There is a great need for non-discriminatory co-operation to confront the problems of the economic crisis, said Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece for the radio station 89.5 on his unannounced visit to the building of soup kitchen run by the Archdiocese at Sophocleous Street this afternoon.
The Archbishop, accompanied by Bishop Symeon of Thespia and Protosyncellus of the Archdiocese, was welcomed by the Protpresbyterian Christos Vlachos and the head of the soup kitchen Eleni Katsouli and chairperson of the City of Athens Homeless Shelter (KYADA).
The Archbishop met the people who daily fight for survival and heard their problems and concerns while distributing dozens of food parcels.
The Archbishop stressed that “we have visited this place of pain and love. There are many people working here dedicating their time and putting efforts to serve these people in need. It is an act of sacrificial offering and we admire them. At the same time, however, there are a lot of people, such as children and adults who are hungry or old people who are suffering. This pain is not diminishing, but it keeps increasing. Once again, there is a great need for non-discriminatory co-operation to confront the problems of the economic crisis and we hope we can do it.”
The action, which takes place in the centre of Athens (Sofokleous & Piraeus street), raises awareness of the citizens and promotes volunteering. This was the vision of the Archbishop since 2009. The distribution of food is done twice a day in cooperation with the Municipality of Athens and the rations offered daily are thousands.