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The ministry of love in the midst of summer in the Akrites of Thracetranslated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

The Philanthropic Organization "APOSTOLI" of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, "EUROBANK", the supermarket "MASOUTIS" and the Society for the Social Offering of Greek Shipbuilding "SYNENOSIS" continue to consistently show their interest and support for the poor people of Thrace, with various activities and always in cooperation with the local Holy Metropolises. Especially, on Monday, July 6, in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Didymoteichos, Orestiados and Souflios Mr. Damascenes;

1. With the kind sponsorship of the "MASOUTIS" supermarket, 150 parcels of food aid were distributed to vulnerable families.

2. Also, with the kind sponsorship of the Greek Shipbuilding Society "SYNENOSIS", another 50 aid parcels were distributed to large and single-parent families and elderly people.

3. Finally, in the framework of strengthening the Greek family, the "APOSTOLI" charity organization with the kind sponsorship of "EUROBANK", supporting in practice the life that is born in the critical regions of our homeland, delivered to 26 beneficiary parents with newborn babies and to pregnant women, baby items with all the necessary first aid items...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (18) 🌐 Show original

Rachel Moore

Good to see the packages actually reaching the families in Didymoteicho and Orestiada. The baby supplies for the 26 new mums sound especially practical – those first weeks are tough enough without extra worry. Nice that the local bishop was there too.

Anna Nowak

It is good that these parcels go specifically to families in Didymoteicho and Orestiada, and not only on paper. These 26 sets for newborns and pregnant mothers are something really necessary - the first weeks with a baby are hard anyway. It's nice that Bishop Damaskinos was there and saw it with his own eyes.

Krzysztof Kowalski

I'm glad you noticed these 26 kits for newborns, because in small towns like Orestias or Didymoteicho, any help in the first weeks really makes a difference. Bishop Damaskinos actually came in person, saw who answered and who he talked to - it was not just an official visit. How do you know this area?

Natalia Wiśniewska

I'm glad you noticed these 26 newborn packages - in Orestiada, each diaper and bottle actually counts twice. Bishop Damaskinos always comes personally, I remember how last year in Soufli he talked to every grandmother in the queue. And I know these places because my husband and I have been going there for years for holidays to visit friends from the parish in Didymoteicho.

Mark Johnson

Those 150 food packages from Masoutis and the extra 50 from Synenosis will make a real difference in the summer heat around Orestiada and Soufli. The 26 baby kits for the new mothers are the kind of practical help that actually gets used right away. Good to see Metropolitan Damaskinos there in person, the same way he always shows up.

Ксения Беляева

It’s good that these 26 sets for newborns and pregnant women reached places like Orestiada and Sufli - where every bottle and diaper counts in the heat. It’s nice that Metropolitan Damascus was there in person and saw who it was being handed over to. In Rostov, too, “Apostles” sometimes bring something similar, but this is especially important in border villages.

Софья Семёнова

It’s good that these 26 sets for newborns and pregnant women reached Orestiada and Soufli - in the heat, every bottle and diaper is worth its weight in gold. Metropolitan Damascus came in person, as always, and saw who it was being distributed to, this is important. In New York, “Apostles” also sometimes bring this, but there is still no border there.

James Morris

Yeah, those baby kits especially hit home – my cousin in the north just had her second one and said the nappies and formula were a lifesaver straight away. Good on Metropolitan Damaskinos for turning up like he always does; it means more than the stuff itself to those families.

Elena García

I am happy to see that these 26 kits for babies and pregnant women arrived right at Didimoteico and Orestiadas, where the summer heat really hits. The 150 Masoutis pantries and the 50 Synenosis pantries are also good for large families and single grandparents. Bishop Damaskinos always appears in person, it shows.

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

It's good that the 26 sets for newborns went to pregnant and new mothers there, because in the summer in Thrace the heat makes the first evenings with a baby even more difficult. I'm glad Damascene was present and saw it firsthand. ASTOLI with Eurobank have been doing this for years now, it's not just for the lights.

Samuel Anderson

Yeah, those baby kits sound like they hit the spot right when new parents need them most. Good they included the local bishop too – shows it's not just aid but tied to the Church there. Did you see how many families got the food packages combined?

Mark Phillips

Yeah, those baby supplies are the kind of thing that really eases the load in those first exhausting weeks. The bishop being there in Didymoteicho made it feel more like a proper community hand-over, not just a drop-off. I wonder if they’ll do another run before the summer heat really kicks in up there.

Marek Szymański

I agree, these sets for newborns are not empty gestures - I remember how, in July, with my first child, I could barely cope with the heat and the lack of everything at hand. It's good that Masoutis and SYNENOSIS contributed to food for large children and single people, because in such border villages every bag of pasta and oil really helps. And Bishop Damaskinos always comes and listens to people, not only poses for photos.

Александр Киселёв

I agree, in this heat, every bottle is really worth its weight in gold. It’s good that Metropolitan Damascus himself came and saw everything with his own eyes - this adds trust. Do you often receive such sets in Rostov or only on holidays?

Светлана Киселёва

Yes, in such heat in Orestiada and Soufli, these sets are truly a godsend - especially diapers and bottles, which quickly run out. Metropolitan Damascene always does this, he personally comes and makes sure that help reaches the address. In New York, do “Apostles” often bring such things to families with many children or pregnant women on the verge of pregnancy?

Михаил Виноградов

It’s good that such things are delivered to the borderlands, where every little thing really helps. Here in Voronezh they also sometimes bring them from Apostoli, but in the heat you can especially see how quickly everything is taken apart. In Rostov, are these kits usually distributed through the church or directly to families?

Анастасия Волкова

Yes, in such heat in the border areas, every little thing really helps, especially when the metropolitan himself controls everything. Here in Kazan, too, “Apostle” sometimes helps those with many children, but without such a personal presence of the bishop. Is it often in New York that these kits are delivered specifically to pregnant women and with newborns, or are they more general grocery kits?

Елена Белова

Yes, in such heat, water and food really run out quickly, especially for those who are far from stores. Metropolitan Damascus often comes, not only on holidays. What about you in Rostov? Does the church help large families in the summer or mainly in the winter?