Blog
Certification of Hellenic Missionary Union as a Service Provider
The renewal of the certification of the Legal Entity of Private Law as a Primary Social Care Service Provider of non-profit character was successfully completed in accordance with the ministerial decision No. 105293/2021 (FEK 6091 tB'/22-12-2021). Hellenic Missionary Union remains faithful to the vision and values of its founding members, offering services to vulnerable social groups and putting people at the center of its every action.
For the FEK click here
Back to School!
Our social center for creative engagement has once again opened its doors to welcome the children for the new school year!
For another year our programs will include music, singing, art, educational activities, and supplemental teaching for school students (tutoring) among other things. Our goal is to be there for the children so they can cope with the difficulties they encounter while helping them to love learning!
We wish a happy school year to young and old!
Hope in the Twists and Turns
30-year-old Tonia's life is not easy. But the constant twists and turns have made her a strong woman, who overcame the moments when she wanted to end her life and now, with 5 wonderful children, she can say: "Thank God!".
Tonia arrived in Lesvos from Syria in 2018, a widow, with her 4 children. There she was sexually abused because her rapist told her that if she refused, he would rape her 9-year-old daughter. The harrowing incident left her pregnant. However, within a few months, complications began and she was transferred to Athens, where she soon miscarried. At that stage our Centre "embraced" her and her children, providing practical and medical assistance.
Unfortunately, in June 2020 a new incident shook her life again. Her government subsidy for her house had expired, so she started looking for a new one. In her quest, she went to a house, which was shown by an Arabic-speaking man, and was sexually assaulted. Tonia was raped a second time and became pregnant again. "I want to end my life" was the thought that plagued her mind.
When she recovered from the shock, she began to believe that abortion was the only solution and at that stage together with her we discussed all the options she had. Tonia started to think about adoption, but as time went on, she wasn't sure if she wanted to give the baby up. So, our team stood by her side, listening to her concerns and thoughts with compassion and understanding. We also encouraged her to believe that even through difficulty, something good could happen. Eventually, even as her difficulties increased, her attitude changed, and she began to be full of gratitude and thanksgiving!
A new beginning
As she had not yet found a home, she decided to turn to the United Nations, which organized the relocation of her and her children to Germany within a few days. There she gave birth to a healthy baby girl and sent the following message: "I am very happy and my decision to keep the child I believe was God's will." Although this change was sudden and we were sad that we didn't even have time to say goodbye to her, it is our wish and prayer that a better future awaits her.
Nothing Is by Chance
One of our participants who has taken part in Operation Joshua every year since the beginning and has hardly ever missed a distribution day was unable to come out for a few days this year. His son called him and asked him to go fix his guitar because the strings were broken. So, our volunteer went to a musical instrument store.
A lady was there and started talking about her problems and the financial issues she was facing with her shop. She also mentioned that some people came by and left her these New Testaments. Our volunteer took the opportunity to tell her that she should read them every day and by opening one he showed her that the New Testament has the seal of the Greek Orthodox Church.
They talked for quite some time and because this lady had a heart that was seeking God, our volunteer asked her if she wanted to pray for her life and the problems she was facing. She agreed and as she prayed, she began to cry and told him that she couldn't thank him enough for what he had done.
Press Release "Operation Joshua" 2022
15th "Operation Joshua"
Free distribution of New Testaments in Karditsa and Fthiotida
The non-profit, philanthropic Association "Hellenic Missionary Union" organizes the voluntary program "Operation Joshua", which involves the free distribution of 50,000 New Testaments from 3-9 July in the areas of Karditsa and Fthiotida. The New Testaments are translated into the vernacular language, published by the Hellenic Bible Society and approved by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. For the 15th consecutive year, volunteers of all ages from Greece and abroad will distribute God's Word from door to door, with the ultimate goal of every Greek home receiving the gospel.
The New Testaments have been translated into Modern Greek by University professors P. Vassiliadis, Ioann. P. G. Galitis and Ioann. Their purchase is based exclusively on donations from Greek and philhellenic citizens. To date, over 1.3 million copies have been distributed through 15 years of continuous programs in 7,158 villages and islands, i.e. in 80% of the Greek territory.
HM, based in Athens, has been offering social support since 1981, providing material and moral assistance to people in need.
Wishes for Zoe and Her Son
A few months ago, Zoe* took her young son and they left to live abroad. It was a difficult decision she had to make after exhausting all her efforts to find a job. Besides, there was nothing to keep her in Greece anymore. The father of her child never showed up again.
We took this photo a few days before they left. We said goodbye to them with tears in our eyes and with the hope that things, from now on, will be more favorable for the two of them.
Our Center continues to offer help and hope to any woman who is facing an unexpected pregnancy, is considering an abortion or has had one in the past.
* Name has been changed to protect identity and honor those we serve.
