A Day of Blessings Beyond Belief

Feb 06, 2009 by Fr Luke Palumbis

Today was a day that I will always remember!  Yes, this morning I visited the iconographer who wrote the hand-painted icon which will grace the interior lid of the relic box, housing the relic of Saint Basil the Great, which can be seen in our photos section.  Yes, this morning I visited the wood-carver who is hand carving the wooden relic box that will house the Holy Relic, which also can be seen in the photos section.  Yes, I purchased new Ecclesiastical items for the Holy Altar from a Master Silversmith, again, which may be seen in the photos section. However, one of the greatest blessings I have experienced came this evening in the poorest, most destitute, crime-ridden area of Thessaloniki!

I answered an invitation to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Nektarios, which is located in an environment fueled by crime and fear.  The major industries are drug sales and prostitution, amongst a population made up of 80% Gypsies / Tsiganwn.  This area is so feared that the police do not enter on a regular basis, and heroin sales are in the 100s each day!  A very special priest, Father Athinagoras, was assigned to this community about 4 years ago, and miracles are taking place through his love!

Father Athinagoras has begun a program at Saint Nektarios serving the children of this area.  These unfortunate children grow up in homes that are beyond my worst nightmares.  One child I met today, 12 years old, has a father in prison, and a heroin addicted mother who decided to abandon her children a year ago!  Did I mention that he is one of 12 children?  This story is common in this area, where kids do not go to school, mainly because their parents will not take them. Glory to God - things are changing!

The program Father Athinagoras has begun serves these children in multiple facets.  He walks the neighborhoods in the morning and wakes up the children to bring them to the Church.  Throughout the day the children are fed multiple meals, receive schooling in subjects from Religious Education - Mathematics - Languages - etc… The children also learn Byzantine Music!  The program lasts throughout the day, and serves a consistent 60 children daily.  The program is housed in a once unfinished basement, which has now been transformed into three classrooms and a kitchen.

Each Friday evening the children, together with whomever else wishes, gather at the Church for the Divine Liturgy.  As I drove into the area with Father Athinagoras, the children, ranging in age from 6 - 20, would call out his name and run after his car!  A look of joy, relief, and hope came to their faces as they ran behind the car and chased their priest—perhaps the only person in life who has given them a chance. Upon arrival to the Church, the children would sound the alarm and announce throughout the neighborhoods that Father Athinagoras had arrived and Liturgy would soon start.  As we began the service, over 30 Tsiganikia gathered into the altar, served as altar boys and chanted the service!  The love and respect these children showed to Father Athinagoras proved that he is not only their Spiritual Father, but he is also a Daddy to them all!

Whereas before the police would ‘shake down the area’ once a month, now they call Father Athinagoras and ask him to speak to the people!  Now, there are dozens of children who have hope where there was once only despair.  Today, I was able to truly witness the Lord’s work in ‘the Liturgy outside of the Liturgy!’

Yet as I was filled with such awe and joy after serving with Father Athinagoras, I walked outside of the Church and saw multiple drug dealers lining the streets across from the Church. They were attempting to call the children over after they just served and received the Lord’s Supper!  I was forced to remember the words of Father Iosaf from the Megalo Meteora Monastery—HOPE & COURAGE!

In the video section of our website, you may watch a new feature that was produced by a national news network in Greece, documenting the ministry of Father Athinagoras with the Tsiganwn! Please pray for Father Athinagoras, and all those whom he serves, as they are our brother-and-sisters-in-Christ!

Again, I remain humbled and thankful.

God Bless,
+Fr Luke