The Holy Archdiocese of America has established a Fire Relief Fund to support regions in Greece devastated by recent wildfires. On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, a delegation from the Archdiocese visited the Holy Monastery of Penteli and the Inter-Orthodox Center of the Church of Greece to assess the damage and identify immediate needs in the affected areas.
The delegation included Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod; Elaine Allen, Treasurer of the Archdiocese; and Philoptochos First Vice President Anita Kartalopoulos. Their visit began with a tour of the wildfire-stricken areas of Penteli, where they were briefed by Lieutenant Nikolaos Liakos, Supervisor of the Penteli volunteer fire brigade, and Spyridon Panagiotou, a representative of the volunteers, about the challenges faced in battling the fires.
Following their tour, the delegation visited the Holy Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Penteli. There, they met with Metropolitan Ioannis of Thermopylae, the Abbot of the monastery and Director of the Inter-Orthodox Center. During the meeting, Metropolitan Ioannis expressed gratitude to the delegation and Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for their support. He also commended the bravery and dedication of the firefighters and volunteers who fought the blaze.
The Holy Archdiocese of America’s efforts reflect a deep commitment to aiding those affected by the wildfires and recognizing the crucial role played by local heroes in these challenging times.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
