Metropolitan Augustinos of Germany addressed the faithful in a letter, asking for their assistance in the financial support of the Metropolis.
The Metropolitan of Germany initially congratulated the staff of the metropolis who responded to the call of the Church to “stay at home,” out of love for one’s neighbor but also with unprecedented personal sacrifices.
He expressed his joy that the vast majority of Christians in the Greek Diaspora remain healthy, as well as his grief for those who lost the battle with the coronavirus.
He recalled that in his Easter message this year, he asked the flock to stay faithful to the church, which helps people in any way she can and that is why she deserves our help.
“Today, once again, I ask you to help the Church as much as you can. The fact that our temples are closed due to force majeure, is currently depriving our Church from its main resources, and therefore its smooth operation and the unhindered ministry of its people, all of you, is endangered. Our Church in Germany exists thanks to your own donations: thanks to the candle you light in your parish, to the money you put on the collection plate, to your voluntary contributions,” the Metropolitan of Germany said.
The goal today is to increase voluntary contributions. “Each one of you help your parish with a voluntary contribution, no matter how symbolic it is. Talk to your priest and get the special form for the standing order. At the end of each year you can also receive the certificate for the tax deduction from the tax office.”
The Metropolitan of Germany also expressed his belief that “Germany called for industrial workers years ago for a certain period of time and God sent Orthodox Christians to the center of Europe to stay permanently. That is why I dare to address this appeal to you, so that we can all ensure together that our church will exist here as long as these people are here, and that there will be churches for our children and our children’s children and all future generations to be baptized, married, and attend.”
Photography courtesy of orthodoxie.com