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A Message of Love and Joy from the Children of Patras
In an atmosphere of joy and heartfelt enthusiasm, nearly two thousand children from the Catechetical Schools of the Holy Metropolis of Patras conveyed, on the afternoon of Saturday, November 15, 2025, the message of Christmas to the city and the wider community of Patras with their angelic voices.
In front of the magnificent Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the children chanted and sang, with admirable unity and harmony, hymns and carols of the great Feast, accompanied by the Band of the Municipality of Patras. It was truly a spectacular event that deeply moved the large crowd gathered to celebrate.
This wonderful event of the Youth Department of the Holy Metropolis of Patras was held within the framework of the inauguration of the “Park of Love” of the Holy Church of Saint Andrew, which supports the significant charitable work of the “Bread of Love” initiative of the Metropolis.
The event was presented and excellently coordinated by the Head of Youth of the Holy Metropolis of Patras, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Fr. Eirenaios Sotiropoulos.
During the celebration, the lights of the great Christmas tree were illuminated, and the “Park of Love” was lit for the festive season.
The event concluded with the address of His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, who remarked: “These children are our joy, our hope, our strength, the future of our Church, the golden hope of our Homeland and our society. Let us all work together — parents, the Church, the school, everyone — for these children. They are the most beautiful gift from God.” Addressing the great multitude of children who expressed their enthusiasm in many ways, he added: “Well done, children! You are the best we have. You are the blossoms of the world, our joy, our life, our hope.”
He expressed his gratitude to His Grace Bishop Chrysanthos of Kernitsa, the parents, the catechists, the priests, the Head of Youth Fr. Eirenaios, and especially the Very Reverend Archimandrite Fr. Artemios Argyropoulos, Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis, as well as the clergy and deacons of the Holy Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the staff of the Park of Love, the Municipal Band of Patras, and the multitude who participated in the celebration.
The children offered His Eminence a beautiful photograph from last year’s major youth event, as a gift marking the completion of twenty years of his archpastoral ministry.
Finally, the Metropolitan offered each child a commemorative gift.
