The charitable association «PHILOSTORGIA» was founded - Campaign for the housing of doctors and teachers

With an official letter-invocation, His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera and Antikythera announced the foundation and the opening of the Charitable Association «Philanthropy - Charitable Social Care».

The newly established charitable association presents its main objectives, setting as an absolute priority the protection of Health and Education in Kythera.

As highlighted in the announcement, the action of the Association begins by aiming to address the impasse that has arisen in the staffing of the hospital and school units, as low salaries and high housing costs act as a deterrent to attract doctors and teachers. In this context, Philostorgia aims to immediately create 6 to 8 accommodation units through the repair and arrangement of vacant buildings, such as the old River Children's Station and the old Hospital, so that they can be provided free of charge or at low rent.

Below is the letter:

HELLENIC REPUBLIC
CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION OF KYTHERA
«PHILANTHROPY - SQUEAMISH SOCIAL CARE»

No. of origin: 1 Kythira, 20 March 2026

To the Kythirians and Philokythirians of the immortal and of the earth everywhere

Dear Brothers,

We have passed the holy period of Holy and Great Lent and we are heading towards Holy Easter, the most important of all Christian feasts. From the bottom of our hearts we wish you all, our Greek Orthodox Homeland and the whole world, health, peace and God's blessing.

It is with great joy and elation of soul that we are pleased to officially announce that a vision of years has been realized this time with the foundation and operation of our Public Benefit Charitable Association under the name of «Philanthropy - Charitable Social Care».

By the decision of the Court of First Instance of Piraeus with the registration number 5550/09-10-2025 and after the publication of the Statutes of the Association ’Philosotorgia Chirigotgiotiki Social Care« or the General Assembly of the Association, convened on March 14, 2026, Saturday at 12.00 pm. at its seat (Livadi Cultural Centre) in Ordinary Session, unanimously decided and elected as Ordinary Members of the Board of Directors of the Association for the next four years, in accordance with Article 8 of the Statutes, the following seven (7) members, who were assembled in a body under the following composition: 1. The President of the Church of Kytheri Kytherion, Fr. Panagiotis Megalokonomos (Vice President) 3. Emmanuel Kasimatis of Panagiotis (Treasurer) 4. Despina Papadopoulou (Secretary General) 5. Ioannis Kalligeros of Nikolaos (Advisor) 6. Chrysanthi Emertziadis of Theodoros (Councillor) and 7. Corina Theodorakaki of Efstratios (Councillor).

After the joyful official announcement of the foundation and operation of «Philostorgia» and the above procedures (convening of the General Assembly, election of members of the Board of Directors and their constitution into a body) we consider it necessary to present the aims and objectives of our Charitable Association. In other words: the reason for its existence and the purpose of its ministry.

This answer and question will be solved and satisfied with the following apt and very well-constructed proposal by the very dear and respected Priest and accomplished Doctor Fr. Peter Mariatos:

«The island of Kythera (and Antikythera) has seen significant growth in recent years, mainly due to tourism. For all Kythirians, both those living in Tsirigo and those scattered everywhere, proper progress and population stability - if not population growth - are key issues. This preservation of life in our homeland requires three necessary conditions: 1) good education, 2) excellent health care, and 3) the possibility of adequate support for vulnerable groups of the population. And the third need is covered, almost adequately, both by the excellent operation of our Nursing Home, and by some programs of the Municipality, but also by the selfless effort of private initiatives (e.g. the volunteer group of Metropolis I. Metropolis).

However, in the fields of Education and Health, despite the existence of Schools and - especially - despite the acquisition of a Hospital - a model for Greece, the urgent need for housing both teachers and doctors has arisen. The low salaries of education officials and doctors prevent almost all candidates from choosing Kythera as their place of work. In particular, the staffing problem of the Hospital (the jewel of Kythera) has reached a deadlock: when the doctors« candidates ask »where will we live?« the answer is awkward silence. It is thus demonstrated that the availability of accommodation (free or even low rent) is the primary concern of every manager of our small place. And when we say »responsible", we mean, of course, not only the administrators, the institutions, but also every citizen of Kytheria.

This key problem has arisen while there are many vacant buildings, e.g. the old River Children's Station, the old Hospital, the well-known house in Tsikalaria, etc. If there is unanimity to overcome the - not insignificant - bureaucratic issues, the creation, with appropriate repairs and arrangements, of 6 to 8 apartments, is possible. But «there is no money and no money without it». Therefore, since our newly established Association ’Philostorgia« does not yet have financial resources beyond the meagre contributions of its members, we wanted to make a public appeal to our institutions (Municipality, Domestic, Kytherian Associations), but also to every Kytherian, especially the wealthy, to undertake a Pancythraic crusade/campaign. There is a need for immediate construction of accommodation. They will be a strong incentive for doctors and teachers to choose Kythera».

Health and Education, these are the two main and primary objectives of «Philistorgia». This is also our fervent church. «All who are faithful» we say at the Mass. Those of us who are pure and patriotic Kytherians and Philokytherians, we paraphrase it here. Before we come to the unpleasant realization of the collapse of the two institutions and values in our country.

Wishing from the bottom of my heart prosperity and rapid progress and realization of the noble and philopatric goals of «Philistorgia», as well as a blessed and peaceful Easter, I wish you,

The Metropolitan - President

Seraphim Seraphim of Kythera & Antikythera