The Greek Orthodox Church has called on the faithful to unite in prayer for people affected by major wildfires that are impacting multiple regions of Greece, as well as for firefighters, rescue workers, and volunteers continuing to fight the blazes.

In an appeal issued to clergy and parishioners, the Metropolis of Etolia and Acarnania urged special supplications during church services throughout the Dormition Fast. “Once again, our homeland is being tested by a severe trial caused by destructive fires, which brings sorrow to all of us,” Metropolitan Damascios of Etolia and Acarnania said in the statement.

According to the Metropolis, after each supplicatory service with a canon to the Most Holy Theotokos—held during the period leading up to the Feast of the Dormition—special prayers will be offered for everyone harmed by the fires, for families who lost loved ones, and for those selflessly taking part in firefighting efforts.

The Church also urged prayers for God’s help for firefighters, rescuers, and volunteers who risk their lives to protect people, homes, and the natural environment. Special petitions were requested for those who lost relatives in the tragedy.

“May the Lord strengthen all those on the front line fighting the fire, console those who have suffered grave losses, and grant strength, hope, and the swift restoration of what has been affected,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the situation concerning a large fire in West Attica is gradually stabilizing. Fire service reports indicate the most active area remains between Psasa and Loumba, where separate pockets of fire continue to burn. On the island of Andros, firefighters are reportedly focusing mainly on smaller hot spots, including possible flare-ups around the Panachranta monastery—founded by the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros Phokas in the 10th century.

Experts warn that re-ignition on areas already burned is among the main threats. Hundreds of firefighters, ground response teams, and aircraft remain deployed. Firefighting efforts also include foreign specialists who have arrived in Greece under the European Civil Protection Mechanism.

Satellite estimates from Copernicus indicate the area affected by fires in Attica and Boeotia totals about 134,500 stremmas (approximately 13,400 hectares). Of that, nearly 31,000 stremmas are tied to a fire in the Xyromomi area of Boeotia, while more than 103,000 stremmas concern the Porto-Germeno region in Attica and Boeotia.

Updates from Greece’s national weather observatory, meteo.gr, also highlight the long-term scale of recent wildfire losses. From 2018 to 2026, six major fires in the mainland part of West Attica destroyed more than 48,000 hectares. The assessment was updated after the recent fire near Porto-Germeno, based on European Copernicus and EFFIS data. Specialists noted that the final burned area will be refined once the response to the current blaze is fully completed.