The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos met today with the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Mr. Hieronymos at the Archdiocese of Athens, where they discussed matters relevant to the cooperation between the Ministry of National Defence and the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) “APOSTOLI” (Mission) of the Church of Greece, in the field of enhancement of the benevolent and social contribution, for the support of sensitive social groups.
The meeting was also attended by the General Director of the NGO “APOSTOLI” Mr. Konstantinos Dimtsas.
After their meeting, Mr. Hieronymos and Mr. Paragiotopoulos made the following statements:
P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: During the difficult times our people and our country are experiencing, we think that it is compulsory that we all draw together, focalising on our institutions and values that have helped Hellenism survive more difficult situations, as they went between the hammer and the anvil through history’s course. The Hellenic Armed Forces traditionally have a very close relationship with the Christian faith.
Few days ago, we celebrated the Day of the Armed Forces, on November 21st, the day of the Presentation of the Theotokos, when we chant the hymn “Unto the Defender General”. Therefore, we consider that the blessings of his Beatitude the Archbishop, the guidance offered by the Church and, mainly, the cooperation between the Armed Forces and the Church of Greece can provide a lot at the level of social protection, protection of our youth, protection of the family, so that – by enhancing social cohesion – we can soothe the suffering and pain of a hard everyday life our fellow citizens experience.
I would like to thank you, your Beatitude, for receiving me today. I would like to thank you personally, as well as Mr. Kostis Dimtsas from the NGO “APOSTOLI” of the Church of Greece, for the fact that we make our cooperation more systematic and methodical, in order to achieve a greater benefit for our fellow citizens who are experiencing hardness in their difficult everyday life.
ARCHBISHOP Mr. HIERONYMOS: I would like to thank Mister Minister for his visit here today at the Archdiocese, as well as for the cooperation we have.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos underlined some very important points, to which I would like to add the following:
During the difficult times we all experience, help does not only come from the area of Church administration, as many might think. It is help offered by all areas of our country. All people come and help, in order for everyone to overcome these difficulties.
Yet, it is a touching and commendable fact that our Army, that is our children, come to us, to help to this common struggle.
This common struggle was represented today at the meeting with mister Minister. We would like to thank everybody, the personnel and the cadres, Mr. Dimtsas who is responsible of the organisation “APOSTOLI”, our People, everyone who joins us during these difficult times, from any place he may be in, and Mister Minister, since the foundations were set for a cooperation that can be made in many ways, which we will examine and materialise. Special thanks to mister Minister.
P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: Thank you your Beatitude; we thank you as well.
