By Romfea.news
The “Ionic Center” of the Metropolitan of Nea Ionia will be an important milestone for the Metropolis and the wider region, said Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece during the blessing ceremony and the foundation stone laying ceremony, while praising the cooperation between the Church and the State. He also wished to tread a path and work according to the needs of vibrant society.
Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia and Philadelphia officiated at the blessing ceremony, which was attended by the Archbishop of Greece, accompanied by Protosyncellus of the Archdiosece, Bishop Symeon of Thespies, Metropolitan Makarios of Anaea, political officials, the Regional Governor, mayors of the Metropolitan area, representatives of local associations and bodies, clerics, and lay people.
In his address, Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia said that the day was a historic moment “for the city and for our local Church founded by refugees, while he described the project as great and ambitious.
He noted that “with the Grace of God and the blessing of St. Georgios of Neapolis we made this magnificent step today! At this historic moment, our vision is to create a site which aims to become a flagship to enhance the magnificence of Asia Minor. It will be a site that combines faith, education, memory, development, offer, dialogue, environment and continuity.”
Then he thanked the donors, the benefactors, and all his associates, while addressing the Archbishop underlining that “you teach us to move forward, set goals, and have a vision for our Church and our Homeland. I am grateful to you. Thank you for everything.”
The Archbishop expressed his gratitude and congratulated all the contributors and associates of this project, while referring to two great works by the Archdiocese of Athens; namely, the Gerontology Center in Dilesi, which will be inaugurated on May 23, and a a green-park in Kolonaki, which will be inaugurated very soon.
