The Social Work of the Church of Greece: Love of God Passes Inexorably Through Love of Neighbor

by | Oct 25, 2024 | Religion

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“Blessed are those who show mercy and compassion to their fellow man, those who share in the suffering of their neighbor. It is they who will be shown mercy by God Himself. Love of God passes inexorably through love of neighbor. There is no other way,” said Jesus Christ in the fifth of the eight Beatitudes, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.

The mission of the Church is, among other things, to care for people, to support them in difficult times, and to not abandon them in the “sea” of their problems. Love for one’s neighbor must be expressed in deeds and not limited to mere sympathy.

The Orthodox Church of Greece, despite the challenges it faces, stands by those in need and helps as much as possible. Through a series of social actions, it strives to alleviate the suffering of the poor and helpless, sending a message of solidarity—especially in these challenging economic times.

Here are some of the Church’s most significant initiatives:

Firstly, many parishes provide daily hot meals, the so-called “love meals,” to thousands of people in need throughout Greece, many of whom have been affected by the prolonged economic crisis. The food is prepared and distributed by volunteers, under the supervision of priests, in special packages. Funding for these meals comes not only from the Church but also from sponsors, individuals, or companies.

The Church also provides shelter for those without a home or for mothers and their children who have been abused or cannot afford rent. A typical example is an unemployed 35-year-old lawyer with an 8-year-old son, abandoned by her husband and left homeless. “In desperation, I went to a church in Athens and asked the priests for help because I had been laid off and had nowhere to stay with my child,” she told NeaProini. “The Church’s support was crucial. They rented a small apartment for me and provided school supplies for my son—things I could not afford. Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without the Church’s help,” she added.

Additionally, the Church supports students who cannot afford to study or to live in the towns where their universities or polytechnics are located. Without this assistance, the future of these students would be uncertain.

The Church also extends similar support to needy senior citizens, maintaining its own nursing homes, some of which are housed in buildings donated by believers. The elderly are provided with full board and medical care, often provided by volunteer doctors.

Most parishes also organize clothing drives, collecting and distributing donated clothing to needy families.

All of these initiatives undoubtedly alleviate the suffering of those in need, bringing to life the words of Jesus Christ: “Love of God passes without fail through love of neighbor.” When we all care for our neighbor, we come closer to living out the fifth Beatitude of our Lord.

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