Recently, we had the blessed opportunity to visit the Holy Land where our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God became flesh for the salvation of mankind.
Two days before leaving, we met in the Old City of Jerusalem a wonderful soul who made a powerful impression on us. She is Sister Marina, a Romanian nun living in Palestine, near Nazareth, the town where our Lord resided for nearly 30 years. She belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem under a Palestinian abbot and offers religious and humanitarian assistance to various Arab Christian Orthodox communities in spite of receiving numerous daily death threats from the Muslims.
She was a wonderful guide for me in the Old City of Jerusalem and thanks to her we were blessed to be able to venerate not only the life giving Tomb of Christ, but many other wonderful places like Christ's prison, the pool of Bethesda, the house of St. Anna, where Holy Virgin Mary was born, the house of Mary, Virgin's Mary' grandmother, and much more.
Before parting ways, we asked her if we can help her in any way, having in mind any health related need that she might have. Of course she humbly answered us that all her medical problems are taken care of by our Lord and His Mother, but we insisted, realizing she had an eye condition. She finally admitted that she was trying to find a way to have an eye surgery in Romania, because the cost in Israel is prohibited (extremely high).
We thus found that she needs a cataract eye surgery (both eyes) which in Romania will cost her about 1600 euros (2383$ AU) (surgery alone is 1300 euros + 300 prescription glasses). Of course, she can’t afford it because she receives a monthly financial help for her religious services of around $200 from which she has to pay her food and daily needs. Any amount raised above that will go to her travel expenses and accommodation from and to the hospital.
She is not aware of this charitable act and will be notified by Panagiotis after the completion of the fundraising.
Her serlf-renunciation and humility touched us and we cannot see how else we can help such a wonderful soul who is selflessly doing what she does every day in such a Holy Place.
For every and single one who will support this fundraising I am offering for free, one signed digital full size image, of my work, Royalties Free, for any use. You will find the galleries here http://www.panosphotographia.com/work or in my social media.
In Christ,
Panagiotis
May God be with her and all people contribute to such causes