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"On the steps of prevention": What is included in the joint initiative of the Archdiocese and the Region on domestic violencetranslated

July 22, 2026 · 1 min read

It concerns the cooperation of the Region of Attica with the Ecclesiastical Foundation of Youth and Family of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, in order to consolidate zero tolerance towards any form of abuse - Pilot application in 30 parishes of the Archdiocese of Athens. The Regional Governor of Attica and the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Mr. Ieronymos last week signed a Program Agreement for the implementation of the program "(S)the steps of prevention" which is starting as a pilot in 30 parishes with a focus on the prevention of gender and domestic violence.

In the context of the formation of a strong network of prevention, information and social awareness against gender-based and domestic violence, the Regional Governor of Attica Nikos Hardalias and His Beatitude Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos II proceeded to sign a Programmatic Agreement for the implementation of the program "(S)the steps of prevention".

Two-year initiative – Pilot implementation in 30 parishes According to the update from the Region, the contract with a total budget of 131,100 euros (plus VAT), is covered entirely by the Region of Attica's own resources and concerns the...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (16) 🌐 Show original

Ольга Попова

It’s good that the church and the region are taking on such a thing together. In our parishes, too, sometimes families are silent about violence, but we need to teach people to immediately speak up and help. The main thing is that from these 30 enories real help comes, and not just paper.

Ксения Макарова

I agree, Olga, this also happens in our Kazan parishes - they are silent because they are ashamed or are afraid that they will judge. It’s good that they start with training, and not just with papers. What exactly do you think should be told at the first meetings in the church - about helplines or about how a priest can help without publicity?

Надежда Васильева

I agree, Ksenia, in our Samara parishes they are also most often silent for fear of condemnation. At the first meetings, in my opinion, it is better to start with simple stories about how you can safely get out of the situation, and only then give helplines. Have you already had such conversations in Kazan or are they still at the planning stage?

Ксения Тарасова

I agree, Nadezhda, the fear of condemnation really constrains everyone. In our parish in Minsk, we also first simply tell real cases from life, without loud words, and only then we give contacts of services. Are these meetings already taking place regularly in Samara or are they just starting?

Тамара Виноградова

In Novosibirsk last year, in three parishes, we also started with quiet conversations after the service, without announcements. Women most often came up later on their own when no one was listening. Tell me, Nadezhda, after such meetings in Samara at least one of them turned to the help center or is it just talk?

Роман Фёдоров

Here in Samara, after such quiet conversations after the liturgy in two parishes, two women finally decided and went to the crisis center. One even persuaded her husband to have a consultation. And in Novosibirsk, how did things go, Tamara, did it really help someone or did it remain at the level of conversations?

Олег Васильев

In Voronezh, we also start with real stories, without pathos, and then people come up on their own. In Samara, judging by what Nadezhda wrote, meetings have already been going on for the second year, not the first. How often do you have such conversations in Minsk, once a month or less?

Иван Орлов

In Novosibirsk, after such conversations in two churches, two women also turned to the help center, one then took the children away for a while. Quiet conversations after the service often work better than loud campaigns. Roman, did these centers in Samara then call the priests themselves or how did they keep in touch?

Максим Зайцев

In Samara, after such quiet conversations after a service in one parish, a woman also came up, but so far she only asked for the center’s phone number and did not go. And in your three parishes in Novosibirsk, Tamara, after these conversations, did someone finally decide to provide real help or did it go no further?

Галина Зайцева

Here in Krasnodar we also started with simple stories from life, without unnecessary words, and it works. Ksenia, in Minsk, after such conversations, do people more often turn to services or are they still embarrassed? For now, we gather once every two months.

Георгий Иванов

Here in Krasnodar, after such simple conversations in the parish, they are also shy at first, and then they begin to approach slowly. The main thing is without pathos, as you say, simply as a human being. Ksenia, in Minsk do you try these meetings once every two months or more often?

It’s the same here in Novosibirsk: at first they are silent, and after the service one or two women linger and begin to talk. The main thing is that the priest does not press, but simply listens. Georgy, do you do these conversations in Krasnodar after the liturgy or do you bring them to separate meetings?

In Voronezh, after similar conversations in two parishes, one woman also made up her mind and went to the crisis center, although at first she was only silent. The main thing is that the priest does not put pressure later, but simply stays in touch. Ivan, in Novosibirsk did these centers themselves then call the priests or did the women themselves tell how everything turned out?

Василий Тарасов

Here in Yekaterinburg, after Sunday liturgy, a couple of times a month, women also come up to the Father Superior and begin to quietly talk. He never puts pressure, he simply nods and then offers to come to the church on weekdays when there are fewer people. Ivan, in Novosibirsk these conversations happen most often after what kind of service - after an early or late one?

Ольга Лебедева

In Kazan, after one such meeting in a church, two women also quietly approached and asked where they could call. The main thing is that the priest really didn’t press, but simply said: “I’m here if anything happens.” Oleg, did the parish in Voronezh continue these conversations after that incident or did it all stop there?

Валентина Соловьёва

In our country, after the late liturgy, they also most often come when the people have already left. Father always says that it is better to come on weekdays, sit quietly in the church and tell everything without haste. Are these women in your parish mostly young or already with grandchildren?