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HOLY WATER RITE FOR NEW ACADEMIC YEAR AT THE SCHOOL OF SION

On Friday, the 6th/19th of September 2014, H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, performed a holy water rite for the blessing of the new school year 2014-2015, on the Hieratical School on the Hill of Sion.

His Beatitude was accompanied by the President of the School Board and Elder Sacristan, His Eminence Isidoros, Archbishop of Hierapolis; the Elder Secretary-General, His Eminence Aristarchos of Constantina; Archdeacon Evlogios and other Hagiotaphites. Also in attendance was the Consul-General of Greece, Mr Georgios Zacharoudiakis; the School Principal, f. Nikolaos Zervis; the Head of the Boarding House, Hierodeacon Dionysios, teachers and novices at the School. The holy water rite was performed in the Church of the Holy Trinity.

After the blessing, His Beatitude thanked God for the gathering anew of teachers and students, and advised the latter to be diligent and respectful of their teachers, to chant at the Church of the Resurrection and the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, and be ready to serve the Patriarchate, if God should call them to do so.

He went on to thank the Ministry of Education for appointing teachers at the School, and referred to the contribution of the late Principal, f. Photios. The contribution of Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis was also praised, as well as the presence of the Consul-General, who is always supportive of the School’s needs.

In closing, His Beatitude recommended that weaker students be helped by their teachers and that all students show devotion and obedience to the Patriarchate.

In his turn, the Consul-General pointed out the importance of the contribution of parents, students and teachers, adding that because of the small number of students, classes have the advantage of being taught as private lessons.

A brief reception followed at the School’s Hall of Events, during which Principal Nikolaos spoke of the principles by which the School is to abide for the next school year (see video).

 From the Secretariat-General

httpv://youtu.be/JtA50qga4GU