FIJI: Greek Orthodox Church expands - Orthodox church opens safe home PHOTO

THE Greek Orthodox Church opened a new church at Saweni, Lautoka last week .

This is the third church opened in Fiji by the order next to the Sacred Church of St Paraskevi holy missionary centre in Sabeto, Nadi, and the Sacred Church of Saints Athanaisios and Nicholaos in Labasa.

The opening of the St Tabitha Orphanage and Safe Home outside Lautoka is poised to help relieve the plight of displaced children and women in the Western division.

The facilities were opened alongside the Greek Orthodox Church's new Holy Trinity Church at Saweni and attracted a large turnout of well-wishers.

"We have eight boys and six girls, from Sabeto, Saweni and from families who have sent us their children after looking into their situations," said Sister Gabrielle, who oversees operations.
She said these were children from large families whose parents needed help.

A large contingent of church members from the church's international community flew in to mark the occasion, with trinkets, paintings and personalised accessories created and sent from children members of the Church in Australia.

Sister Gabrielle said children at the home would be stationed there full time, while temporary cases would be looked after at the safe home with their mothers.

"We officially open today (yesterday) but have been looking after children at Sabeto and at the monastery until we were endorsed by the Social Welfare Ministry to bring them here."

Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation permanent secretary Rupeni Fatiaki said the facilities were a culmination of discussions that initially begun in 2010 after the church approached them to establish an orphanage in Fiji.