South Africa: The Greek Embassy praised the fundamental work of the Diocese of Pretoriatranslated

July 10, 2026 · 1 min read

A meal in honor of the Metropolitan of Ioannina and Pretoria, Mr. Damascenes and the Hellenism of the Gauteng Region was hosted by the Greek Embassy in South Africa. During the event, the Ambassador of Greece, Ms. Ethalia Kakiopoulou had the opportunity to talk with the representatives of the Holy Metropolis, the Federation of Greek Communities of South Africa and the individual Greek communities in the wider Pretoria and Johannesburg area about the issues and needs of the emigrants and the latest developments in South Africa.

At the same time, he praised the fundamental and timeless work of the Holy Metropolis.

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Thomas Johnson

It's good to see the embassy recognising the steady work the Metropolis has done over the years for the Greek families out there. The lunch sounds like a useful chance to talk about real needs in Pretoria and Johannesburg. Well done to Metropolitan Damaskinos.

Timothy King

It's good to hear the embassy highlighting the Metropolis's long-term work like that. Our own parish here in Denver has benefited from similar steady support over the years, especially for families keeping the faith far from home. Did the article mention any specific projects Damaskinos has going in Gauteng?

Тодор Иванов

It is good that the embassy has appreciated the long-term work of the metropolitan in Pretoria and Johannesburg. Especially for the Greeks there who are far away from the homeland - it helps families keep the faith. I wonder if they also talked about helping the local Africans who come to the churches.

Carlos García

I am glad to see that Ambassador Kakiopoulou recognized the constant work of the Pretoria Metropolis, especially for Greek families living far away. The lunch in Gauteng seems to have served to talk about real needs, like those mentioned by Thomas and Timothy. Does anyone know if they touched on the topic of helping local Africans who come to the Church, as Todor asked?

Margaret Collins

It's nice that your Denver parish has had that steady backing too — ours in Chicago leans on similar long-term help from the Metropolis for our youth group. The article didn't list any specific Gauteng projects, just praised the overall work. What kind of support has been most helpful for the families in your parish?

Petro Nako

It is true that the Greek embassy appreciated the long work of the Metropolis of Pretoria for the families there. I liked that they talked about the real needs in Pretoria and Johannesburg, as Thomas and Timothy said. I wonder if they also talked about the help they give to the local African people who come into the church.

Sofia Thanasi

Yes, the embassy did well to appreciate the long work of the Metropolis. I remember when we went to Pretoria last year, there were many Greek families that came regularly. I wonder if the ambassador also asked about fishing in the nearby lake, because some of the African brothers who come to the church have told us that it is a good place to catch fish.

Методи Костов

Well said Todore, it really helps families not to stray so far from the faith. I have also heard that the metropolis regularly organizes food aid for the local Africans who come to the churches - especially around Johannesburg. I wonder if the embassy mentioned this as well, or did they focus mainly on the Greeks?

Петър Димитров

Yes, Metodi, that's right - faith keeps families together, especially when you're 10,000 km from Bulgaria. I have heard the same about Africans, in Johannesburg they regularly give out packets of rice, flour and butter after mass. The embassy probably put more emphasis on the Greeks, but it's good that you mentioned it, because this is a big part of the work of the metropolis.