Greeting at the beginning of the 1st International Congress

1st International Congress on "Romiosini through the centuries".
Amphitheatre of the War Museum of Athens
Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st of May 2009.

Greeting by Mr. Peter Kiriakidis, Manager of N.G.O. "Romiosini".

Your Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Mr. Theophilos, Most Venerable Bishops, distinguished invited, ladies and gentlemen, friends you all.

Full of a great joy we welcome you to the first international congress that is organized by the Non-Governmental Organization "Romiosini". The N.G.O. constitutes an organization of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and it was founded in May 2008 in Athens having its seat in the Exarchate of the Most Holy Sepulchre.

And, please, allow me to accept that I consider the work I offer as a manager of the N.G.O. "Romiosini", as the greatest honor in my life.

Our goal is double: one branch is the support to the institution of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Holy Hagiotaphite Brotherhood to its multi-faceted spiritual, cultural and historical work they put in effect.

The listing of all the needs of Holy monasteries, pilgrimages, tombs and churches as well as the maintenance and restoration of all them. In addition to all above mentioned the founding of schools and departments, and whatever else is required for the spiritual progress as well as the needs of our Patriarchate on the Holy Land.

The other branch is the fact that the N.G.O. "Romiosini" has a broader dimension. It embraces all our Romiosini. It accepts that the expression of individuals and persons is our national tradition, the well - established Hellenic - Orthodox tradition, the totality of values on our nation that go from generation to generation and from one period of the Hellenic History to the next one.

All these values, being expressed in contemporary terms, constitute the social solidarity, the Culture, the Letters, the Art and Sciences.

Really, such values are impressed in the Hellenic mind that was referred by His Beatitude in our recent meeting. This, just, the Hellenic mind has to be energized and valued properly. Our goal should always be, the maintaining of such an incredible heir to the Sacred Land.

Such scope should constitute our holy and blessed consignment. So, I do believe and hope that the N.G.O. "Romiosini" should contribute to its best, for the fulfillment of such goal.

Finally, should you allow me to end with the verses of the Cypriot poet: "Romiosini is in race co participant of the world. Romiosini should not be lost even if the whole world finishes once upon a day".

Thank you very much.