Greek Orthodox Churches Become Makeshift Shelters for Refugees on Lesvos

Source: The Pappas Post

October 31, 2015

    

“Jesus Christ would be proud of what is happening on Lesvos,” Maria Vasilakopoulos told The Pappas Post in a telephone interview. Following a deadly 72 hours that saw thousands of arriving refugees trying to beat the onset of winter weather and dozens drowning, the entire island has mobilized to assist— including numerous churches whose priests have (literally) opened church doors for ailing, wet and cold refugees.

Helen Zahos, another volunteer from Australia who raised $20,000 for supplies and medicine via a crowdfunding campaign shared images with The Pappas Post of what she saw unfolding inside the churches, which became make-shift shelters and hospitals.

“Bunches of sick people inside the churches,” Helen said, adding that “Even the priest was helping and his wife was running back and forth with cups of tea for the wet and cold refugees.”

    

Lesvos experiences more pain and suffering than usual over the past 72 hours with a major accident off its shore taking place when a boat with an estimated 300 refugees capsized.

    

Several people drowned, including children and infants while more than 240 were plucked from the ocean by volunteer lifeguards and the Greek coast guard.

The Pappas Post

2 ноября 2015 г.

Храм Новомученников Церкви Русской. Внести лепту
Комментарии
Nancy DuPree 3 февраля 2016, 20:00
We are 3 women traveling from the US to visit Greece. I thought about maybe coming to Lesvos to help in their struggle, the Syrians as well as the Greeks helping them. I was wondering if this would be a crazy idea or should we play it safe and stay away. We are in our 60's so we could be relegated to making sandwiches or serving tea or other odd jobs that would not require heavy physical labor. If you feel it unsafe, just say the word. I was thinking maybe the church would be able to direct us in whatever was needed. This website was the only one that had a means of letting us know if there would be any use for us. A reply would be great with contacts via email. Thank you for help in this matter. Sincerely, Nancy
Angellos Malefaksi 5 ноября 2015, 08:00
I am sorry, but I dont agree with helping these refugees. Yes, a part of me says to help. However, the fact remains that a lot of Greeks are homeless because of this economy and are living in the streets of Athens. Where is the church? And it is not only Greeks! Spain is going thru the same crisis. The unemployment rate is more than 25% in Greece! The economic crisis in Europe is above 15%! The foreclosure laws in Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the rest of Europe are changing. This is causing a lot of people to loose their homes! And these are not refugees per say. These are economic migrants from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. Also, the majority are men 20-40 years of age. Thus, time to go back and fight your corrupt governments and fight for your home, your town, your city, your country-Assad and ISIS. My dad fought during WWII the Germans. He did not run away. We will like to help you, but in these economic times, we must help our own. Thus, go home! Also, the west did not receive no help for the Westerners that were executed by ISIS. I am confident that many of you know the culprits. Finally, why dont you go to Saudi Arabia or the Gulf States?
Rdr Andreas Moran 2 ноября 2015, 18:00
'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me '
Здесь Вы можете оставить свой комментарий к данной статье. Все комментарии будут прочитаны редакцией портала Православие.Ru.
Войдите через FaceBook ВКонтакте Яндекс Mail.Ru Google или введите свои данные:
Ваше имя:
Ваш email:
Введите число, напечатанное на картинке