A message in every direction, to the clergy and laymen of the Metropolis of Peristeri, was sent this morning by Metropolitan Klimis.
From the celebrating church of Saint Anargyroi (Holy Unmercenaries) in Peristeri, Metropolitan Klimis emphasized the need for the entire congregation to avoid the love of money and become unmercenary.
“Who are we to get our hands on silver coins? Who are we to ask for money for marriage or baptism? We are servants of God,” he emphasized, stating how the Metropolis of Peristeri has turned over a new leaf now.
He pointed out that every believer is free to put in the collection box as much as he/she wants and can afford. “When a Christian wants to give an excessive amount for the rest of the soul of a beloved person, then yes, this amount is blessed. These offers are the so-called ‘filotima’ that were, and still are, given by Christians, since the Turkish occupation, out of love and respect for the good priest,” and he emphasize that “That’s how we work. With the filotima of the Christians. Without costing the Mysteries. Filotima are neither imposed nor costed.”