Pedopolis, under the name “Paidikai Exochai” (Children’s Retreats), was founded in 1937 with the aim of caring for the ailing bodies, providing entertainment, and offering summer rest to hundreds of children of the Greek Minority. The idea of establishing the Children’s Retreats was conceived by the founders of this commendable project: Athanasios Koukoulis, Alexandros Ananiadis, Dimitrios Plakas, and Dimitrios Zervoudakis. At that time, the young members of the Greek Minority were to be hosted at the National Orphanage of Prinkipos. Unfortunately, World War II would intervene, and the institution would suspend its activities.

After the end of the war, specifically in 1946, the need to complement educational activities during the summer months necessitated the reopening of the institution. Thus, the first Coordinating Council was formed, under the Presidency of Alexandros Ananiadis and the Directorship of Eleni Tsilogiannopoulou.

In the year 1952, Pedopolis was relocated to the island of Kinali, at the wish of the late Patriarch Athenagoras. That year, a sacred desire filled the soul of Athenagoras to help the young women of the Greek Minority, so that they could become worthy future mothers and homemakers. Thus, the Young Women’s Shelter was established, with its own Coordinating Committee, and initially housed at the Holy Monastery of Sotiros Christou on Prinkipos.

In 1960, the decision was made to establish the “Association of Parents for the Assistance of Needy and Ailing Children,” in order to jointly undertake the responsibility and activities of the Patriarchal Camp of Pedopolis and the Young Women’s Shelter.

Euphrosyne Bormpologlou was elected President of the Association. In 1964, the Young Women’s Shelter was relocated to the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior Christ on the island of Kinali. However, winter activities also began, including exhibitions, theatrical performances, excursions, foreign language classes, and more.

Taking the baton from the most gracious ladies of the outgoing Board, which offered its services for many years—Mary Apostolidou Tsakirgian (President), Eleni Simitsioglou, and Danae Charizanou—we strive to breathe new life and vision into the Association, so that Pedopolis may continue to provide meaningful work and preserve the Greek tradition in the consciousness of our children.

This year, marking the completion of 65 years since the founding of the Association, one of the first initiatives of the new Board in this direction is the renaming of the Association to the “Philanthropic and Cultural Association of Pedopolis.”

The members of the new Board of Directors are:

President: Andonis Filippidis

Vice President: Diamantis Komvopoulos

Gen. Secretary: Zoi Touratsoglou

Assistant General Secretary: Johnny Kourtesolou

Treasurer: Konstantinos Pouskiouloglou