Greek Orthodox Heed Christ's Calling
Serafina Silaitoga
September 07, 2010
Fiji Times Online
THE Greek Orthodox Church has set aside $0.5 million for projects for the poor and the lonely, as they fulfill Christ's call to love one another.
The church has bought land in the Western Division to build an orphanage and an old people's home.
The church's Archbishop of New Zealand and the Pacific, Archbishop Amphilochios, was in Fiji last week to finalise these plans.
As part of his visit, Archbishop Amphilochios visited church members in the north to finalise plans for a new church building and a piece of land in Labasa.
Archbishop Amphilochios told the Fiji Times the orphanage would be built in Lautoka and the old people's home in Nadi.
"We are fulfilling our mission that Christ gave and that is to go out into the world and preach the good news and baptise everyone in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit," he said.
"The Orthodox church reaches out to the community and helps everyone, especially the poor people who need a home and need to be taken care of."
Archbishop Amphilochios said the project for the two houses would be costly but the church had a responsibility to look after the needy in the community.
"The church came into Fiji four years ago but has been active over the past two years and we are here to stay and help the people of Fiji," he said yesterday.
"Our mission is to help meet people's needs and lead them to know Jesus, which is important of all.
"During my stay here in Fiji, I have met with people who need homes and need to be taken care of and I was touched by that.
"So the church will look into this and open up an orphanage and an old people's home for our loved ones," Archbishop Amphilochios said.
The church has its base at Sabeto in Nadi.