Chișinău, February 10, 2025
Beneficiaries of the social ministry of the Metropolis of Chișinău. Photo: mitropolia.md
The Orthodox Church has long been recognized for its deep commitment to social ministry and charitable works, viewing them as essential expressions of Christian faith in action. Two recent events from different corners of the Orthodox world exemplify this ongoing dedication to serving those in need.
In Moldova’s capital Chișinău and the Greek city of Veria, local Orthodox communities have demonstrated this tradition through significant charitable initiatives—one celebrating years of sustained social work, and the other honoring those who nurture large families.
Moldova
The Moldovan Orthodox Church’s Metropolis of Chișinău held a series of charitable events recently in honor of the 5th anniversary of the social-missionary center named for the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon of the Mother of God.
The center was founded in early 2020 with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir. Over the past 5 years, it has run numerous events and projects in support of people from socially vulnerable families, lonely elderly, homeless persons, and large families, and in support of the harmonious development of children and young people from these environments and their reintegration into society, reports the Moldovan Orthodox Church.
In honor of the anniversary, the 
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“>Venerable Confessor Sofian of Antim volunteer group visited a village parish with gifts for the local faithful: clothes, footwear, blankets, notebooks for students, spiritual literature, food packages for 20 disadvantaged families, and other goods.
Two partner social institutions also received several boxes of clothing, footwear, dishes, pharmaceutical products for the sick, children’s toys, furniture and other gifts, intended both for their activity and for socially vulnerable families in need of material support.
Another initiative included the donation of furniture of other goods for the Nativity of the Mother of God Convent in Răciula.
Hieromonk Macarie Crudu, head of the Synodal Social Assistance-Charity Department, spoke about the spiritual value of helping others:
In this life, the surest means of entering into communion with God, the unfailing and instantaneous means, is doing good, helping our neighbor in trouble, which also represents the beginning of all goodness. St. John Chrysostom beautifully defines this great and chosen work of philanthropy or love of people, which is born from prayer: “Charity is the mother of love, of the love that characterizes Christianity, which is greater than all signs and miracles, and through which disciples resemble Christ.” No purer thanksgiving can be brought to God than mercy or the virtue of charity.
We are called by God in these difficult times to alleviate poverty, heal suffering, extend a helping hand to those who have fallen, feed the hungry, care for and heal the wounds of the poor. By doing these things we receive medicine for our sins, clean the dirt from our souls and adorn them, ascending to Heaven.
Greece
Honoring mothers of many children in Greece. Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
On Sunday afternoon, February 9, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Veria held an event honoring mothers of large families.
The diocese traditionally combines the feast of the Presentation of the Lord with the celebration of mothers and families. Vatopedi Monastery was represented by Hieromonk George, who conveyed greetings from Abbot Elder Ephraim and spoke about the important and necessary role that large families play for the Greek homeland, and Monk Barnabas.
The event featured performances by several children’s and school choirs.
At the end, His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon honored five mothers of large families, offering them financial assistance and a holy icon, wishing that the Most Holy Theotokos would bless, protect, and preserve their large families, while the representatives of Vatopedi honored 30 mothers of large families who were offered financial assistance.
Reflecting on the labor of motherhood, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria said:
If the contribution of a mother who raises a child and offers society a good person, a faithful Christian, deserves our gratitude and appreciation—because the future of both our homeland and our Church rests on every righteous person and every true Christian—then we owe boundless gratitude to the mother of many children. For she’s the one who struggles and works tirelessly for many years, who never exhausts herself in offering her love, her attention, and her prayers, to help her children, to respond to all their needs, so they may grow up in a healthy and Christian environment and take with them as provisions for their life not only the knowledge and education they need but also education in Christ, so they may have principles and values in accordance with our tradition, so they may be in the Church and draw strength from God’s grace, enabling them to move forward and progress in their lives. This contribution of the mother of many children undoubtedly deserves our deepest gratitude and honor.
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