The social and charitable work of the Exarchate of the Armenian Catholics in Greece was versatile right after the arrival of the first group of refugees both in Athens and other parts of the country, who were expatriated due to the extensive massacres committed by the Turks and the Asia Minor Catastrophe in 1922.
The hardworking Armenians contributed significantly to the rapid development of the areas where they settled and especially in Palia Kokkinia and Neos Kosmos. They built churches, schools, an orphanage and a nursing home.
During the 1980s, due to the war in Lebanon and the crisis in Iran, for a long period of time the Exarchate provided a home to several Armenian refugees coming from these countries, including Armenians from Syria.
Since June 2015, after the influx of refugees into our country due to the war in Syria, the Exarchate has hosted Syrian citizens, offering them accommodation, food and social services, thanks to the financing of the international network of the charitable organization Caritas Internationalis, in cooperation with the national organization Caritas Hellas.
Some initiatives taken by the Exarchate include:
-A reception center for refugees, which also focuses on their social integration,.
-A center for mental health designed for vulnerable people, either Greeks or refugees.
-Family counseling office, providing a variety of activities, especially for vulnerable young Greeks, immigrants and refugees.
-Distribution of clothing and furniture to Greeks, immigrants and refugees.
-Founding of the learning center called “Elpida” (hope), aiming at tuition for young students.
-A bakery that sells Armenian, Syrian and Lebanese dishes.
-Five-week summer activities for kids.
-Summer school camp for the young parishioners.
-The Holy Mass is celebrated every Saturday in the Arabic language, aimed at Arabic-speaking Christian immigrants and refugees.