GREETING OF METROPOLITAN

They asked an elderly woman celebrating her hundredth birthday to tell us the most important incident of her life, and she, without a second thought, replied: “How can I tell you since life is not over!”.

For many, the third age is the time when man, having the wisdom of life, can see the world with other eyes, enjoy and give importance to things that young people overlook and who do not yet have the maturity they need to appreciate them. It is no coincidence that in most traditional societies the elderly are considered to be the elders of the community and play an important role in the various issues that arise. There are, of course, those who believe that old age is the enslavement of the soul that wants to live, express, create and that is blocked by the aged body. It is they who argue that the change of social structures led to elderly being marginalised and isolated, as being elderly is considered unproductive, awkward, and not adaptable to any new reality. However, one should not miss out on the fact that the community can take advantage of the elderly in many ways to benefit both. And this happens when the elderly live the present, transferring his valuable experience  through his activities and communication with younger people, and helping young people become better. This is why many young people, as they are confronted with a world full of delusions, are looking for the companionship of the elderly and are constantly asking about whether they are authentic, genuine, true, knowing that they will receive the right answers.

In the years to come, some people claim, along with the invasion of high technology, globalization, international refugee and migratory flows, the crisis of values, there is contained as a dynamic component that the level of culture of modern society will be directly related to a way of dealing with the elderly, which can only be welcomed in a modern favored society of solidarity and humanity. Younger generations need to understand the importance of new data that blends aptly and with the familiar popular saying: “where you were and where I am you will come.”

The younger generations must also understand that the day of human understanding and offering is and must be every moment of life. That the soul never grows old and the most important thing is not to feel abandoned when the time leaves the scars on it and can no longer offer, in some cases, even self-care. That a smile, an embrace, a little love, a conversation about anything is enough to illuminate the moment for an elderly person. That we must feel grateful for the lessons of life given to us by our parents and ancestors. That third age hides a unique charm, beauty and grace that we ought to discover, not to pass by and reject. That third age is the crowning glory, the end of life.

The Annousakeio Foundation, the Sacrament of Our Holy Metropolis, in its fifty-year course and ministry to the elderly, has traveled and continues to walk in this spirit of loving and sacrificial care towards the honored and often forgotten,  aged by pains and bitterness of life, joys and sorrows, but also a fertile and necessary experience. The incitement and prayer of our Church “christian the end of our lives, painless, infallible, peaceful …” guide and lighthouse.

We commemorate and bless, with respect and deep gratitude, our late predecessor, Eminence Metropolitan Eirinaios, who inspired and created this Foundation, as well as the first donor and benefactor, GiorgosAnoussakis, whose name he bears. Gratitude and thanks to the former Directors of the Foundation, first of all the late, reverend, DimitriosSimantirakis, following the late reverend Stylianos Kassapakis, to the present, worthy and competent, Administrative Director, (Medical, Nursing, Administrative, Auxiliary, etc.), for the deposition of their soul in the food ministry and all the servants of the Foundation, as well as all the staff of the Foundation.

We are grateful and thankful to all the famous and anonymous great donors and benefactors, volunteers and hundreds of friends and connoisseurs, as well as all those who offered and continue to offer from the surplus of their love so that this room can keep the candle of hope and joy to the hundreds of needy and passionate brothers and sisters who, on a daily basis, benefit from the Foundation’s multiple structures and actions. As in its present form, Annousakeio is not just a Foundation for the elderly, but a modern Sillaam bay which through its multiple structures and actions, as well as the Programs that operate embraces the wider society, throughout Crete and beyond , offering silently, silently but substantially, primary care services and a unique quality and value, welfare, social and charitable work. Our goal, our anxiety and prayer for the next 50 years is that this area of ​​supply and relief of the ever-increasing needs of our suffering and intimate fellowman continue, smoothly and seamlessly, to make love a reality!

 

Metropolitan of Kissamos and Selino Amphilochios

Chairman of the Board of Directors Annousakeio Therapeutic Centre