Information about the mission in a camp of Giannitsa

Under the blessings and the spiritual guidance of Mons. Under the spiritual blessings of the Bishop of Edessa, Pelles and Almopia, Mr. Joel, in the Metropolis of Edessa, every year there are youth camps (boys and girls) of various ages, under the responsibility of virtuous and pious clergy and laity of the Metropolis. The Archdiocesan District of Giannitsa has a long tradition of running camps in a privately owned area of the I. Metropolis of Edessa. One of them is the camp of “Agia Paraskevi” in Eleftherochori of Giannitsa. This year it has been open for several periods and for different ages of children. The camps are a continuation of the catechetical work carried out by parishes and Christian associations during the winter period and are a proof and seal of the spiritual and catechetical work. In one of the camping periods, namely for the high school girls, the person in charge was the reverend and head of the church of St. George of Giannitsa, the

π. John Spyridis with his elder. This year he chose as a theme and object of study and spiritual work for the children “EXTERNAL PRIESTHOOD”. All the groups did various projects and highlighted the work of the Orthodox Mission that is currently being carried out in various countries around the world. The children with great enthusiasm collected material and presented their work. Their songs and the groups’ hymns were inspired by Orthodoxy and the Mission . We were invited and attended by the President of the Brotherhood Mr. Vaios Prantzos and the regular member of the Brotherhood Mr. Konstantinos Christomanos to speak . We went with great pleasure.

It was Sunday 26/7/2009, the day of the Apostle and Great Martyr Agia Paraskevi. We presented to the children the work being done in Africa and elsewhere, the blessings and the difficulties. The children showed great interest.

The seed fell in their pure hearts. We hope that it will bear fruit and give fruits of piety, gratitude, love and giving to our poor brothers and sisters. God bless them. We extend our grateful feelings and congratulations to Fr. John and to all the associates, leader, deputy leader and team leaders of the camp and our respects to the Rev. Joel with the humble wish that God gives him strength and longevity to continue his very worthy pastoral and missionary work as a prelate and pastor to the flock that God has entrusted to him.