Wildfires raged across the hills surrounding Athens this week.

The fire destroyed holiday resorts east of Athens and killed at least 79 people. More than 700 survivors were rescued by boat and taken to the port of Rafina through the night early Tuesday.

Katerina Vasilopoulos and her sister Pam Roussos, of Greenlawn, are praying for relatives in their native Greece.

“It's extremely frightening. Our relatives who live in Corinthe outside of Athens, the fires came up to right next to their house,” said Vasilopoulos. “It was extremely touch-and-go for a moment. They were fortunate. They did not lose their home. But other people did.”

Parishioners of St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Shrine Church in Greenlawn gathered for a special service Wednesday night. The bishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese made a special appearance to offer prayers for those affected by the wildfires.

There will also be special prayer services for those affected by the wildfires on July 29 and Aug. 5.