“Stations” in churches and parishes, meditations and actions of charity: Lent in the dioceses of Greece is characterized by a series of meetings between “pastors” and “local churches”, explains the general secretary of the Greek bishops, Msgr. Nikolaos Printezis, archbishop of Naxos-Tinou. “I my diocese I will make a visit (station) to the 30 parishes scattered over the island; I will pray with the local communities and have meetings with parish priests and with the laypeople who work in the parishes. In this way we will prepare for Easter. On the second Sunday of Lent, a “Sunday of charity’ is planned, during which our faithful are called to help alleviate the needs of those living in poverty”. As has long been the case, the Greek Catholic Church celebrates Lent, and consequently Easter too, according to the Greek-Orthodox calendar. An ecumenical spirit, but also practical needs, have led to Lent beginning (as this year) on Wednesday 8 March and Easter being celebrated on 23 April. “Our dream says Printezis is that of celebrating Easter together throughout the Church. And it is for this too that we are praying”.
