His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatius of Demetrias gives an interview to TAXYDROMOS about all the current affairs, pointing out that the universal community can give solutions to the refugee crisis. Moreover, he analyses  the multifaceted social work of  the local Church and the initiatives being taken on the occasion of the informative campaign of the movement in which he chairs named:«We consume what we produce» so that the local products are promoted. Focusing on the local and international issues, he stresses that the recent visit of the three religious leaders in Lesbos is of great importance since it sends messages of peace to all over the world. As for the refugee crisis, the Head of our local Church points out that obviously it cannot be solved only by Greece but by the whole community. He also underlines that the people in our area and the Greek people in general have embraced the refugees showing solidarity, while he refers to the integrating role of the Church. Asked about the investment in Nies, Mr Ignatius expressed the belief that the objective will be met in the future, aiming to create job positions and make our area a model of development in the long run.

• Is the social work of the local Church extended through the participation in the movement «We consume what we produce»? Is the local Church a leader in promoting the local products?

«This came up from the fact that I was invited as a Bishop of the local Church to officiate in the coordinating committee by the unanimous decision of all the institutions constituting the citizen's movement, which has no self-interest and  no financial administration, everyone helps as a volunteer and it is based only on offers». So it was considered that the Bishop could play an integrating role to make the movement effective and I think that over the last period we have proved that we have succeeded thanks to all the institutions, as my role was simply to try to coordinate and to be present for every meeting and action».

• Is there anything going to change about the refugee crisis after the visit of the three religious leaders in Lesbos ?

«This cannot be assessed directly». What is true, though, is that it is known worldwide that there is a problem in Greece, that it surpasses the Greek borders and that the three religious Christian leaders were present to thank the Greek people, to let the refugees know they are here, to motivate the international forces and mainly the leaders,                           to take the right decisions in the countries at war, where people have no choice but leave their homes».

• Is the local community and the citizens in our area sensitive enough towards the refugees?

«I believe that this is evident all over Greece, not only locally. At a local level I would like to mention that « Estavromenos» which is the flagship of our effort along with «Diakonia», is currently sending clothing and primary necessities to all over Greece, even abroad whenever it is needed. The Greek people have realized that they must support these people. Of course we are always worried about the future and the current events which is absolutely human and fully understood. However, we can overcome these worries and show love, compassion and support to every person coming to our place and the situation will become normal again. The refugees certainly do not want to stay in Greece, but they keep looking for ways to move to other countries and hopefully some day they will return home».

• Where lies the solution of the refugee question, in the exploitation of the Ecclesiastical property, in the government initiatives or both?

«I think that all this about the ecclesiastical property is a myth, the Church of Greece has also faced the consequences of the crisis, so I do not think that something can be done in this field. What needs to be done is to give solutions to the places the refugees and the migrants come from». Greece all alone cannot handle this influx and this is not just a Greek problem. So the answers must be given by the world community, the only one able to help».

• Are the burning questions of the civil partnership and cremation, about which there has been a lot of discussion, secondary as everyone's attention is drawn to the refugees?

«The Church takes its own decisions, does what our faith and tradition ordains, we are direct with how to handle these situations, we will keep supporting the family bond as we know it, which is the unity between a man and a woman, we will support the families and we will act according to our faith and tradition. Of course everyone is free to choose his own way of life».

• There is a lot of controversy on account of the dialogue between the Diocese of Demetrias and the Churches around the world, while fears of a religious «globalization» are expressed by a part of the local community. What is your viewpoint on this specific issue?

«Firstly, we should note that this is a very small minority of people, who unfortunately have been carried away by a phobic syndrome, as If we do not know who and what we are. Orthodoxy is the one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church which knows its truth and fears no dialogue. It is true that through dialogues people get to know the truth. We will proceed with our work, which is the mission of Orthodoxy. We will keep promoting dialogue and indeed the city of Volos is worldwide known, since it is a place where people meet, have a free conversation and I believe that Orthodoxy sends everyone its own message».

• The investment in Nies, which you have supported still remains on paper. What is the viewpoint of the Diocese of Demetrias on the specific issue? Are there any initiatives taken towards the achievement of this goal?

«What is good and fair is that the investors remain here, they have followed the agreement until today and I hope that everyone realizes that what we need especially in Magnesia is to create the conditions for people's reception. I am of the opinion that, If things settle down, we will be happy to see this work being implemented, always in favor of the community and in this way we can offer more social work in our area».

• Is one of the goals of the local Church the opening of job positions through this investment, now that unemployment rates are really high?

«This was taken for granted from the very beginning. It is an investment of 300 million euros, so this means that over 500 job positions will be created and this is only the beginning. If such an investment is going to proceed, there will be a lot more actions. It is sad but now we could have something run in the right way. Let's hope that it is never too late».                                          

• Do the time we are going through and the events occurring mean new developments in our country at a national and international level?

«It is certain that we are going through a very interesting time. I admit that I could not predict that I would experience such a situation in Greece as a Bishop, but I believe that God educates us, tests us and I hope we will be equal to the occasion. These experiences are definitely marking our life»

• What worries you the most looking at the future and what do you wish on the occasion of Easter?

«My wish for the future, as you know, is to remain united. Only our Orthodox faith and our faith in Christ's resurrection is our power and we Greeks every time we were held together, we achieved great things. When disunity and division prevailed we could not make it. So, my wish is to remain united under any circumstances, to struggle altogether and always remember that our hope is the risen from the dead God. The only thing that worries me is disunity».