LAST UPDATE: 17:48
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece referred to the state-of-the-art scientific structures of the new Center for Gerontology and Welfare Support “Agios Porphirios” in an interview given to the Radio Station 89,5 on the occasion of the inauguration of the Center by the Ecumenical Patriarch, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic.
The Archbishop also referred to the benefits of cooperation and the presence of the Patriarch in Athens, which he described as a blessing, as well as to the Church’s finances.
The Archbishop pointed out that this is not a project that can solve the problem in all respects, but “it can become an example”.
He also stressed that “the project costed about 5,000,000 euros; an exorbitant amount that we could never imagine that the Church would be able to pay. Funds from the NSRF, from Europe, were used. Not European money, our own money in Europe that we are entitled to and we can use it to make such projects. State agencies have helped too.”
Regarding the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic and the Ecumenical Patriarch at the inauguration of the project, the Archbishop noted that “in the present circumstances, it is good to have the Ecumenical Patriarch’s blessing, as well as that of the State. Besides, this is a period, when the presence of the Patriarch near the Archdiocese of Athens is needed.”
Asked whether the Church has so much money that could take over Greece’s debt, he replied that “these are fantasies. We are going through a period when, as an Archbishop I am concerned whether the Church of Greece will be able to cope financially after 20 years, and to continue in economic terms its ministry.”