiences the economic crisis many times as large.

However, it has never occurred to me to leave the priests unpaid, or cut off the operation of our radio station, or fire the school teachers or the orphanage staff. I believe that |36

God shall not abandon us and neither shall we our flock.

Our poor brothers of Impfondo are expecting both you and me to continue our missionary work there by conducting holy services, catechizing, baptizing, helping spiritually and materially those accepting your love along with the Grace of God, and your gifts as gifts of Paradise.

I am asking you from the bottom of my heart to help me visit and encourage this parish, which you have sponsored, because I cannot afford even the fares there.

Living

among

our

poor

brothers, we, poor ourselves, share this "nothing" and keep on living thanking God even for His smallest donations, enjoying your love, even if it reaches us in the form of sincere promises, which offer us hope.

Will I become tiring if I ask you to help us with your little financial support for Impfondo, so that I will be able to send you photographs of your loving Pygmies as soon as I get there?

Always wishing you the Lord’s blessing and your partners’ actual support in your life.

With love in Christ Hieromonk Theologos

The mission to the Pygmies has been developed within the last years.

Our Fraternity has been supportive to the annunciation of the remote jungle of the river Ubangi, tributary of the River Congo. Unfortunately, due to financial problems, it is doubtful whether this effort will be maintained or not. Your support is absolutely necessary for the continuation of the dawn of Orthodoxy in this region.

Christening of a pygmy

The legendary river Congo When the dawn breaks the silence of the night, the River Congo is the only one that stays awake to keep her company.

Also, at welcoming the sunrise, when the “festive symphony” of the variform birds of the sky starts, he is the only guest of honor.

occupies an area of 3,800,000 square kilometers.

The river boats traverse a part of 2,736 kilometers, which is navigable throughout the year, while in the other parts transportation is taken on by the forest, which presents the natives with tree trunks, the Its name, a legend in Africa, famous “pirogues”. activates our imagination and The first man to sail all along flows in the heart of the jungle, the Congo was the English which it traverses. explorer Henry Morton Stanley.

Every single tear coming from His adventurous journey started the leaden clouds participates in 1874 and ended in 1877. His in the formation of this water- bravery and courage led him to molded giant, which is one of a vision which came true. the biggest rivers in the world.

The Congo is imaginably It is 4,700 kilometers long and |38

intersected by the equator. Due to its huge size, it is claimed by the north and south hemisphere but it flows into the south. In the southern part the river rises in the mountains of Zambia. Near its sources it is called Luapula but on its northeast course he is renamed into Lualaba. In the northern part its tributary Ubangi “visits� the Central African Republic, crossing its capital Bangi.

reminding it of its supremacy.

The landscapes drawn with its aquatic paint brush alternate between magical serenity and big surprises coming from its troubled waters, which, when falling off the high rungs of the land, form fantastic waterfalls, the most famous being those of Livingstone, Inga and Boyoma.

On the Congo lies a large number of islands, some small with sand-dunes and others Its main part follows a curving bigger and full of trees. The route with lots of tributaries island of Sumba is 80 kilometers and beautiful names, while the long and 8 (kilometers) wide. waters babble along the way. It is the biggest among the Flowing in the jungle, the Congo approximately 4,000 islands imposes its presence on nature, along the river. On its amazingly

Fishing at the Kisangani falls 39|

long course to its estuary into the Atlantic Ocean, there are big alternations in terms of length and width, (until 15 kilometers) even from the one bank to the other. Its mud waters flow into the Ocean and give it this dark color within a radius of 120 kilometers away from the coast.

The Congo is the main river artery in Central Africa. On

its banks lie Kinshasa and Brazzaville, the capitals of the two countries that bear its name, as well as other big cities, like Kisangani, Bataha, Boma, Matandi and many other smaller ones. Thousands of villages nestle in its waters, which generously offer them the food they need from its guts.

The natives of a remote region have to travel for a week in their carved wooden pirogues in order to reach the nearest small hospital. The agony of the sick those days is only accompanied by the flow of the life-giving Congo, which, most times, is not enough though, as any delay can be proved fatal.

Today in this region, on the river Congo, in the heart of the jungle, with the loving offer of a donor, the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity creates the first “versatile health center “, which caters for all types of patients and diseases.

N.PS.

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In the missionary vineyard of Madagascar There may have been several months since my visit to the orthodox missionary group of the Holy Diocese of Madagascar in Alasoura, just outside the capital of this huge insular country, but I cannot forget all those marvelous things that take place there by the Grace of God and the toil of the few people who support the work of the material and mainly the spiritual service to the African fellow man.

The first day of my stay at the premises of the Diocese, name day of the Holy Unmercenaries coincided with the return of a group of health officials from Cyprus, who moved to the hinterland of the 4th largest island in the world. They daily set up outdoor surgeries

in order to provide medical and pharmaceutical care to people who are deprived of basic medical necessities (like peroxide, antibiotics, antipyretic and anti-malarial drugs), thus falling seriously ill, or even to patients who have never visited a doctor in their entire life.

Therefore, due to the adverse sanitary condition and the inadequacy of the state health systems, within the frame of its pastoral and charitable action the Diocese of Madagascar runs 3 clinics, , which provide medical, nursing and pharmaceutical services, all organized by the doctor f. Anastasios. The only motive is the order of God "love one another" for the relief of the suffering brothers, especially the poor ones, regardless of race, 41|

color or religion, with respect for the freedom of the individual, without aiming at religious conversion or influence of the conscience.

kindergarten which is situated within the episcopate, where I found out how much emphasis the Most Reverent gives to the field of education.

During my three-week involvement in examining and treating patients at the dental and surgical section of the Clinic in Alasoura, I contacted children with serious oral problems due to lack of means of oral hygiene and vitamin deficiency, old people from the rest home of the Diocese, as well as people of the surrounding regions, who, despite going there from a long distance, were waiting for their turn patiently. Dental stuff was distributed to the children of the

I clearly remember the father of 6 children, Reymond, who came to the surgery with cold gangrene in his toe. He was taken to a hospital in Antananarivo, where, on the Diocese’s expenses he underwent an amputation on his toe. The picture of smiling Reymond being accompanied to the hospital while knowing about the oncoming surgery has been engraved on my memory.

Unconsciously crossed my mind the words of f. Ignatius about our brothers from Madagascar:

|42

"They know how to smile innocently within the pain and toil of their ‘non-fairy tale’ life, and they are also aware of the ‘art’ of patience and fortitude in grief, temptations and diseases".

this special in terms of natural beauty and rare ecosystems island of Madagascar, and despite the adversities, it is being developed through the construction of Holy Churches, schools, spiritual centers and a I especially value my Nunnery. Group christenings memories of the expeditions take place after intensive with the priest-monk f. catechism, dependent on free Polycarpos for catechism, offer will, in an emotional and joyful of clothes, food, little icons to the atmosphere, where quite often children and contact with the the only sound heard is the inhabitants of remote regions. splash of the holy water, which With the help of our interpreter releases the neophytes from the Mr Samuel, we came closer and bonds of magic and animism referred to the Church as “a (cult of the ancestors). It is worth hospital of souls”. mentioning the ritual life of the So far Orthodoxy has been flock, which is characterized by actively present for 18 years on the first Christian devoutness 43|

and order, the guileless faith and the common participation of young and old in the choir.

His Eminence characteristically says that the people of Malagasy is a field waiting to be sown and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

impatiently having walked long distances, often carrying younger brothers on their back, but always with radiant faces and cordial smiles. I saw the same bright looks on the faces of the volunteers from Greece and Australia, with whom we Despite the severe economic agreed that visiting the Mission crisis, the Diocese with the help is a gift from God, since you are of the Orthodox Missionary amply rewarded by Him, even Fraternity of Thessaloniki, offers for your slightest contribution. daily a morning common meal with multivitamin biscuits and Christos Georgiou milk in order to deal with the Dentist-Doctor undernourishment of almost Regular Member 1000 children. They arrive of the Fraternity

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Columns of Gratitude "For God loveth a cheerful giver" Donations from 1/5/2012 until 31/7/2012 Anonymous 9752 * Hatzigeorgis Katherine 87.08 * Papadopoulos Periklis 500 * Vasilopoulos Dinos 750.4 * Aamond Anastasia 100 * Avramidou Maria 200 * Agiographic societies of Flamouria and Aloron 850 *Adamoudi Olga 50 * Alvanou Hari klia 20 * Amanatiadou Kyriaki 50 * Anastasiadou Athina 5,000 * Andri Vaia 100 * Andriopoulou Aspasia 300 * Anthimidou Maria 25 * Axarli Eleftheria 100 * Apostolos Christos 100 * Arvaniti K. 500 * Arsena Ioan. 150 * Asanakis Georgios 50 * Avloniti Malamo 50 * Afxonides Evangelos 180 * Afxonides Konstadinos 200 * Vajias Ioannis H. 55 * Vaitsi Vassiliki 700 * Vamvakidou Parthena 50 * Veriotis Stefanos 50 * Vitsa Styliani 100 * Vlachopoulou Alexandra 100 * Voliotis P. Damaskinos 800 * Vouras Nikolaos 50 * Vourthoumbas Anastasios 1,500 * Vrakas Emmanuel 120 * C1 class of 5th Primary School of Kalamaria 38 * Garouphalis Leonidas 200 * Garyphallos Andreas 120 * Geladari Matina 30 * Georgiou Christos 20 * Gerondithis Christophoros 100 * Georgitsi Areti 20 * Gialou Evangelia 200 * Giannos Charalambos 50 * Girousis Vassilios 50 * Giotis Christos 150 * Gassios Demetrios 1,000 * Gogidou Isidora 50 * Gremou Panagiota 55 * Gramatikopoulou Georgia 10 * Grochtsou Eleni 100 * D. H. 2,000 * Danoglidou Stavroula 20 * Daoutis Konstadinos 100 * Dafno- poulos Antonios 10 * Demetriades Nikolaos 100 * Dimou Christina 20 * Miscellaneous (Charalambidou Smaro) 165 * Dionysopoulou Panagiota 200 * Domsarides f. Petros 50 * Dramalidou Eleni 10 * Drissi Efthymia 25 * Dorotheos Emmanuel 300 * Evdou Zacharoula 50 * Zervaki Sophia 10 * Zerzi Demetra 100 * Zoula Eleni 110 * Zographou Elizabeth 100 * Elia Efterpi 20 * Heliadi Konstadia 50 * Heliades Konstadinos 50 * Heliopoulos Vassilios 50 * Theodosopoulos Demetrios 100 * Theodorakaki Vassiliki 20 * Theodoridou

Eleono- ra 10 * Holy Monasteri of Proussos , Karpenisi, 300 * Hieromonk Gregorios 500 * Hieropoulou Maria 50 in memory of Maria Demosthenes Chi- liopoulou * Ioannis Vangelis 50 * Ioannidou 50 * Kazantzides Savas 300 * Kalaitsides Prodromos 20 * Kalamakides Apostolos 50 * Kalimeri Maria 100 * Kallin P. 20 * Kalogianni Katherine 10 * Kalogianni Katherine 10 *Kambouris Stamatis 40 * Kantzides Theodoros 10 * Karageorgakis Eugenia 100 * Economou f. Aristides 50 * Orphanides Eleftherios 250 * Ouroumi Eleni 150 * Pagani Eleni 50 * Pagalidou Eleni 100 * Panagiotidou Olga 10 * Pantazi Demetra 30 * Papavarnavas Menikos 90 * Papadaki Theoni 5 * Papadopoulos Vassilios 100 * Papadopoulos P. 200 * Papadopoulos Prodromos 50 * Papadopoulos Prodromos 50 * Papadopoulou Elizabeth 10 Papadopoulou Kyriaki 20 * Papazoglaki Theodora 200 * Papakyridou Maria 15 * Papadoniou Theocharis 20 * Papapostolou Kassiani 60 * Papasarafianou Evdoxia 170 * Pappas George 1,000 * Pappas Elias 250 * Paschos Athanasios 50 * Patsiodemos Ioannis 30 * Pavli Anna 80 * Pavlidou Maria 100 * Paftounou Maria 50 * Pegiou Katherine 10 * Pelidou EliettaSyglitiki 500 * Petridou Artemis 25 * Pechliva 120 * Piperas Ioannis 50 * Piteni Georgia 50 * Plasteras Vassilios 150 * Pizrikidis Aristidis 50 * Polychroniades Nikolaos 50 * Polychroniadou Evangelia 20 * Pontzo Kyparissia 10 * Pontiki Despina 20 * Pontikis Kyriakos 20 * Pourlides Thomas 20 * Prinou Elli 50 * Prousinoudi Niki 100 * Rossiadou Anastasia 100 * Savidou Nasli 30 * Sakorafa Konstadia 50 * Samara Kyriaki 10 * Saouridou Sophia 300 * Sarlantzis Athanasios 300 * Sergini- Sakopoulou Eleni 50 * Sideropoulou Haido 30 * Sismani Evmorphia 15 * Smixioti Eleni 100 * Soleki Efterpi 153.96 * Sourvali Pelagia 30 * Spanos Athanasios 120 * Stavrakides Nikolaos 50 * Strogyli Anastasia 150 * Tararas Kyriakos 10 * Tarasidou Georgia 30 * Tentas Ioannis 30 * Terzidou Maria 100

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* Tzimokas Demetrios 50 * Toli Maria 40 * Tosounidou Polyxeni 150 * Tourtoura Maria 20 * Trikoupi Marianthi 150 * Tsakiri Kalliope 30 * Tsakiri Chryssoula 30 * Tsantanis Vassilios 20 * Tsekoura Danae 30 * Tsilikis Antonios 30 * Tsina Frideriki 150 * Tsogidou Ifigenia 60 * Fakitsa Victoria 10 * Farfaratzi Ioanna 40 * Floros Christos 50 * Fourlas Efstratios 350 * Fourountzopoulou Triantafyllia 20 * Foti Maria 30 * Haldoupis Apostolos 120 * Halkidis Miltiadis 100 * Charalambidis f.

Gregorios 100 * Hassiotis George 45 * Hatzi Antigoni 30 * Hatziathanasiou Christos 2,000 * Hatzivassiliou Sophia 50 * Hatzigeleki Sophia 30 * Hatzikonstadinou Fotini 10 * Hatzileleka Glykeria 50 * Hatziara Maria 30 * Hatzopoulou Ageliki 30 * Hatzouthis George 20 * Chioktourides Moses 30 * Hissiridou Evangelia 50 * Christian Home 320 * Psarouli Savina 30 * Psaris Ioannis 50.

Container

Vamvaka Katherine 40 * Vouzaksakis Demosthenis 100 * Gika Efrosini 50 * Gika efrosini 50 * Kambouros Asterios 500 * Kaplanis Gregorios 500 * Loukidis Demetrios 300 * Margouti Maria 2,000 * Bachtsevanos Athanasios 1,000 * Benis Demetrios 500 * Xanthopoulou Maria 50 * Orphanos George 200 * Papakonstadinou Athanasios 200 * Raptaki Efrosini 50 * Rokas Apostolos 700 * Schina Maria 500 * Tziaras Athanasios 1,000 * Tziotzios Konstadinos 300 * Tsigaropoulos Evangelos 360

Small Vehicles for the Amputees

Drisou Vassiliki 100 * Zervos Demetrios 150 * Sarantis Eleftherios 150 * Svoronos Vassilios 150 * Hatzopoulou Stamatia (Toula) 100

Christenings

Anonymous 100 * Viniadou Katherine 150 * Georgouli Garyfallia 150 * Georgouli Garyfallia 150 * Gregoriadou Anna-Maria 100 * Kralli Despina 100 * Mygdali Evanthia 200 * Papadopoulou Kalliopi 150 * Paschou Sophia 100 * Petridou Despina 150 * Farsakidou Katherine 200 * Hatzinikolaou Eleni 150

Educational Sponsorship

Anonymous 900 * 2nd Senior High school of Xanthi 200 * Athanasiadis Georgios 300 *

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Athanasiadou Maria 300 * Antoniou Paraschos 300 * Kostraki Olympia 150 * Papadopoulou Stella 50 * Pechlivanidou Maria 50 * Porligi Aphrodite 300 * Soteraki Anastasia 600

Holy Churches

Anonymous 25181.11 * Georgiou Panagiotis 10 * Diolatzis Georgios 8,000 * Diolatzis Demetrios 8,000 * Karambasi Ioanna 70 * Mitsopoulos Efsta- thios 8,000 * Nouka Eleni 50 * Saragiotaki Anna 2,500 * Stylianaki Agnes 2,500 * Stylianaki Athena 2,500 * Stylianakis Antonios 5,000 * Stylianakis Ioannis 5,000 * Trikoupi Maria 1,000 * Chioctourides Konstadinos 150

Clinics

Anonymus 5,010 * Albanides Leonidas 10 * Voulgaris f. Vassilios 6 * Galatsides Abraham 20 * Diatsidou Polyxeni 50 * Holy Church of Ss Kon-stadinos & Eleni , Kitros , 54 * Kaplanidis Evan-gelos 4,000 * Ladies from Kitros 140 * Simoni Stergianni 20 * Simonis Athanasios 10 * Tararas Kyriakos 10

Orphanage

Kletsaris Ioannis 1,000 * Kambadaidakis Ioannis 1,000 * Kekrides Eleftherios 1,000 * Kechanoglou Ioannis 1,000 * Koukrides Ioannis 1,000 * Kostides Alexandros 1,000 * Kottas Christos 1,000 * Nikolaides Ioannis 1,000 * Papakonstadinou Athena 1,000 * Pifkitzis Ioannis 1,000 * Sarafoglou Despina 10,000 * Psarou Ioanna 1,000

Wells

Anonymous 50 * Dananas Dakis 10 * Diatsidou Polyxeni 100 * Konstadinidou Sophia 200 * Kotoulas Christos 1,500 * Liatsas Christos 3,000 * Pechlivanidou Maria 50 * Stamatiadou Smaro 100 * <<Makrygiannis Society>> 1,500 * Triantafyllou George 20 * Fotiadis Panagiotis 30 * Christian Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union 750

Common Meals

Avramides Demetrios 30 *Angelidou Crystallia 120 * Amalidou Kyriaki 50 * Anonymus 925 * Argyropoulou Eleni 40 * Arnaoutoglou Evangelia 100 * Avgerou Maria

20 * Vogiatzis Angelos 300 * Vogiatzis Georgios 20 * Vouyioukli Sophia 5 * Vouyioukli Sophia 5 * Vouyioukli Sophia 5 * Vourthami Anastasia 30 * Wavana Anna 50 * Georgala-Kaimaki Androniki 170 * Georgiou Panagiotis 10 * Gada Despina 30 * Geka Katherine 900 * Dermetzoglou Konstadinos 40 * Eleni 25 * Heliopoulos Konstadinos 30 * Theodorou Christos 30 * Holy Monastery of Pantokrator . Melissochori, 360 * Ioannidou Georgia 20 * Kambouris Stamatis 30 * Karapouloutidou Vassiliki 250 * Katsareli Argyro 30 * Kechagia Evangelia 10 * Kioseoglou Diamantoula 100 * Kotrosi Fani 20 * Koutraki-Papadaki Irene 100 * Koutsachlelis Michael 400 * Krasnides Vassilios 50 * Ladies of the parish of the Holy Church of the Ascension 60 * Konstadinidou Anastasia 20 * Limenidou Maria 5 * Markouli Evangelia 40 * Menteli Chryssoula 20 * Mimikou Fotini 100 * Michaelidou Vassiliki 20 * Babasikos George 200 * Boboti Athena 200 * Brilakis Heracles 40 * Paraschou Efrosini 50 * Pavlou Christina 20 * Rizou Anna 30 * Samara Kyriaki 20 * Saragiotaki Anna 50 * Sideropoulos Vassilios 50 * Sitmalidou Paraskevi 20 * Tzitzifa Kyriaki 20 * Foustana Efterpi 80 * Charalambides Ioannis 100 * Charitonidou Anastasia 50 * Chimona Pandora 10

Schools

Anonymus 100 * Zogakis Panagiotis 1,500

Pharmaceuticals

Anonymous 100 * Karipi Fani 25 * Sianides Eleftherios 30 * Hatzopoulou Stamatia (Toula) 20

In Memory of

Veniopoulos Demetrios 100 in memory of Athanasia Bazina * Gregoriadou AnnaMaria 100 in memory of Elli Antoniadou * Gregoriadou Anna-Maria 50 in memory of Christos Lefkos * Gregoriadou Efthalia 50 in memory of Christos Lefkos * Evangelou Anastasia 100 in memory of Christos Lefkos * Kapetanopoulos Athanasios 100 in memory of Christos Kambouroglou * Klonara Paraskevi 50 in memory of Kosma Diolatzi * Kostademas V. 50 in memory of Nikolaos and Maria Kostademas * Bikou Maria 50 in memory of Demetra Hatzichidiroglou * Patsalidis Alekos 50 in memory of Kosma Diolatzi * Samara Kyriaki 10 in memory of Lefkothea Samara * Skandali Poppy 200 in memory of Leontopoulou Eleni * Florou Virginia 50 in memory of Stergios Sakkos and Pafsanias Koutlemanis * Halvatzoglou Panteleimon 300 in memory of Vassiliki Halvatzoglou

Attributions The pictures on these pages are provided cost-free under Creative Commons Attribution or AttributionNoncommercial licenses by the corresponding copyright holders: 4 Emmanuel Dyan 5 Gerry Popplestone 7 Ofer Deshe 9 & 14 kyle post 19 IICD 20 Anita Ritenour 23 Gidzy @ Flickr 26 Stig Nygaard 28 Alessandro Musicorio 38 Oxfam East Africa 39 Julein Harneis 47 Per Ola Wiberg ~ Powi

A bouquet of thanks for your love from the heart of the starving children 47|