Honorary awards to our fellow citizens who distinguished themselves for their social action and contribution to their fellow man
In a special ceremony, held today at the Presidential Palace, the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, presented honors to our fellow citizens, who have been distinguished for their social action and contribution to humanity.
These are honors, which were awarded with the presidential decree of 18.1.2022 issued following a proposal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In particular, the following were honored:
– With the Brigadier General of the Order of the Phoenix, businessman Christos Fokas,
– With the Golden Cross of the Order of the Phoenix, doctor-surgeon Georgios Vrakas,
– With the Golden Cross of the Order of the Phoenix, the founder of Axion Hellas Vassilios Pateras,
– With the Golden Cross of the Order of the Phoenix, the volunteer and initiator of the Social Kitchen “The Other Man”, Konstantinos Polychronopoulos,
– With the Silver Cross of the Order of the Phoenix, police officer Christos Petmezas,
– With the Golden Cross of the Order of Efpoia, the doctor, hematologist, Eleni Gavrielakis,
– With the Silver Cross of the Order of Charity, nurse Maria Androulakis, and
– With the Silver Cross of the Order of Efpoia, the teacher, Maria Tsialera.
During her address, the President of the Republic underlined her special joy for the fact that she is welcoming to the Presidential Palace, to honor our fellow citizens, who distinguished themselves, each in their field, for their contribution to society as a whole.
As Mrs. Sakellaropoulou mentioned, “since the day of the issuance of the presidential decree, by which these distinctions were awarded, a long period of time has already passed, in which many things have intervened. I hope that soon we will be given the opportunity to honor other worthy people from the civil society, who in these difficult times contribute quietly, with selflessness and dedication, to the cause of the common good”.
In particular, he noted that “Today, we are removing from the field of science two outstanding figures of medicine” and added that “The associate professor of surgery and director of the kidney and pancreas transplant department at the University of Florida, USA George Vrakas he is a combat surgeon, a pioneer researcher in the field of transplants, multi-awarded for his ground-breaking studies.”
Subsequently, he underlined that “the assistant professor of hematology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Eleni Gavrielaki is dedicated to laboratory and clinical research with an emphasis on hematopoietic cell transplantation, new cell therapies and thrombotic microangiopathy.
In the same context, he pointed out that “together with them, we honor the nurse Marinena Androulakis, inspirer and designer, together with her colleagues, of a research on new nursing care protocols for kidney disease patients, with the aim of prolonging and improving their quality of life”.
Continuing, he emphasized that “from the field of culture and education, we honor the businessman and great benefactor of the Kapodistrias Museum in Corfu Christos Fokaskeen scholar of local history and guardian of the Ionian Culture”, as well as “Maria Tsialera, a dedicated teacher who for four years kept the school alive on the small island of Arkia, in the heart of the Aegean”.
Finally, he praised the humanitarian contribution of Mrsi social action, help and care to the most vulnerable members of our society, who demonstrate, three of our fellow citizens, in different fields each.
In particular, he emphasized that the Father Basilvisionary and founder of the non-governmental organization Axion Hellas, has been supporting our poor people in the most remote and inaccessible areas of our country with valuable medical and pharmaceutical services and cultural and educational programs.
Also referred to Konstantinos Polychronopoulosfounder of the social kitchen “The other person”, which since 2011 provides meals to thousands of our fellow human beings, who are in need and helps families who lack resources.
And finally, to the police officer, special guard of the DIAS team Christos Petmezawho saved our fellow citizen, who suffered a heart attack in the middle of the road, by providing him with first aid, and thus imbued his character with readiness and altruism.
In conclusion, Mrs. Sakellaropoulou thanked them all for their multidimensional contribution and underlined that their action gives social coexistence an essential content and serves as an example, while she urged them to continue their important work, with the same faith and perseverance.
Source: Skai
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