The Holy Metropolis of Switzerland, just two years after its establishment by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1982, during the tenure of its first Metropolitan, the late Damaskinos Papandreou, established an organization dedicated to philanthropy under the name “Pastoral and Philanthropic Foundation of the Metropolis of Switzerland of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
As its charter title indicates, the Foundation is directly and canonically dependent on the Metropolis of Switzerland of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
This year, the Foundation celebrates its 40th anniversary since its founding in 1984 with various events. The first event was an art competition for children, held in April 2024, within the Metropolis with the theme “Philanthropy in Pictures.” Children from the catechetical schools of the parishes were invited to participate. The second and main event was the Foundation’s charity gala, which returned in May 2024 after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the evening of Tuesday, October 15, 2024, the third commemorative event took place at the Museum of Christian Art of the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Geneva. In the museum’s initial halls, the children’s artworks from the aforementioned competition were displayed, with special recognition given to the winners. In the main hall, works by the Greek artist Anna Benis were exhibited. This exhibition will be hosted in the space until November 30.
After a brief greeting from Mrs. Dorothea Latsis, President of the Pastoral and Philanthropic Foundation of the Metropolis of Switzerland, Metropolitan Maximos of Switzerland, President of the Board of Directors and Head of the Orthodox Center, took the podium. He spoke about the opportunities for organizing such events in the museum’s spaces, made possible through the generous sponsorship of Dr. S. Latsis. He elaborated on the concept of “philanthropy,” provided a concise historical overview of its practice through the centuries, and placed particular emphasis on the Christian era and the unique understanding of philanthropy it fostered. He further praised the Foundation’s contributions over its forty-year existence, commending those who dedicated themselves to the sacred mission of service and assistance—namely, the members who have served on the Foundation’s Board over the past 40 years or who have helped with its events.
He honored the memory of those members who have passed away, offering prayers for the repose of their souls and expressing hope that they would receive from the Merciful Lord the crown of service for the “least of His brethren,” as promised by Christ Himself. He congratulated the active members who continue to shape the history of the Foundation with unwavering faith in the Merciful Lord Jesus Christ and with devotion to His Church, which entrusted them with the sacred mission of philanthropy, within their means, to those in proven need, as well as supporting the pastoral work of the Metropolis, as indicated by the Foundation’s dual title.
He praised the Foundation’s leadership for their initiative to celebrate this anniversary with events marking forty years of the organization’s life and activities. He especially commended their decision to entrust the children of the catechetical schools with the task of illustrating the concept of philanthropy through art. He congratulated the children who participated in the art competition, offering special praise to the catechetical school of the Parish of St. Demetrios in Zurich, from which the winning artwork came. Finally, he emphasized the significance of hosting the paintings, created by the brush of a devout Orthodox believer, Mrs. Anna Benis, in the museum’s space.
The keynote speaker of the event, Professor Henry Peter from the Faculty of Law of the University of Geneva and Director of the Center for Philanthropy, then took the stage, presenting on the topic, “Philanthropy and the World of Tomorrow.” His engaging presentation drew significant interest from the audience, many of whom posed insightful questions to him. The event concluded with a reception. The language of the event was French.
In attendance were Metropolitan Kyrillos of Krini, Dean of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Orthodox Theology at the Orthodox Center; Mr. Alexandros Gennimatas, Consul General of Greece in Geneva; Archimandrite Fr. Phanourios Tholiotis, Protosyncellus of the Holy Metropolis of Switzerland; Archdeacon Gabriel Baratashvili of the Metropolis; Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; Presidents of community organizations; and figures from the academic and economic circles of Geneva, among others.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
