On the afternoon of Friday 22 November 2019, Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Greece visited a church in Kerameikos, which is an area of Athens located to the northwest of the Acropolis, to meet an elderly couple, 84-year-old Philip and his 82-year-old wife Helen.
For 44 days this elderly couple was left homeless because they were behind in their rent and evicted, so they lived outside in the courtyard of the church, with locals giving them food to survive.
Their plight was reported in the news, with shocking images of Philip and Helen sleeping on the cold pavement of the courtyard with only two blankets, so the Archbishop knew he had to undertake immediate action.
When the Archbishop arrived, the elderly couple found a plastic chair and gave him "hospitality," as much as they could. They expressed to him their hope that one day they will find a "small house" to live in.
The Archbishop in return told them: "Find an apartment and I will take care of all your expenses." He explained to them that as the Archbishop, he takes care of his own expenses, and from now on he will make sure to take care of all their expenses as well, not only their rent, but also their bills and household expenses.
