Vatopaidi Monastery supports the Archdiocese soup kitchens

The Abbot of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopaidi, Archimandrite Ephraim has expressed his readiness to support the charity work of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens and especially its soup kitchens. This was relayed to His Eminence, Archbishop Ieronymos.

The demand for food from people who live on the poverty line has increased in just a few weeks from 1500 to 1800 packets a day. An increase of 25% is also seen in the numbers of the daily servings of cooked food offered in the soup kitchens, which rose to more than ten thousand a day.

At the same time new institutions are being set up to help the young, the elderly and the homeless.

The Archbishop thanked the monastery for its good intentions and its decision to help those in need. He added that the financial ability of the Archdiocese has come under severe strain and any assistance offered becomes an incentive for it to continue its charitable mission.

‘During these crucial times, said the Head of the Greek Church, ‘we need more than ever the mobilization of people, as well as national unity and a clear cooperation since we serve under a common cause’.

For his part Abbot Ephraim stressed that ‘ the financial crisis which Greece is facing, is forcing the monastery to stand by the suffering people and assist with all available means those who are facing or are about to face unemployment, poverty and tight budgets’. ‘It is our decision to assist the huge and multifaceted charitable mission of the Archdiocese’, he said.

Abbot Ephraim explained that the financial support will come from a charitable foundation which is being set up by influential people from Greece and abroad who are currently assisting the monastery and its mission, while an amount from the monies collected from Russia during the tour with the Holy Belt will also be given.