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The Metropolitan of Sweden at the charity concert "When Hope Becomes Music"translated

July 10, 2026 · 1 min read

His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia attended the charity concert "When Hope Becomes Music" as a representative of His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Mgr. Bartholomew. The concert took place on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in the forecourt of the Thessaloniki City Hall.

The concert was organized by the M.A.Z.I. Association - "With Solidarity We Live Equally" - with the participation of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Greece (SONE), for the benefit of the Pediatric Oncology Department of the AHEPA University General Hospital.

The overwhelming public response resulted in every available seat being filled, confirming that when culture and social outreach come together, they can mobilize the wider community and turn compassion and solidarity into tangible support for children facing illness and their families.

In his remarks, His Eminence conveyed the Ecumenical Patriarch's paternal love, warm congratulations, heartfelt wishes and blessings to the organizers, musicians, performers and all present.

He emphasized that the presence of the Mother Church in this charitable...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (13) 🌐 Show original

Христина Панченко

Thank you for such a warm event at AHEPA. It is nice that the youth symphony orchestra played for the children from oncology, and Metropolitan Cleopas conveyed the blessing from the Patriarch himself. I hope that a considerable amount was collected so that the department would have enough for medicine.

Пётр Богданов

It’s good that the concert took place right at the city hall in Thessaloniki, and the youth orchestra played for the children’s oncology department in AKHEPA. Metropolitan Kleopas conveyed a blessing from the Patriarch himself - this is important. I hope that the money actually reached the medicines and was not smeared on papers.

Алексей Семёнов

It’s good that the concert was held right next to the city hall in Thessaloniki, and not in some hall. A youth orchestra for the children's oncology department in AKHEPA is a necessary thing, where every ruble on medicines counts. Metropolitan Kleopas conveyed the blessing from Patriarch Bartholomew, this is right, let him help the children.

Тамара Семёнова

It’s good that the concert was held right at the city hall in Thessaloniki, and not in the hall. The youth orchestra for children's oncology in AKHEPA is on point, every penny is spent on medicines. Metropolitan Kleopas conveyed a blessing from the Patriarch, let him help the children.

Margaret Collins

It’s good they held it right outside Thessaloniki City Hall so more folks could just show up. The youth symphony playing for the pediatric oncology ward at AHEPA sounds like it really lifted spirits, and having Metropolitan Kleopas there passing on the Patriarch’s blessing makes it even more meaningful. Hope every euro raised actually reaches those kids and their families.

Andreas Becker

It was nice that the concert took place directly in front of the town hall in Thessaloniki and that the young symphony orchestra played for pediatric oncology in AHEPA. Metropolitan Cleopas personally delivered the blessing from Patriarch Bartholomew - that makes me particularly happy. Hopefully enough has been raised so that the ward can actually buy new medication.

Rebecca Parker

The concert right outside Thessaloniki City Hall with the youth symphony sounds like it drew a proper crowd. Good to see Metropolitan Kleopas there passing on the Patriarch's blessing for the paediatric oncology ward at AHEPA – those kids and their families really need every bit of support. Hope the funds went straight to the medicines.

Ewa Kaczmarek

It's good that the concert was on the square in front of the Thessaloniki City Hall, and not in a closed hall - more people could have come. The youth orchestra playing for children in oncology at AHEPA is a real help, and the presence of Metropolitan Cleopas with the blessing of Patriarch Bartholomew shows that the Church is really committed to such matters. I hope they raised a lot for the medicines.

Екатерина Макарова

It’s good that the concert was held right at the city hall in Thessaloniki - people gathered easily. The youth orchestra for children's oncology in AKHEPA is a matter of business, every ruble there goes towards medicines. Metropolitan Kleopas conveyed the blessing from Patriarch Bartholomew, let him really help the children and parents.

Ελένη Οικονόμου

It's good that it took place in the forecourt of the City Hall, a lot of people gathered and SONE played for the Pediatric Oncology Department of AHEPA. Metropolitan Cleopas conveyed the blessing of the Patriarch, this gives courage to parents and children. I hope the money went straight to medicine.

Gregory Morris

Good to see the youth symphony playing right outside Thessaloniki City Hall for the kids at AHEPA's pediatric oncology ward. Metropolitan Kleopas bringing the Patriarch's blessing adds real weight to it. Hope every euro raised went straight to the meds those families need.

Ελένη Χατζή

Yes, Eleni, the forecourt of the City Hall was ideal, so many people gathered that you couldn't even find a chair. I'm glad that SONE played for AHEPA's Pediatric Oncology, I know from my neighbor who took her child there how much such income helps with medicines and equipment. I also hope they didn't go to bureaucracies.

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

Yes Eleni, the courtyard was indeed full from the first moment, no one else could fit. From my work at the hospital, I see how much this money counts for AHEPA's Pediatric Oncology Department, especially for drugs that are expensive. I really hope everything went where it should and not on paper.