The life of Greek priest Panagiotis Papaioannou who turned from a veterinarian to a priest and moved to Madagascar is fascinating.
It took an unexpected turn for Papaioannou at the age of 63, when a life-changing event made him reconsider everything.
A successful veterinarian with thriving vet practices across Athens and an established well-ran business, he couldn’t even imagine the turn his life journey would take.
Following a serious health issue with his twin grandchildren, Papaioannou had only one hope left: That of God.
How a Greek vet decides to become a priest in Madagascar
One day, the Greek priest had gone to the Agios Vlassios monastery in Trikala near Corinth. There, he had begged God to help his daughter have a child, as he didn’t need anything else in his already happy life.
Following the birth of the twins, who were diagnosed with a serious brain issue, Papaioannou was helpless. He went to church and cried throughout the liturgy, he recently told in an interview with Greek TV.
There, he promised God to dedicate his life to serving God and helping children, if the twins were saved and this is exactly what happened.
The situation in Madagascar
Following the miraculous recovery of his grandchildren, Papaioannou kept his promise and became a priest.
Ordained as a missionary priest of the Greek Orthodox Christian Church, Father Panagiotis began his first 25-day mission to the African island nation, which the Greek priest describes as a land of extreme poverty.
What he saw there was the direct antithesis to the bustling streets of Athens—barefoot residents living in insect-infested homes and markets with streets lined with fly-covered food.
The poverty levels were unimaginable, yet the people were always grateful and happy for whatever they had.
Assigned to assist the local Metropolis, Father Panagiotis joined the significant charitable efforts of the church. As schools are effectively not free in Madagascar, the Greek Orthodox Church has established schools and orphanages to support those in need, particularly children.
The Greek priest conducted services, helped distribute much-needed medicines and oversaw the maintenance of several churches, which are hubs of the local communities. However, it was his interaction with the children that truly made him reconsider his entire life.
Each morning, hundreds of children, from toddlers to teenagers, would gather at the bishopric for a simple breakfast of milk and biscuits, often their only meal of the day.
Father Panagiotis found himself in a sea of smiles and gratitude from the children of Madagascar.
Now balancing a life between Athens and Madagascar, the Greek priest is collecting donations, that can even be sent to his veterinary practises across Athens, to be sent to the children of Madagascar.
The locations for those who wish to donate are the Papaioannou Veterinary practices in central Athens, Markopoulo, Kifissia and Argyroupolis.
