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The consecration of the opening of a new Center for Aid and Empowerment of Adolescents was performed by the Metropolitan of Veriatranslated

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

On the afternoon of Friday, July 3rd, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Veroia, Naoussa and Campania, Mr. Panteleimon, performed, next to the Old Metropolis of Veroia, the consecration of the opening of the new Center of the Organization "Initiative for Children", whose purpose is to strengthen and support teenagers.

His Holiness then delivered a greeting.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Justice, Mr. Georgios Floridis, as well as the local authorities.

The Metropolitan of Panteleimon praised the long-term contribution of the "Children's Initiative" to the local community and underlined the importance of the new structure for the psychosocial support of teenagers. He referred to the difficulties and dangers that many young people face today, emphasizing the need for timely help, guidance and the essential presence of special people by their side. At the same time, he expressed the hope that the new Center will be an open embrace for every teenager who needs support.

Greeting Your Excellency

It is with great pleasure that we all participate today in the opening of a new Center of the Organization "Initiative for Children", which has been active for almost twenty years in our city and has...

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💬 Comments (21) 🌐 Show original

Dušan Stanković

Thank you Σεβασμιώτατο Παντελεήμονα who was there and spoke so specifically about the difficulties that the children are going through today. The new Center next to the Old Town seems to be exactly what is missing - a real hug with experts next to the children. Кало программе стін «Протобоулія гай то Пайді».

Ana Ciobanu

It's good that the Metropolitan spoke concretely about the dangers to which teenagers are exposed today, not just general words. The center near the old Metropolis seems a suitable place, close to prayer. To help many children.

Μιχάλης Χατζής

I am glad that Metropolitan Panteleimon spoke about the real difficulties of teenagers and did not stick to generalities. The Center next to the Old Metropolis seems ideal, as if it combines help and prayer. I hope it supports many children in need.

Marija Savić

It is good that Metropolitan Παντελεήμων specifically mentioned the difficulties that today's adolescents go through, and not just general words. The center next to the old Metropolis in Βεροία seems like the right place - close to prayer and with professional people. May it help many children who need it.

Dušan Marković

I agree, Dusan. It is very important that the Bishop specifically mentioned those dangers for children today - phones, social networks, pressure at school. When the center is next to the old Metropolis, one feels that the Church is not only at the liturgy, but also where it is most needed. Thank you to "Pρωτοβουλία" for not giving up after so many years.

Katarina Jovanović

I agree, Dusan, it's really good that the center is right next to the old Mitropolia - I pass by often and see children already entering. It is especially important to me that they mention the pressure at school, my cousin finished the eighth grade and barely made it. Does anyone know if they also do group workshops or only individual ones?

Sofija Kostić

I agree, Dusan, it's really nice that the Bishop emphasized that "open agkalja" instead of just nice words. Here in Niš, similar centers often remain on paper, so it is really important that this comes to life. Have you heard if there are already applications from children or are they still waiting?

Danica Radovanović

I agree, Sofia, that "open agkalja" is exactly what many places lack. Here in Podgorica, we had a similar center for young people two years ago, and in the first month they barely had a dozen applications, so everything slowly heated up. Have you heard whether they have already started group meetings in Verija or are they still only individual?

I agree, Katarina, the location is very convenient, children pass by every day. With my granddaughter, it was also very difficult in the eighth grade, the pressure is huge. Do you know if they have already started accepting younger teenagers or only from 15 years old?

Φωτεινή Παναγιωτοπούλου

I agree, Michael, the Metropolitan's reference to the daily difficulties of our children was very specific and useful. The Center next to the Old Metropolis really gives the feeling that support also comes from faith. I hope they catch a lot of kids before they go to extremes.

Παναγιώτης Χατζής

Yes Michael, the location next to the Old Cathedral does give a sense of peace that is missing from the kids today. From what I read, they will have psychologists and social workers everyday, not just in words. How do you think we, the older ones from the neighborhood, can help?

Milan Milošević

Yes, Sofia, you are exactly right - that "open agkalja" is what is remembered the most, not the words. Here in Niš, it's the same, you make a nice announcement and then everything comes down to two or three counselors and empty rooms. Have you heard if that center in Verija is connected to a local school or if they only work by invitation?

Nikola Todorović

I agree, Dusan. It's good that Bishop mentioned these specific things, because in our family we already see how phones steal children's attention after school. I am interested in whether they will also work with parents in the new center, because without them it is difficult to change anything.

Đorđe Petrović

Yes, Sofia, it is very important that it does not remain only on words and paper. In Veria, they have already started conducting individual interviews with the first applications, I heard from an acquaintance from the parish there. And in your place in Niš, did those centers ever manage to connect parents with experts or did it all end with advice?

Vuk Marković

In Niš, we had a similar center a couple of years ago near the parish of St. Panteleimon, where parents actually came for talks with a psychologist, but it only lasted as long as the young expert from Belgrade was there. After his departure, everything is reduced to occasional advice after the Liturgy. As your acquaintance tells you, did they manage to keep people in Verija longer than two or three meetings?

Katarina Nikolić

The same thing happened in Niš, as it often does here - when that one hardworking person leaves, everything is reduced to a minimum. In Verija, as far as I hear from acquaintances, they have kept two permanent psychologists, at least for now, and they work according to the agreement with the schools, so parents and children come more than two or three times. And in your place in Niš, is there a new expert now or did it all come down to those tips after the Liturgy?

Here at St. Panteleimon, it was just like that, a man came, the work started, and when he left - it was empty. In Verija, according to what an acquaintance from the church told me, they managed to keep both psychologists through some cooperation with the municipality, so parents now come regularly. And with you in Niš, did they at least try to find a replacement for that guy from Belgrade or did they give up?

Zoran Živković

Ana Pavlović

Here in Novi Sad, we had a similar problem after the departure of a counselor, but we managed to find a replacement through an agreement with the Red Cross, so now groups for teenagers are held at least twice a week. It is interesting that in Verija they solved it through the municipality - do you know how exactly they contracted it? I'm sorry that we were not so lucky with the municipality, so we had to manage through the Red Cross. It might be worth asking our parish priest if he could help with a similar arrangement with the local authorities.

Bojana Nikolić

Here in Kragujevac, we also had to go through the Red Cross when the counselor retired, so now a young girl from the health center comes twice a month. For Veria, I heard that they contracted it through the city's social service, but exactly how - I don't know. Maybe we should ask our pastor to see if he can schedule a meeting with someone from the municipality, at least to hear what they say.

Stefan Popović

Bojana, here in Belgrade we also relied on the Red Cross until we found cooperation with a psychologist from the health center through the parish. Maybe your parish priest could schedule that meeting with the municipality, so let's see how they did it in Veria - it seems to me a good way to go. What do you think, could the young girl from the health center come more often if the Church gets involved?