RIP Papa Stratis

As we are losing so many precious lives in the Mediterranean, we also lost one of our greatest fighters for them in Greece. Yesterday Father Efstratios Dimou, also known as “Papa Stratis”, has passed away. The Greek Orthodox priest was known for his openness to everyone in need, "religion shouldn’t be an obstacle in helping people", he once said.
With the help of young local people on the island of Lesvos, through the charity Agkalia (Greek for "Hug") he helped found, he has been providing thousands of refugees with clothing, food, water and a place to sleep over the last few years.
“What I see are people. People in need. I cannot turn them away, nor can I kick them, nor imprison them I cannot send them back to where they came from. Nor can I throw them in the sea to drown. I have seen small children with blisters on their feet and pregnant women holding their bellies and crying in pain. These people are not migrants, they do not choose to come here. They are children of war, fleeing bullets. They are life-seekers, they search for life, hope and the chance to live another day.”
We need more people like him across Europe. He will be missed.
Rest in power, Papa Stratis.

A Good Samaritan in GreeceAs we are losing so many precious lives in the Mediterranean, we also lost one of our greatest fighters for them in Greece. Yesterday Father Efstratios Dimou, also known as “Papa Stratis”, has passed away. The Greek Orthodox priest was known for his openness to everyone in need, "religion shouldn’t be an obstacle in helping people", he once said.With the help of young local people on the island of Lesvos, through the charity Agkalia (Greek for "Hug") he helped found, he has  been providing thousands of refugees with clothing, food, water and a place to sleep over the last few years.“What I see are people. People in need. I cannot turn them away, nor can I kick them, nor imprison them I cannot send them back to where they came from. Nor can I throw them in the sea to drown. I have seen small children with blisters on their feet and pregnant women holding their bellies and crying in pain. These people are not migrants, they do not choose to come here. They are children of war, fleeing bullets. They are life-seekers, they search for life, hope and the chance to live another day.”We need more people like him across Europe. He will be missed.Rest in power, Papa Stratis.
Posted by Europe says OXI on Thursday, 3 September 2015