The Catholics of Athens celebrated with splendor the memory of St. Francis of Assisi, the “poor man of God“. The focal point of the celebrations was the historic nave of St. Francis on Agii Anargyroi Street, in the small, homonymous square.

Since Saturday afternoon (4/10), crowds of believers and residents of the neighborhood began to flock to the square, in front of the characteristic statue of the saint bearing the inscription “the poor man of God”, to take part in the worship events.

The highlight of the celebrations was the Archiepiscopal Divine Liturgy, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop of Athens Catholics Fr. Theodoros Kontidis, while the parish priest, Fr. Gulio Gramenia, was also the parish priest.

Immediately afterwards, the icon of St. Francis was carried through the surrounding streets, accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens. The events concluded with the return of the procession to the square, where the “Flame of Peace” was lit in front of the church.

The “Fountain of Peace” was celebrated at the front of the church.
Speaking to the Orange Press Agency, Catholic Archbishop Theodore Kontides spoke of both the importance of St. Francis and the parish’s special bond with the local community.

“St. Francis is a figure who, with nothing in his hands, left such a great imprint on history and culture. Only by his fortitude, by his faith, by his enthusiasm, by the depth of his life, did he leave such an important work,” the Archbishop said, adding that the Saint left as a legacy “attention to the environment and love for the small things in the world and in nature.”

The harmonious coexistence of Catholics and Orthodox in the neighborhood

He made particular reference to the harmonious coexistence of communities in the area. “I think there is a sense of neighbourhood here. The Catholic parish and the fathers who live here have an intimacy and a good relationship with the neighbourhood, with the Orthodox Church and with the public authorities,” he noted.

As he explained, the parish of St. Francis “has such a good relationship with the local parish here of St. Anargyroi. The fathers know each other, there is mutual respect, and an intimacy. It’s a good thing for the area and the district, it’s a wealth.”

Who was St. Francis of Assisi

Known as “the poor man of God“, Saint Francis of Assisi (born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in 1181/1182) was one of the most influential figures of Christianity. The son of a wealthy cloth merchant, he lived a youth full of comforts and amusements, dreaming of glory on the battlefield.

His life changed radically when, at the age of 19, he was captured in the war between Assisi and Perugia and remained a prisoner for a year. This experience, combined with a serious illness and a series of visions, led him to a profound spiritual conversion.

The defining moment came in the temple of St. Damian, when he heard the Crucified One asking him: “Francis, go and renovate my church“. Determined to follow the divine call, he broke with his father, publicly renouncing his property and devoting his life to utter poverty.

Barefoot and dressed in a simple tunic, he began to preach peace, love for all creatures of nature, and a return to the simplicity of the Gospel.

Soon, his teaching attracted the first disciples, with whom he founded the Order of Franciscans, receiving the approval of Pope Innocent III in 1209. At the same time, he inspired St. Clare to found the female order of the “Poor Ladies” (Clarisses).

In 1224, during prayer on Mount La Verna, she received the stigmata, the marks of Christ’s wounds, the first recorded case in the history of the Church. He died on 3 October 1226 and was canonized a saint just two years later, in 1228.