Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA star, was baptised along with his brother Alexandros on October 28, 2012, by Father Evangelos Ghanas, a beloved Greek Orthodox priest at Agios Meletios Church in the Sepolia area of Athens.
Their baptism took place on “OXI Day,” the second most important national holiday in Greece, showcasing Giannis’ patriotism and respect for the Greek flag.
As reported in Ethnos Father Evangelos spoke about his enduring relationship with Giannis and his family, which began when the basketball phenomenon was young. The years Giannis spent at Agios Meletios Church and Sunday School in the impoverished Sepolia neighbourhood played a crucial role in shaping his character and instilling a sense of ethics and optimism for the future.
Father Evangelos said that despite growing up in poverty, “Giannis never held a grudge against society; instead, he exhibited a remarkable sense of innocence, hope, and fearlessness in real life.”
“He is a very giving human being with a firm footing in his beliefs, both on and off the court.”
Sunday School was particularly important to Giannis, and he loved attending it. The entire Antetokounmpo family had a strong connection with the church, with Father Evangelos being admired by all the parishioners for his compassionate stance toward the children of migrants and his unwavering opposition to racism.
Giannis fondly remembered Father Evangelos’ support during his childhood, emphasized how much the priest had helped him and other kids at Sunday School.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s relationship with Father Evangelos Ghanas, the Greek Orthodox priest at Agios Meletios Church, played a significant role in shaping the NBA star’s character and values.
The NBA MVP said in a previous interview, “When I was a kid, I went to Sunday School and there was a man there who was helping us a lot. You cannot imagine how much he helped.” and he fondly remembers the support he received during his formative years.
