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Dimitriados Ignatios: "The greatest gift of parents to children is unity and love"translated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

Yesterday 6/7, Rev. Metropolitan of Dimitrias, Mr. Ignatios, in the presence of the Member of Parliament of Magnesia, Mr. Zetta Makris, a crowd of believers. In his sermon, His Holiness referred to the life of Saint Kyriaki, underlining the decisive role of the Christian family in the formation of her personality. As he pointed out, "the greatest gift that parents can give to their children is their own unity and love. There is no greater gift than parents give to children. And when this is missing, children are deprived of the most precious foundation of their lives." At the same time, he pointed out that the parents of Agia Kyriaki not only offered her their love, but also the priceless gift of faith, as they "instilled in her the love of Christ", leading her from an early age to a personal relationship with the Lord.

Then Rev. Ignatius referred to the total consecration of the Saint to Christ, pointing out that "only such love can bring this result. There are souls who feel that only Christ can fulfill their existence. It is the chosen souls who decide to dedicate their entire…

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Григорий Михайлов

I agree, Father Ignatius said exactly that. The most important thing that parents can give is when they themselves live in peace and love, and not just teach with words. This can be seen in Saint Kyriakiia: her faith came from her parents, and then she decided everything herself. In our family, we also try to ensure that children see, and not just hear.

James Phillips

Yeah, that line about the greatest gift being the parents' own unity and love really hit home. My folks weren't perfect but they stuck together and dragged us to church every Sunday, same as St. Kyriaki's parents passing on real faith instead of just words. Makes you see why she could give everything to Christ later.

Margaret Collins

Yeah, that part about parents giving their own unity and love as the real foundation stuck with me too. My mom and dad weren't flashy about it, but they made sure we saw them praying together at home, not just on Sundays. Did your family have any little habits like that that you still catch yourself doing now?

Thomas Baker

Yeah, that bit about the parents giving their own unity and love as the real foundation rings true. My wife and I aren't perfect but we've always tried to keep things steady at home so the kids see it, not just hear it on Sundays. Makes sense why St Kyriaki's faith took root so deep from the start.

Sophia Campbell

Yeah, exactly — it's not the fancy youth programs or the perfect Sunday school lessons that stick, it's seeing Mom and Dad actually get along and put Christ first at the dinner table. My own kids are at university now, and the times they talk about most are the ordinary evenings when we weren't fighting or distracted. How old are yours, Thomas?

James Bennett

Yeah, that dinner table part really hits home. My two girls are grown and scattered now—one's teaching up in Portland, the other's got a little one in Chicago—but they still mention those plain evenings when we actually listened to each other instead of the TV. How old were yours when they started noticing that stuff?

David Scott

Yeah, that hits home. My folks weren't big on show either, but we'd always light the kandili together before dinner and say a quick prayer – I still do that most nights even living with my roommate now. Did your parents have a favourite saint they kept bringing up with you kids?