Controversial raffle lands Metropolitan in hot water

Despite being deemed illegal by multiple government authorities, including the Ministry of Interior, the Department of Urban Planning, the Department of Environment, and others, the Metropolitan of Constanța released raffle tickets worth 10 euros each for financial support towards the construction of the Saint Ephraim and Catherine Church in the Natura area of Cape Greco. The draw, scheduled for May 7th, offers a grand prize of a 1,500-euro Golden Saint Christopher Medallion.

The release of these photos on social media sparked intense reactions, with citizens questioning how the Metropolitan obtained the necessary permits for the raffle. The Administrative Officer of the Ministry of Finance, Michalis Papadopoulos, speaking to 24News, stated that the matter would be referred to the Police, as "the issuer is not specified in the raffle. When a raffle is issued, a Association or Committee is mentioned and it is obligatory to specify. Here we have a raffle that is both a little raffle and a little donation."

Mr. Papadopoulos mentioned that the Ministry of Finance, as the competent authority for issuing raffles, immediately conducted an investigation and found no application for the issuance of a permit for this specific raffle. "We have contacted the Metropolitan of Constanța and Ammochostos and will take all necessary actions. First and foremost, we need to clarify if this raffle is being circulated, the issuer will be reported to the Police, and must appear before a court," emphasized Mr. Papadopoulos.