English

"THE EVANGELIST MARK"
ORTHODOX ECCLESIASTICAL FOUNDATION
FOR APPLIED SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
PO Box: 60060, Thermi 57001, Thessaloniki-Greece"
TEL: 0030-2310-462.744, 0030-2310-461.145 FAX: 0030-2310-463.455
e-mail: idrima-at-agmarkos.gr

"Evaggelistis Markos" is an ecclesiastical Foundation, under the blessing of Bishop Nikodemos of Kassandria, though not funded neither by the Greek Othodox Church, nor the Greek Goverment. "Evaggelistis Markos" is recognized by these bodies however, and operates on the basis of a board of which I've been named president. The Foundation was established by myself and Presbytera Stella by donating both property and buildings to establish this ministry. We direct the work of "Evaggelistis Markos" without salary. "Evaggelistis Markos" is supported through the donations of friends who are aware of the ministry, supporting it economically and otherwise.

Our goal is to assist pregnant women in crisis. Women in need coming to "Evaggelistis Markos" are offered shelter, food, medical care and emotional support at no cost. We endeavor to help her locate the father of the child, relatives or some other caring friend to be a support to her, according to her wishes. We help her find some sort of occupation in order to keep herself busy while she is awaiting the time of birth. We provide assistance and support for her at the time she gives birth and for a while thereafter. We try, whenever possible, to reconcile the unwed mother and the child's father and in some cases the two marry, providing a more stable enviroment for the upbringing of the child. In other cases, the mother may choose to raise the child on her own or with her parents' help or as a last resort, she may give the child up for adoption.

Sometimes we shelter pregnant women, either married or divorced, who have either one or two children who for some rea-son have no shelter. We endeavor to assist these women and their children by enrolling them in schools, locating employment, etc.
We have a great desire to help many more women, in partcular to discourage them from submitting to unwanted abortions. This is our twenty-fourth year of service to women in crisis and we know from experience that protecting and helping these women is meeting a genuine need here. Our prayer is that the work will continue and expand.
We hope, therefore, that our ministry will gain more friends-people who will undestand and appreciate this difficult work. Our earnest request is that if you wish to help us you can send your donations to the above address