Awards for families with many children from the Vatopedi Religious Institute in Alexandroupolis

The Central Association of Parents with Many Children of Evros Prefecture "Christos Sotir", in collaboration with the Holy Metropolis of Alexandroupolis, organized on 31/1/2026, a festive event dedicated to the person of the mother, at the Spiritual Center of the Holy Metropolis of Alexandroupolis. The event was sponsored by the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi and awards were given to excellent students of the Gymnasium-Lyceum and those who passed the Tertiary Education exam during the school year 2024-25, as well as mothers who had their fourth and more children in the year 2025. In her inspiring speech, the President of the Association, Mrs. Agapi Petropoulou, cited the crucial role that the mother plays in the large family, but also the need for her support, which is imperative due to the demographic issue that our country is facing. The Metropolitan of Alexandroupolis, Mr. Anthimos, in his speech, pointed out the difficulties of the modern era within the family, the lack of love and emphasized the important and multifaceted role of the large family and the role of the large mother who brings life into the world. The representative of the Vatopedi Monastery, Hieromonk George, conveyed the wishes and blessings of His Eminence, Abbot Elder Ephraim of Vatopedi, emphasized the need to support large families and, with words of love for the children and their parents, wished that the Most Holy Theotokos would cover large families and strengthen them at every step of their lives. He concluded by emphasizing that we must be courageous and with the grace and blessing of God, difficulties will be overcome. The Mayor of Alexandroupolis, Mr. Ioannis Zampoukis, delivered a greeting, while the Commander of the 12th Division, Major General Pavlos Andrikopoulos, was also present. The event at the Cultural Center was musically accompanied by the children's choir of the Alexandroupolis Youth Center, under the direction of Ms. Triada Tsiakiri.