DECEMBER-2011: It has been a full year since the fundraising effort in aide of our beloved church in Bouf began and we are happy to report that our endevour was a resounding success! With the help of the funds raised by the residents of Toronto and Melbourne, Australia the altar icons of St. Nicholas have now been restored to their beautiful original form. Please have a look at the photos below to see the amazing transformation that has occurred. Thank you again to everyone who helped by donating to the church. The amazing results show just how much your generosity has accomplished.
Click on the photos to get a closer view. (See 'before' photo here.)
**UPDATE: As of June 25th, 2011 the residents of Toronto had collected a sum of $4520 CDN for the church's renovation project; this sum included a donation of $500 generously donated by the Bouf Society of Toronto. A very sincere thank you to everyone who donated and helped this worthy cause. We can't tell you how much we appreciate your kindness and support. God Bless.
DECEMBER-2010: The village of Akritas, or Bouf as it is also lovingly called, is a place that lives in the heart of everyone who has even the slightest connection with it's mountain-side history. It is a village built by hard-working people who loved their home and raised their children to love it as well. No matter where in the world we find ourselves today, whether in Canada, Australia or somewhere else, for those of us who come from this beautiful place our love of our home is not diminished by distance or by time.
For those who have been lucky enough to make a visit recently you'll know that while the landscape is as gorgeous as ever, the mass emmigration from the village in the last five decades has taken its toll. Houses left empty for years have now begun to crumble and neighbourhoods that were once thriving and full of life now lay abandoned.
Luckily, due to the hard work of the few village residents who have remained this has not been the fate of the village's main church, St. Nicholas. The church has been well preserved, receiving the necessary care and maintenance required by a building that is over 130 years old. That is true for the entire building except for the area behind the altar. Unfortunately, this area has not been repainted since the church's construction in the 1870s. The goal of this fund-raising effort, through the help of those all over the world who have a special place in their hearts for our village, is to gather as much as possible toward the goal of 5000 Euro which is the estimated cost to restore the altar room.
We ask that you give a little if you can, and if not please spread the word to those you think might be interested. Funds are also being collected from the village residents themselves. Together we hope to bring the church's altar paintings back to their original glory.
Thank you for your attention.
